The Alpha’s Heir
Chapter 13

*** Salma ***

“When we move to our house, you can have your bedroom any way you want it. I want you to know that it is as much as your home as it is mine and Ale’s.” Ricky is worrying me. He is withdrawn and I don’t know how to make it better for him. Why the f**k didn’t papa or Dominga leave an instruction manual? I am out of my depth and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I don’t know the first thing about an eight-year-old boy and what his needs are. I keep looking about for an adult to help, but it’s me… I’m the adult and it’s up to me to look after Ricky. That has to start with replaceing out what is wrong with him and how I can fix it, so he is happy again.

“Can I have my PlayStation?” he asks earnestly, and although I want to smile, I try not to. His PlayStation is his pride and joy, his comfort blanket and best friend all in one.

“Yes, of course you can. All your stuff will come with you because that’ll be our home forever.” The fleeting look of sadness is there and gone within milliseconds, so fast that I almost miss it. “Ricky, you do want to live with me, don’t you?” The expression on his face changes so fast and my heart pounds when big fat tears fall down his cheeks.

“But you’re looking for my mami, and you’re going to send me back to live with her.” He wails and I curse myself for not being more careful in front of him.

“Ricky, Ricky. I promise you. Listen to me, I promise you on papa’s grave that if you never want to see her again, you don’t have to. I am looking for your mami. I need to ask her some questions, but I will never ever let her take you away from me if you don’t want to go with her. I want you to stay here with me, forever. Both Ale and I want that. Okay?”

I pull him onto my lap and cuddle him close to me. “What about when you get your own kid?” he mumbles. Bless his tender heart, he has been worrying a lot about this.

“Ale and I do want a baby, but that would make you Uncle Ricky… Tío Ricky. I need you here to help me and to help Ale too. This is our family now, Ricky: me, you, Ale, and any babies that come along too. I love you, Hermanito (little brother) and your place is here with me, and it always will be.”

“Just don’t send me back to live with her, please. It makes me scared.” I wonder why my little brother is so scared. I know his mother abandoned him but the way he shakes with fear has me riled; no child should ever live in fear.

“Will you tell me why?” I look at him as he lowers his eyes. I wish he would open up to me, but this boy has trust issues, and it makes me want his mother’s head even more. What the f**k has she done to my little brother?

“She goes out and leaves me for a long time. And sometimes I get scared and sometimes it’s cold and there is no food. I don’t want to go back to her, Sal, I want to stay with you and Ale.” My little brother can front out in front of the best of them. He already has papa’s poker face and in a couple of years he’ll have his nerves of steel too. I will ensure he does. However, the little boy in front of me is in desperate need of nurturing and loving. He’s been neglected and hurt and hasn’t felt safe. I will make it my life’s work as his big sister to ensure he grows to know what it means to love and be loved and, most importantly, to belong.

Once Ricky settles down and is happily playing on FIFA, I call Ale, who is out meeting with Tony Serrano. “Is there any news?” I asked him impatiently.

“Chula, I was just about to call you, get your bag ready. Tell my mother and father to watch Ricky. I have Dominga cornered and will bring her to you as soon as I can.”

As Ale delivers his news, I watch Ricky innocently playing and a pang of guilt jabs at me, forcing me to take notice. I want to do what is right, but what if killing Dominga hurts Ricky? Dominga did kill our papa after all, but she is still Ricky’s mami when all is said and done.

It seems I developed a conscience and ethics and morality when I got a little boy to love, and I have never been so conflicted in my whole entire life.

*** Preston ***

My anger at Amber’s conviction is short-lived. Yes, the system is all fvcked up but… Amber is free. We are free to move on with our lives. We are having our Mating Ceremony at long last, and tonight is the beginning of forever for us.

We hold hands as we walk back to our room. After the uncertainty of the day, I just want to get her back home where she belongs, right here with me.

