Leon's Pov:
The sound of my excessively loud ringtone woke me up to a plate of steamy hot pasta and medicines on my bedside table with a note that read,
"Going out for a bit. Eat up and take the medicine."
The first thing I thought to myself was that her handwriting was beautiful.
I forgot to tell her not to worry about me. I already felt good as new. Maybe I was still slightly on edge but it had nothing to do with a cold.
Still, I appreciated her efforts. I found them cute.
I read the note one last time and smiled sheepishly before going into the shower. I didn't bother to check my phone, I knew it was Noah calling. I wasn't going to let him add to my stress by listening to his overthinking.
I got out, picked out a suit, as always, put on fifty layers of perfume, wore my shoes and headed out.
I didn't want to raise suspicions so I tried to have the fact that I was walking into a death trap on my face. I didn't tell anyone where I was going either, not that I naturally did but Marvin or Pearl knew my location most of the time. I just didn't want them in any more danger.
We were all lucky that it didn't occur to Max to try to kill someone in their family, or worse. There's always worse.
The thoughts of everything that could go wrong sent chills down my spine throughout the whole ride.
I picked up my phone to call Noah back.
"Where the fuck are you?!"
"Relax, I haven't called him yet so we still have time."
"You should've done that yesterday."
"That would give him too much time to investigate and call for back up."
"Oh."
"Is everyone already at the warehouse?"
"Yeah. Alvin's rounding up his men."
"They've barely said five words to each other." he continued. "I think something is up."
"Alvin and Adrian? They probably fought each other before and are still holding grudges we didn't know about."
"Or maybe they're planning to kill you."
"If your superstitions were to be true, don't you think it's better not to tell me?"
"No, I'm telling you so you can plan ahead, dumbass."
I laughed. "You're being paranoid. I'll be at the warehouse in ten minutes."
I knew he could be right but still didn't care. I had faith in them, which was probably the dumbest thing I could do. But, it was too late to take precautions.
I got to the warehouse and saw a little above thirty men in black and dark navy blue suits. They all looked directly at me, like they were studying their prey.
Adrian came out then.
"Relax boys, he's with us."
They stepped back. I was able to breathe.
"What happened to hiding?"
"Well if you weren't here yet then obviously Max wouldn't so why should I be hiding?"
"Are you listening to yourself? I could've come here with him."
The wide smile he had on before instantly dropped.
"That wouldn't be very smart would it?"
I looked around me. I refrained myself from arguing further because I was literally surrounded. One order from him and I would be torn to shreds.
"Shall we?"
His smile grew back as he turned his hand towards the entrance.
I walked in and met Noah looking oddly calm. I was expecting to see him pacing the room or shaking his legs for comfort, but no. He just sat next to Alvin who was also expectedly calm.
"Call him." Adrian said from behind me.
"I will as soon as you get your boys out of the entrance."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine."
He turned to one of them in the warehouse. He nodded his head and went back out to tell the rest to hide. They moved fast, like they already discussed their positions before I got there.
"If you're wondering, yes we already arranged a formation. All that's left is Max." Alvin said.
I looked over to Noah, the only one I could trust. He gave me the go ahead.
I pulled out Ava's old cellphone and called him.
He immediately answered.
"Leon."
I waited for him to say something else but he didn't.
"I know this isn't a prank call, speak up." he continued after seconds of silence.
"Hey Max. How've you been?"
"Oh stop with the pleasantries. I kidnapped your girl and you want to know why."
"She's not my girl."
"Put it on speaker." Adrian whispered. I did.
"Oh then I made a terrible mistake then. Was that why it took you so long to call me?"
"Not exactly. I was just thinking of the million things you could possibly want."
"Mhm Leon. You know exactly what I want."
"I do."
"Oh? So what's this?"
"Meet me at our old warehouse. I want this to be as discreet as possible."
"I can be discreet, brother. I just don't know if you can. You have quite the number of people in your life right now."
My heart raced. I looked at the boys whose eyes were fixed on me from the beginning. I could see the calmness leave Noah's body in an instant.
"What do you mean by that?"
"We'll discuss that at the warehouse. I'll be discreet but protection will be needed, right?"
I didn't answer.
"Right, Leon?"
"Protection wouldn't be needed but, I'm not alone."
"How many people are you with?"
"Two. Me and Noah."
"I see."
"When should I be expecting you?"
"You'll see me, that's all you need to know."
He hung up. The mood in the room has shifted, at least for me and Noah. The other two were still relaxed.
"We'll be at the back of that container there."
Alvin stood up and walked over to it, followed by Adrian.
"He better be here soon. I'm not sitting on the floor behind a dirty container for hours." Adrian whined.
"Oh he'll be here soon. Very soon."