Page 29 of Desperate Decisions

“Don’t cry, little one. You’d have a much worse time if whoever was on the other side of the door didn’t think you were being hassled in here. It’s all part of the show.”

“Fuck.” I sniffled. “You.”

Some rustling from the closet caught my attention and Enzo walked over to open up the doors, revealing Elio on the other side of them.

“She finally let you out?” Enzo asked.

“Santo came back from his mission. She had better things to do than make me miserable.”

"What the fuck are you doing in the closet?” I asked.

“We cut a passageway through all the walls between our rooms years ago as a precaution. Bianca doesn’t know about them.” Enzo finally got out of the way.

Elio rushed to my side. “I’m so sorry about dinner. I knew Enzo had a plan, but the asshole didn’t divulge the details.”

“You wouldn’t have been pissed off enough if I had told you,” Enzo defended.

“You’re lucky I didn’t stab you with a steak knife.”

Enzo only chuckled. “Then Bianca would’ve shot you both dead. Just a little play for me and a shit time for the both of you, and you’re probably in the clear now.”

I curled into Elio’s arms, trying to be gentle, mindful of his injuries. All the stress of the last few days poured out and I sobbed against his chest until I was hiccuping and exhausted. “I want to go home.”

“You are home, little one,” said Enzo. “You have to make the best of it. You have Marco’s omega, and you’ll have mine soon enough for companionship. This isn’t a prison; you just have to tread carefully. The two of you should stay in here tonight. I’ll go to Elio’s room and they can see me leaving with you in the morning.”

I flipped him the bird without raising my head to look at him.

“I promise this is better for everyone. You’d be far more at risk if he defended you. Trust me, I know exactly the amount of damage he would do if it wouldn’t get you both killed.” Enzo sighed. “Try not to hate me too much for saving your lives.”

He disappeared into the closet, leaving Elio and me alone.

“I hate it here,” I mumbled against him.

“I’d gotten pretty numb to this place, but I think I might hate it too. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him.”

“I understand why you couldn’t. I hope he’s right about it helping.”

“Enzo was Bianca’s favorite for a long time. He understands her a little better than Marco and I do. If he thinks that’s what was required to keep you safe, I can only assume he’s right. Damn near killed me to sit there. I won’t let it happen again.”

“You have to. If it keeps us safe, I’ll endure it and so will you.”

Elio growled, his fingers flexing against me. “If it’ll keep you safe, I’ll suffer through anything.”

CHAPTER 11

ELIO

Amara’s panicked scream jolted me out of sleep. After quickly scanning the room for danger and finding none, I closed my hand over her mouth. “Shhh, it’s okay. You’re okay. I’m right here.”

Her whimper snuck through my fingers.

I pulled her close, letting her burrow against my chest. “It’s just us.”

My omega locking her arms around me, using me for safety, had all my alpha instincts preening. I’d never been a source of comfort for anyone before her, and I liked it far more than I’d expected.

My chest had a tickle deep inside, a crackly and broken purr working its way into existence. I’d never purred for anyone before, but fuck if I didn’t want to for her right now. I stroked her hair, slowly willing my purr to life even if it sounded like shit.

Her own purr rumbled, as if it wanted to teach mine how to work. I was always too fucking tense to purr, but I craved it now, knew it would help my omega feel safer. God knew she wouldn’t find any other place for that in here.

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