I want to spend all night making love to her, I want her all to myself just for tonight. I tell her what I want to happen and her lips curl in a knowing smile.

“What are you planning to do to me, Preston?” she asks in feigned innocence as she quickly discards her jacket and shoes.

Unclipping her red hair, I let the wild curls flow freely down her back. “You look good enough to eat, baby,” I murmur against her cheek. I can’t resist the urge to devour her soft lips and nibble gently on her lower one. Amber has the most delicious lips I’ve ever tasted. I will never get enough of her.

I k**s her more and more until she is breathless, all the while removing both of our clothes. I stop only briefly to look at her when she is just in her bra and panties, the black lace covering my prizes from my view. I take great pleasure in removing them slowly, causing her to whimper in response.

We k**s again after she pulls my shirt over my head, giving up on the buttons completely. I then work my way down her neck, biting my mark on her neck before lowering her to the centre of our bed.

Amber’s skin is warm and supple, and it feels like silk under my palms and fingers. Her ample bre*asts feel soft and full in my rough hands. Her thighs are toned and smooth, and the sweetness at the junction is simply divine.

Her skin is warm, but it’s not soft. She’s toned and muscular, showing she is strong and healthy. She has a hint of freckles on her nose, they are cute as f**k.

I l!ck her body in a very slow and deliberate fashion. I l!ck every inch of her body returning repeatedly to her bre*asts. I nibble on those s3xy, round globes, paying particular attention to the rosy peaks, and I k**s them and svck them until she is writhing beneath me. “Please, Preston, I need you inside me, now,” she m0ans. She grinds against me, craving the friction against her wet pvssy and swollen cl!t, but I want to tease her some more before I finally impale my hard c0ck inside her.

Amber m0ans and whimpers when I move lower, replaceing her entrance with my fingers and her cl!t with my tongue. She continues to grind as I eat her. I take my time to really work her up into a frenzy.

Within a few minutes, her thighs are wet and slick with her juices and her breathing quickens. Her m0ans are throaty and soft. “Preston. Now, please,” she begs again.

Looking upon my Red, my beauty, this really does feel like the beginning of the future for us. “Condom?” I ask her because we are still to discuss what our plans will be, but she knows where I am. I want a family; I don’t want to prevent that any longer.

Zack howls in joy in my head when she refuses the condom. “No more condoms, Preston, we both want this, right?”

I can only nod at her, overwhelmed with love and longing for both her and the promise of the future. It is ours, at long last it can all be ours.

My c0ck is throbbing, I need her so badly. I need her desperately like I need the air I breathe.

I enter her slowly. “Oh, yeah,” Amber m0ans. “F**k, you are so good. Don’t stop, Preston. It feels so much better like this, I can really feel you.” She is so tight and hot; her pvssy is the best place to be. I want to pound in and out of her hard and fast, but I also want this to last. I want to make this pleasure last for as long as possible; forever, in fact.

I am thrusting deep and slowly, and she is meeting me with every single thrust. I love the feel of her velvety folds, her tight and wanting hole that both accepts me and constricts me, sending overwhelming sensations throughout my entire body. A single thrust has me gr0aning with pleasure as I tingle from my temples right down to my toes from the unencumbered connection with my mate.

She is slick with her juices, and she squeezes my c0ck inside her, and every time it gets better and better. I don’t know if I can last much longer. It feels far too good. Her body continually writhes against mine, she wants more from me, wanting all of me, but I keep a slow and easy pace. I know she won’t take long to come, and I am right.

“I’m coming, Preston. F**k, I can’t stop.” She m0ans loudly and gr0ans as I quicken my pace, stroking her deep inside with each thrust. Her body shakes and quivers against mine, she is coming hard and I am about to explode too. I can’t hold on any longer.

I thrust into her one last time. “F**k, Amber.” She is a sight to see, her hair is all messy around her head, her breasts are bouncing with each thrust, and she makes the most beautiful m0ans I have ever heard. She is impossibly beautiful and I am so lucky to have her. She is mine and I want to shout it from the treetops.

