Page 13 of Hunt

“Forgive me, Alpha De Luca,” Hector begins respectfully, though I can hear the hiss in his voice. “You aren't offering what I think you’re offering?—”

There’s a moment of heavy silence.

Alessio's boisterous laugh echoes throughout the room, causing me to scowl openly. I must maintain my composure around men like him; any sign of fear or vulnerability can be a dangerous invitation for them. Alessio would see it as weakness and doubt our ability to complete his request...whatever that may be.

“I’m afraid our daughter is no longer on the menu.” He wipes the corner of his eyes. “If I remember correctly, we tried to go that route, but alas our plans fell through at the last moment.”

“Don’t pretend to be upset about it,” I grit out and all eyes flicker to me.

Bella ’s eyes widen before she frowns with a barely perceptible shake of her head—as if telling me silently to shut my mouth. I ignore her, unwilling to let her manipulate me any further.

“You orchestrated that entire night for your benefit. You put the pawns in place and made it so that their blood wasn’t on your hands. You had your precious daughter play with our emotions, knowing we would kill for her.”

Alessio watches me now—expressionless, but studying. “Aren’t you a brave one. Tell me, Dante Carbone.” Squaring my shoulders, I sit a little higher in my seat. “Do you make decisions for yourself, or are you content that a woman might have the power to sway your mind? My daughter is many things, but she is still simply a woman. You were trained to never be that stupid, or to let your guard down for omega pussy. What happened to your fathers was inevitable, but your inability to see past your own lust was the real reason for their downfall.”

There’s nothing hiding in his words, no sharp turn of phrase. The sad part of it is—he’s right. I let my feelings for Bella blind me to what was really going on and how corrupt the pack had really become. It doesn’t surprise me that our fathers might have somehow turned their backs on Alessio for their own gain.

How could I have thought it was normal for a young omega to move halfway across the states by herself with only one bodyguard and no escorts? Why did I believe it was no big deal for her to live in that huge house all alone? The signs were there, but I didn’t want to see them.

“I am hoping to make this a seamless transition,” Alessio says. “Bad blood aside, the Carbone’s many assets are still in need of leadership—men I trust to do as I say. Bella has kept me well informed that you and your brothers are quite capable, luckily untainted by the ways of your predecessors.”

Bile coats my throat with each word. It’s not that I disagree with him necessarily, it's the fact that it’shimsaying it, and the fact that the insider information came from someone who I thought I could trust. There’s no sincerity in his voice.

“Black Pharmaceuticals has been in under my authority for next to fifteen years. I intend to keep it that way, but I need your pack’s legacy at the helm if we are to continue to do great things.”

The reality hits us hard. This isn’t about our personal relationship; it's about the legacy left behind by our fathers. If we were to suddenly disappear, it would reflect poorly on Alessio and his decision to appoint a new CEO shortly after. It would raise suspicion, as it should. But with us in charge of his drug empire, it would be the logical next move in such a situation. We are the rightful successors and co-owners of Black Pharmaceuticals

“And if we agree to your terms, what then?” Silas asks. “Things return to normal and we pretend like none of this shit ever happened?”

Alessio chuckles. “What is normal, really? Have you seen a normal day in your life? You’ll take over for you’re fathers and report to myself or the other alphas of Pack De Luca. What you do with your free time is none of my concern, unless you make it so.”

Alessio’s face morphs into a smile that feels oily all over. “I am inviting you to stay in my home until the contracts are drawn up and details are ironed out. It just so happens we have a wedding to attend in two days time and it seems you were not around to receive the invitation. I shall introduce you to your future colleagues, and familiarize you with the business, since something is telling me the late, great Carbones failed to prepare their own heirs properly. It’s a shame, really. Nearly thirty years and what do you have to show for it?”

Alessio stands from his chair, sliding it behind him as he straightens his tie. “I’ll make leaders out of you in no time. Until then, please enjoy my home as if it were your own. I’m afraid we’re running late for a meeting, but please, do enjoy your dinner, gentlemen.”

All three Carbone alphas stand as one. It’s clear that this entire conversation was well rehearsed beforehand, and they expect us to fall in line without questions.

Alessio drifts over towards Bella, bending down to kiss her on the forehead. I can feel my knuckles popping as I ball my fingers into tight fists. My eyes hone in on Bella’s tight face. Her barely-there cringe has me puzzled. It’s as if her body is trying to naturally shy away from her father’s touch, but she’s not letting herself show it.

It bothers me more than it should.

CHAPTER 8

BELLA

“I knowwhat this looks like, but I—” I start to say, but a sharp laugh from Hector cuts me off.

“If you’re about to try and convince us that we have it all wrong, you might as well save your breath. Nothing you say will dig you out of this one. We’re not as stupid as you think we are.”

His dark gray eyes are hard on mine, and the lack of emotion makes me swallow thickly. “I’ll admit though, you really had us going. Some of those kisses might have even been genuine, unless you’re just that good of an actress.”

Warmth hits my back and a shadow looms over my chair. “It's time to go, Miss De Luca,” Nic grumbles, causing my teeth to grind.

His hand touches my shoulder and it takes everything inside of me not to jab him in the nuts. There’s something strange about the touchy way he’s acting towards me—almost like he knows it’s pissing the guys off. I wonder for a moment, if Alessio put him up to it.

“Miss De Luca?” Silas sneers. “You really are their precious little spy, aren’t you?”

In his golden eyes, I see nothing but betrayal. He hated me for so long, and he warned his brothers about me. To him, this was just confirmation that he was right all along. I was the bitch who betrayed him.

---