Page 149 of Juliet & Her Romeos

When Vito slowly lets go of Swan’s ankle and raises to his full height again, Swan swallows.

“Where the hell did you come from?” Swan is staring at Vito like he’s truly seeing him for the first time. “I love Amby, but you’re like something from my dreams. In all those years that I’ve been trapped in the academy, did a revolution or something happen in the outside world that I don’t know about? Is there equality now? Wait, areBetasnow running things?” Swan’s eyes flame with excitement. “I’d make an incredible President.”

Vito chuckles. “Swan for President. I’d vote for you.” Then he sobers. “Unfortunately, our current President is very much an Alpha, and Alphas are still in charge. In fact, this President is an oppressive knothead. But people are finally fighting back. There’s a new Omega Society who are trying to save abused Omegas. Also, a secret Omega resistance, who are fighting to make changes for all dynamics. The resistance have battled for reforms in politics and institutions, as well as the music, entertainment, and sports worlds.”

He hesitates.

What’s he holding back?

“Why are they secret?” I demand.

“Because you can support Omega rights but you can’t support the Omega resistance. Resistance members are seen as terrorists and outlaws. Ambrose would bust my balls, if he knew that I was talking about this with you.” Vito rubs across the snake tattoo, as if he doesn’t know that he’s doing it. “If you’re caught, the President’s order is that you’re executed.”

“Fuck him,” Swan declares.

Vito looks like he’s trying hard not to laugh. “Hey, I agree. Fuck that guy. But don’t say that in front of anyone else because he’s kind of powerful and in charge.”

“As an Alpha, so are you,” I point out.

“But I run a bakery and not a country. My obsession is also riding a Harley too fast, rather than ordering rebels executed by firing squad.”

When my scent sours with fear, Vito floods the room with calming pheromones in response.

“Don’t worry, I’m a liberal. You both can be as rebellious as you like. You’re safe.” Vito cups my cheek. My shoulders slump in relief. “I believe in equality. My own mom was sold to the Omega Institute by Dad. I watched my best friend grieve because his little brother was torn away from him, while his pack were kept as my one’s servants. I’ve spent my life protecting my Omega sister. Why should the dynamic that we’re born with determine how we’re treated for the rest of our lives?”

“But what does equality mean?” Swan demands.

“Anything that you want it to,” Vito replies, stealing my breath. “I’ll support you in whatever you want to achieve. If you wish to dance as principals, then I’ll make sure that happens on your own terms. If you never want to dance again and have a different dream, then I’ll do whatever you need to make that happen. I’ll always be your chief cheerleader. And privately, if you want me worshiping you on my knees, beautiful Omegas, then I’ll crawl for you.”

I grab Vito by the hair and drag him into a passionate kiss. At the same time, Swan twirls to his feet, clasping his arms around Vito’s waist and holding him between us.

“I never want you to crawl,” Swan whispers hot into his ear. “I want you toflywith us.”

Vito moans, kissing me more deeply.

Then panting, he draws back. “Time for your bonding gift.”

He bounds to the cake box, grabbing it. Then he carries it carefully, however, across the kitchen to the counter.

He places the box down in front of Swan and me.

“You said that you wanted to try chocolate and cherry cake. So, I made this.” Vito removes the lid of the box with a flourish.

He reveals a stunning chocolate cake.

It’s shaped like a beautiful black swan with a glass slipper in front of it. Both are decorated with frosting and glace cherries.

Swan and I gasp in delight.

Fresh cherries surround the cake, as if the swan is swimming on a lake of sweet shadows.

I clap my hands. “It’s amazing. Did you really make this?”

Vito flushes with pride. “I didn’t go to sleep after the heat. I knew that I didn’t have a bonding gift, unlike Ambrose. How can I compete against everything that he offers you? So, I rang my sister for her advice. She told me that you’d appreciate me showing how I feel about you by making you something. I don’t have her skill but…”

I stop Vito’s words with a kiss.

Shit, if he’s not as skilled as his Omega sister, then she must be a genius.

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