I tilt my head back and gr0an as I release deep inside of her. “I love you, Amber. You’re my whole world.”

She smiles lovingly back at me. “I love you, too.”

I will never tire of this.

The following morning, Aiden mindlinks us both. I know you will want to plan your Mating Ceremony, but I want to go and confront father. It’s time to lay all our demons to rest.

Amber nods to me. “He’s right, Preston. I want everything dealt with before we take our vows. It’s time for father to face the consequences of his cruel behaviour.”

She is resigned and fierce and ready to deal with the past.

It is with the greatest pride, I think: That’s my girl!

*** Aiden ***

Relief continually washes over me. Amber is safe and now I can go after my father and once I deal with him, I can fully focus on Eva, Summer, and the new baby. I can concentrate on the future.

Even though going home means going to sleep in the dungeon, I am eager to get back to my mate. We’ve yet to have a moment’s peace since my return from Scotland. I am going crazy with need for her and yet our little girl will be asleep in the bed next to us and so there is little chance of anything more than a k**s and a cuddle. But that is okay. That will suffice until I can have some quality time with Eva. Just being near her completes my world. It is the greatest privilege to sleep beside her and hold her all through the night.

Amber and Preston practically run to their apartment as soon as we arrive back onto our territory and not so long-ago, Preston would have had two black eyes from me for even thinking about my sister. However, Amber has grown over these past couple of months. She radiates happiness and contentment now that the court case is over and I can’t help smiling when I see how happy they are together.

As Alpha, it is my responsibility to ensure the well-being of all my pack members and so I stop by the hospital before I return home. I want to check in with Max, he has had a shocking few days. The surprise of replaceing his mate, who is human and pregnant, and then watching her as she almost lost her life protecting my little girl caused him plenty of upset and distress. However, since Melanie has regained consciousness and the healers confirm she will make a full recovery, Max appears calmer and less anxious.

When he tried to resign from the Gamma position, my heart fell into my boots. Eva has already told me she wants to keep Max and give him the Gamma position permanently. I will literally do anything to keep him here. Eva has plans for where he and Melanie can live and how we can slowly explain to Melanie that we are werewolves.

The nurses show me straight to Melanie’s private side room, but I don’t go in when I realise I would be interrupting a tender moment between them. I watch them through the window in the door and smile when Max fluffs up Melanie’s pillow and helps her to sit upright in bed. He places a chaste k**s on her forehead before sitting down beside her and helping her with her crossword. I catch the fleeing looks of admiration from Melanie and the gaze of adulation plastered all over Max’s face.

As much as I want to talk to Max, I will not interrupt this precious moment between him and his mate. The first steps are the most important in building up trust and respect with your respective mate. I know because I have only just gone through this phase myself. Eva held back as much as she could but the bonds and attraction between us were insurmountable and being able to trust me is what helped move us to the next level. I hope Max is as fortunate as I have been.

Eva will be delighted to know that Max and Melanie are bonding. She feels extremely guilty for bringing Melanie here in the first place and that Melanie was protecting Summer when she was hurt. To top it off, it is Eva’s half-brother who carried out the attack. Eva blames herself but I know, and everyone else knows, this is all Junior Woodward’s doing.

I had forgotten that Alpha Xavier and Luna Lydia were still here with Eva and waiting to talk to me and I gr0an internally when I see them. I just want five minutes alone with Eva, just a few minutes to truly connect with her. I greet them cordially. I’m not ungrateful since they are here looking out for what is mine and I owe them, but I just want a little time, just me and Eva and Summer, of course.

“Daddy!” My heart swells with pride when I hear my little girl. She runs to me and I lift her up when she reaches me. “Daddy come back.”

