Saving his life

Chapter 19

It ended up being about 7pm by the time we had finished with the apartment and finally managed to find out where Leon was. We were sent on a wild goose chase by his associates when we asked around for him. We went to his house, his favourite restaurants, his parents, one of his clubs and we even went to see if he was in the park. We finally headed over to his other club that he owned, the one that I had spent that wonderful night in when he saved me from my heart ache that Austin had caused. Carlos spoke to the bartender in Spanish, clearly asking if Leonardo was here. The bartender nodded and pointed up to the vip area. I glanced over and then looked back at Carlos.

“Get me a drink, let me handle Leon!” I yelled over the music and he nodded. I made my way up the steps to the vip area. The bouncer that stood at the entrance recognised me from the other night and let me pass. The room was filled with strippers and gang members, all half pissed already and gawking at the women. I rolled my eyes and walked toward the private room. I placed my hand to the handle and swallowed the lump in my throat.

This was it, I was about to see Leon for the first time in weeks, looking his worst and in a state. I braced myself as I pulled it down and gently opened it. I was so frightened to peer round the gap that I knocked instead, alerting him of my presence.

“Vete a la mierda estoy ocupado!” (f**k off, I’m busy) he yelled and I had no idea what he just said. I replied as I entered the room.

“Sorry, I still don’t speak... Spanish...” I trailed off in shock. My chest felt like someone had gripped hold of my heart and twisted it until it broke into pieces. He was sitting there on the sofa, his arms behind his head with his mouth open. A woman wearing a slutty, skimpy, leather outfit was knelt down in front of him, clearly sucking him off. Leon’s face dropped when he saw me and he nudged the girl calmly to stop. 

“ve y tráete un trago” (go and fetch yourself a drink) he commanded and the girl wiped her mouth, brushing passed me and slamming the door. I folded my arms as he composed himself. His eyes were half open from the amount of booze and drugs that were in his system. His hair was scruffy along with his outfit. He always took pride in the way he looked when he was in public, he would never leave the house looking the way he did in front of me now.

“What do you want?” He asked rudely. I fought back the tears and took in a breath. 

“Leon, look at the f*****g state of you! You are a mess!” I yelled and he sniggered at me. Swaying as he stood to his feet, he walked over to the minibar in the corner of the room. He poured himself a straight whiskey on the rocks and held it up to me.

“Want one?” He slurred and I shook my head with disgust. He shrugged a tipped the liquid down his neck. He went to pour himself another glass but I walked over and took the bottle away from him. 

“I think you’ve had enough Leon” I warned. He scowled at me and held his hand out.

“Give it back!” He ordered and I shook my head. 

“Give it to me Maria!” He yelled.

“Look at you, you’re being pathetic!” I threw the bottle at the wall in a fit of rage and his eyes narrowed at me. 

“Who the f**k do you think you are? I could have you banned from this f*****g club” he slurred on every other word. I chuckled and then glared at him with disappointment.

“You’re mother would be ashamed of you” I spat. Within seconds, Leon’s hand was wrapped around my throat, forcing me against the wall. I had unleashed his temper and the smell of alcohol hit my nose. I squinted and yelled as his aggression startled me. 

“You didn’t know my mother!” He snarled and I couldn’t respond, his grip was too tight and it was burning my throat. As if by sheer luck, Carlos burst through the door and pushed him off of me. He restrained him in his grip and growled in his ear.

“Stop it! This has gone too far now brother, you never... EVER... put your hands on a woman. Especially one that has saved your f*****g life twice”. Leon slowly calmed his aggression down and dropped to his knees, defeated. I rubbed at my neck and scowled at him. 

“You’re a lost cause Leon, you’re no use to anyone like this” I sternly told him. His eyes softened with self pity and I shook my head.

“I’m sorry Carlos, but I think he’s beyond help, I would leave him in his pit of pity. Don’t let him bring you down too” I advised Carlos and walked towards the exit. Carlos stayed with Leon to calm him down. I was thankful to be honest, I wanted to be able to cry alone. I wanted to run back in there and hug Leon tightly, tell him that I love him and that he needs to fix up. However, I knew that would just be feeding his cry out for sympathy. There is no way he will snap out of this without tough love. He is so hurt and angry, because of me. Do I really mean that much to him? The look he gave me when he dropped to his knees proved that the man I fell in love with is still in there somewhere, beneath the drugs and the drink. 

I stood outside the club, wiping away my tears and heading to the alleyway. I didn’t want Carlos to find me like this. I pulled a cigarette from the packet I had in my bag. I always kept a pack in there in case of situations like this. I placed it between my lips and lit the end, inhaling the nicotine into my lungs deeply. When I exhaled, I was startled by a mans voice, sounding only a few feet away from me.

“Pretty girls shouldn’t smoke señorita”. The deep and calm tone came from the figure standing on the corner of the ally. He stepped closer to me and took down his hood. It was him...