“Of course, I came back. My girls are here, I had to come back.” She is such a sweet, easy-going pup, she giggles after planting a wet k**s on my cheek and then squirms to get back down again. I place her back down on her feet and watch in wonder as she zooms off to her next activity.

Eva waits for me by the bars of her cell. The scent of her ar0usal hits me full force as soon as I see her and my own desire threatens to overwhelm me too. God, I miss us so much.

Regardless of the audience, I pull her to me through the bars and k**s her passionately. “I’ve missed you so much, Shortie. Goddess, I hate seeing you in this f*****g cell.” I tell her once I push slightly away from her.

“Aiden, some of the manifestations have healed!” she tells me excitedly. Relief exudes from her, and I just want to scoop her up and entwine my body with hers. I want to share everything and never be far away from her.

“Tell me everything, but first I think your father wants to talk to us both.”

Xavier looks at me sheepishly. “The thing is, son; we need to secure the future of The Moon Stone Pack. We now know that, at the very least, Junior will be imprisoned. I think the Mafia will ensure he loses his head for what he has done.”

Although both Eva and I had expected this talk, we weren’t expecting it so soon. Now is not the right time for Eva to take her rightful place. She hasn’t had any training.

I expect him to ask Eva to start Alpha training and as much as I don’t want her to go away, I want to support her. She doesn’t feel competent or confident right now, and she is under house arrest for the Goddess’ sake!

“Junior has put us all in peril. My leadership will be called into question for not keeping my own son in line. If I don’t step down soon, they will strip me. I cannot have that. This is my pack, and Woodwards have been the Alphas of the Moon Stone for centuries.”

If I was in his position, I would feel the same. The pack will be taken over by a stranger as directed by the Werewolf Council.

“Evangelina is my successor, but given her current predicament and the fact that she cannot leave her cell for the time being, we need to make alternative plans.” This is what I wasn’t expecting.

“What do you mean?” I ask. Eva smiles meekly back at me and, although she looks more relaxed, I can sense her nervousness.

“My father would like to merge the Moon Stone Pack with another pack. I might be an Alpha Wolf, but I’ve had no training, I have no skills and I cannot lead from my prison cell. I have enough to deal with right now. I have told my father I cannot become the Alpha of the Moon Stone, but I know someone who can.” I keep quiet while they continue with their explanation.

She continues to grin at me with a small smile on her face. “Who? You don’t know any other wolves, do you?” She raises her eyebrows, giving me a clue, but she cannot mean what she is saying. The packs would never go for it. Roman, sensing what is being suggested, growls in my head. He is not happy about us having to share our lands, they belong to us.

“My request is that you merge the Moon Stone and the Onyx River and be Alpha over both packs. My daughter will, of course, be your Luna. Part of my conditions is that Summer is named the rightful heir of the Moon Stone while your child with Eva, is named the heir of the Onyx River.”

“What do you think, Aidy? Will you do it?”

*** Alejandro ***

We need to replace Dominga and Junior, but I haven’t found anything of value. I trace them to a hotel, but they abandoned their room a few days ago without paying the bill. The more I look, the further away they seem from my reach.

I go incognito. Alone and under the cover of darkness, I search for the piece of sh!t that neglected a little boy, killed her lover and is now threatening the safety and well-being of my wife. I know Salma wants to be here and doing this too, but it is too dangerous, and Ricky needs her right now. So, I go alone, knowing I am less likely to attract attention this way. I am less likely to set tongues wagging about my whereabouts and intentions too.

Word filters through that Serrano cars are coming and going at an old, abandoned warehouse along the docks. I decide it is worth checking it out. Maybe Dominga has heard about it too and will go looking for allies. I stake out the place for four hours and I consider calling it a night when all the people I have been watching drive away. The sun rises, and my cover will be blown if anyone looks too closely.

My car is parked a couple of miles away, so as not to draw any attention to my presence. Having come the rest of the way on foot, I now begrudgingly start the long, cold walk back when another car catches my eye. Having seen that licence plate not so long ago, I recognise it immediately. It is Tony Serrano, driving himself all alone to an abandoned warehouse.

Something feels off. I’m not sure what is happening, but a Spanish Mafia Don coming out to an old, abandoned warehouse at the crack of dawn on his own is unusual and therefore exceedingly interesting to me. From my hiding place, I watch Tony, and I begin to regret my decision when he simply sits in his car for six hours, talking occasionally on his phone and smoking.

I am cold, hungry, and bored. I consider approaching Tony and asking him to drive me to my car, that’s how desperate I am starting to feel.

Before I can, though, I see Dominga, acting like the Queen of Sheba, the very woman I’ve been searching for. She pulls up in an old Mercedes and she flashes the headlights at Tony’s car. After getting out of her car, she walks towards the warehouse and Tony follows her once she disappears inside.

Sal rings me and I tell her to get ready, I will be bringing Dominga to her. I am sure of it. Tony must have had contact with her, and he is getting information for us. I am so sure about it, I don’t think twice when I slip into the warehouse and creep up to where the raised voices echo around. I take my gun, which is loaded and fitted with a silencer, and creep closer.

“You weren’t supposed to fall in love with the f*****g mutt though, were you? And now you’ve completely blown your cover. You were meant to trick the dog into doing the dirty work and haul your as*s out of there. Now you have half of f*****g England looking for you and your lover boy and believe me, you’ll both lose your heads over this.”

“I just need a couple of hundred grand and a passport. Come on, Tony, you owe me. I did this for you. You wanted the Morales and Suarez turf and it’s all there, ready for you to take. It’s not my fault you lost your bottle.”

“The way I see it, Dominga, Salma and Alejandro believe you and your f*****g puppy are responsible. They have no reason to suspect me, not when I looked after your little boy and helped them reunite with him. They trust me. I owe you nothing.”

“YOU F*****G BASTARD, TONY! YOU PROMISED ME! HALF A MILLION IF I WORKED WITH YOU. IF I AM GOING DOWN, I’LL TAKE YOU WITH ME, I PROMISE THAT NOW.” A cold laugh reverberates off the walls, and a woman’s cry of distress follows.

“And who is going to believe an old wh0re like you, Dom? They have all the evidence they want and need that puts you and the wolf at the scene of the crime… they have some half-hashed motive that they’ve made fit into what they want to believe. I am in the clear and you are well and truly fvcked. Go on girl… tell me… who is going to believe you?”

I don’t know what possesses me. Is it his arrogance or my own? Is it replaceing out the truth and knowing we have made all the square pieces fit into a round hole? Or is it just plain anger and carelessness? I’m not sure, but for some unknown reason, I step out of the shadows and shout, “I believe her.”

I’m not sure what happens next. Is it a scream or the click of the gun? Either way, the whole place turns dark and cold. Tony Serrano has revealed his hand, and I have inadvertently revealed mine too. It cost a life… but whose? Who is lying dead in an old, unused warehouse?

*** Eva ***

Aiden looks back at us all and it is evident from the expression on his face that he didn’t expect this, and we have shocked him.

“Aidy, say something. Please.” I plead with him because I am afraid I’ve overstepped the mark. I am under no illusion of the size of this task, but I have every faith in Aiden and his ability as the Alpha. I know he is the best Alpha for the job, the only possible candidate worthy of the position.

“Eva, you’re not always going to be in a cell. You said yourself that the manifestations are starting to reverse. Once we merge the packs, it will be impossible to make you the Alpha. You would have to challenge me.”

A thrill of desire ran through me, as an image of Aiden and I play-fighting intrudes into my thoughts.

Really, Shortie? In front of your dad? I always knew you were filthy. Thank God he mindlinks, the shame!

Well, obviously, they don’t need to be present, I tease him back, knowing it would arouse him in the same way I am.

“This is a lot to take in. I am honoured that you consider me a worthy candidate. I will think about this, and I will obviously need to consult my Elders Council and the rest of my pack. And my mate too.” My father shakes my mate’s hand and Luna Lydia pulls him into an embrace and whispers thank you to him.

“We’ll take Summer for her dinner while you two talk things through.” Lydia takes her new granddaughter’s hand and encourages my father out of the dungeon.

“I know what you’re doing, Lydia, I’m not that stupid,” I hear my father mutter to Lydia, and I blush at Lydia’s response.

“Lighten up, X, what’s he going to do? Impregnate her again? That was some serious s3xual tension that needs to be addressed. They’ll both be able to think clearly later. You know it and I know it. Come on, let’s go and get some food.”

“She is very wise, your new step-mother. I have thought of nothing but us since I left for Scotland. It’s been too long, Eva; I f*****g crave you. I need you.” My very core floods at his words as he unlocks my cell. Aiden’s eyes glaze over and a couple of seconds later he tells me we will not be disturbed.

“I miss us too. I’ve never felt so frustrated, Aiden.” He has a gleam in his eye as he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck as we finally k**s unrestricted.

“You smell delicious, baby; you’re so f*****g s3xy. I don’t think this is going to take long! And I can’t have my Luna sitting in a cell all s3xually frustrated now, can I?” I giggle at him; I don’t think it will take me long to reach my climax either. Aiden’s mere presence ignites all my desire for him and, for us, my yearning overflows. In a matter of seconds, we have each other’s clothes off and I straddle him and his length as he sits on the edge of our bed.

“Don’t make me wait so long next time, Alpha,” I tell him as I grab his long, thick c0ck and slide down his full length, m0aning involuntarily as he stretches and fills me.

“F**k! I forgot how good you feel,” Aiden says in a hard-edged voice. “You’re so wet and tight, it feels amazing.” And he feels amazing too as he strokes the heat within me repeatedly, bringing me closer and closer to oblivion.

I grind against him, trying to replace the friction that my cl!t craves while Aiden explores the rest of my body. My boobs are already feeling heavier and fuller, and I think he likes that. He svcks one n!pple excitedly while palming the other and I throw my head back in ecstasy.

His hands are rough against my skin, and I can think of no better feeling. My excitement continues to build as he grabs my h!ps, guiding me as I ride him. “Eva, slow down or I’m going to come.” His hand dips lower, finally connecting with my cl!t, pressing and swirling it about with the pad of his fingers and the beginning of my 0rgasm completely consumes me. My heart rate increases and so does the rhythm I set. I am frantic, needy and wanting.

“Then come with me,” I instruct him as my whole body convulses in pleasure. His gr0ans mingle with my breathy pants. Wave after wave of pleasure and fulfilment crash over me. I am thankful that Aiden continued to thrust up deep inside me, hitting the very spot I need him to as I come in unison with him.

The comedown is quick. I don’t want to be caught in a compromising position by my father and there are a few things I want to discuss with Aiden before they return.

“Come back here, I’ve missed you and you’re already putting your clothes back on. They’re in the way!” Aiden paws at me, kissing any exposed skin he can. The sparks of our bond ignite once again across my skin, giving me shivers and tingles that only increases my hunger for him.

“Stop it, they’ll be back any minute, and I still need to talk to you.” I chastise him as I k**s him back, wanting very much to continue with our interlude.

“I don’t care, they can leave or watch, I haven’t finished with you yet.” I love it when Aiden is like this, when it is just us and we can express ourselves. The world may be turning, but right now, the only people who exist and matter are him and me.

“Aidy…” I have to talk to him, as much as I want to slip away in our little bubble, we have to talk. He continues to nuzzle me. “Aiden!”

“Okay, Eva. What is it? I’m not going to get anywhere until you talk to me, so tell me what is bothering you so I can have my wicked way with you one more time before anyone comes back.”

“I don’t want to be an Alpha. I don’t know how to be one. I am unlikely to become a competent one because of the short amount of time we have. However, I felt the power of being in the Moon Stone. I think that is why I was able to shift. It’s like the land was calling me home. I don’t want it to go to some random stranger if they strip my father. By rights, that is Summer’s legacy now.” He listens to me attentively without interrupting.

“So, you want me to take on both packs? Eva, sweetheart, do you realise how hard this is going to be? This will be one massive pack to lead. There will be plenty of resistance too.”

“I’ve almost finished my Luna training and that is something I sincerely believe I can do well. We both knew this was going to happen in some way or form. This way, you’ll be the Alpha and I’ll be your Luna. I won’t have to go away to do Alpha training. We won’t have to run two separate packs.” To me, it makes logical sense, but I understand the magnitude of the task to Aiden.

“I will still have to consult the Elders and the rest of the pack, but if you truly believe this is the best way forward, you know I’ll support you. I just wanted to ensure that you understand the implications and the size of the task we would be taking on. This isn’t going to be easy.” Relief washes over me in waves. I can conquer the world with Aiden’s support, nothing is impossible with him cheering me on from the sides.

“Thank you, Aiden. This is what I think is best.”

I don’t resist when he pulls my clothes off me again. “Now come on, Shortie. You said one more time if I listened.” I don’t deny him; it would be fruitless to do so. I’m already aching for him to be inside me.

We have a lot of time to make up.

*** Salma ***

I am frantic with worry. I spoke to Ale over eight hours ago and he said to get ready, and now he’s nowhere to be found. I have no idea where he is and if he is safe. The phone he called me from is a burner and so I cannot trace him. He is alone, so there’s no one else I can contact either.

A feeling of dread threatens to take over me entirely and so I had to tell Raul and Penelope what is happening. Within an hour, a search party is assembled to locate Alejandro. Pain and weakness like I have never known fills every inch of my body.

“Salma, you need to wait here with Ricky in case he comes back. Elena will wait with you. Don’t worry, we will replace him.” I don’t doubt that they will. It is whether they replace him dead or alive that concerns me. I can’t lose him. I can’t live without him.

Elena and I have not had the opportunity to spend time together and I don’t know her very well despite us being sisters-in-law. She is a typical new-age Mafia wife. She stays at home, away from the action and looks pretty. With her dyed blonde hair and designer clothes, she resembles someone from a high-end glossy magazine. Beautiful, well groomed, and flawless. As for what is under that polished exterior, I am still to determine. I just hope she isn’t an airhead, or this night is about to turn excruciating.

“Don’t worry, Salma. Alejandro is strong and can handle himself. I’m sure he’s just got side-tracked. Matteo and Raul won’t give up until they replace him.” I notice how she absent-mindedly rubs her tummy and feel a pang of longing. Ale told me she is expecting.

“Thank you. I’m just going to call my friend. I won’t be long.” I need to talk to Eva. I need my mami. In the absence of Ale, I need someone to tell me he is okay.

“Sal. I know we are practically strangers, but we can help each other here. I know what you are feeling, because it could be me at any time too. We need to trust one another and start building that support network that Penelope had with your mami. That’s the only way we are going to get through this with our sanity intact.” I sit back down and begrudgingly accept that she is right. Elena knows more about being a Mafia wife than I do because I was raised to be a Donna.

The gender difference expectation keeps creeping into the recess of my mind, making me question if I am cut out to lead after all. The first sign of trouble and I have fallen apart without Ale. Would he fall apart if the roles were reversed? I don’t think he would. He is calm, cool, collected and calculating. I think he would take all this in his stride.

Well, I wouldn’t know because he isn’t f*****g here. So, where the f**k is he? What keeps Alejandro away from me and away from home? I can’t help the worry and concerns I have because, deep down, I know there is nothing in this world that would keep him from returning to me. Something really bad must have happened.