Page 93 of Juliet & Her Romeos

Warily, I sit back down, slipping my hand into Swan’s.

Swan’s head is tilted back defiantly because of course it is. But I can feel how much he’s shaking.

“Done something wrong?” Swan’s voice is sharp. “What could that possibly be, Little Snake?”

This time when he saysLittle Snake, it no longer sounds like an endearment but rather, than insult.

Vito flinches.

He hides his hands beneath the counter, self-consciously.

“I don’t know,” Vito replies, warily. “I grew up in a fucked up family. My Omega mom was sold to the Omega Institute becauseshe tried to run away to save my sister and me from it. After that, I was at the mercy of my triplet sisters, who were psychopaths in the true fucking meaning of that word. I don’t know why they hated me, only that they did. At least, they hated that they’d been left to raise their younger Alpha brother. So, I don’t always do the right thing, I know that. I’m not a perfect Alpha. I’ve been a playboy for years, too concentrated on looking after my sister who was unwell to even start to think about finding my own pack. Now that she’s safe and bonded with the Saints, I can try and become something more than—”

“Mafia?” Swan takes an aggressive bite of his pancake.

Vito lurches up from his seat, paling. “How long…? You recognized the tattoo.”

Swan’s eyes are fixed on Vito. They blaze.

He nods.

Vito holds his hands behind his back like he’s ashamed of what’s inked on them. “They didn’t think after the conditioning the academy puts you through that you’d remember. I didn’t want to just dump everything on you at once and spoil your first proper Christmas, now that you’re free.”

“Are we?” Swan leaps up, storming around me, before I can stop him. He shoves Vito in the chest, pushing him back over the counter. He knocks over the syrup, which spills to join the splatter of chocolate. “Free?Or has anotherSnakejust bought me like you once sold me?”

Vito’s expression crumples. “I didn’t buy you. I fuckingrescuedyou. I don’t expect anything from either of you. I didn’t mean to start falling for you both.”

My breath stutters.

Falling for us…?

Swan looks conflicted.

He leans closer to Vito, resting his hand on his cheek like even now he can’t resist comforting him. “I lost everything because of your pack. I won’t let you hurt the woman I love.”

When Vito looks at me, I’m enthralled by his ocean eyes. “You love her, but she’s alsomyscent match. I promise, I’d never hurt an Omega. I’ve spent my life caring for my sister. Candy had an illness that meant she’d likely die, and I had to live with that…knowing that the only person who loved and cared about me could die. I could wake up any day, and she’d be gone. I dedicated every moment to making sure that she’d be happy and safe for the time that she did have, despite the shit happening all around us. I fought to get us free and independent from the Snakes, just like our brave mom tried, when we were kids. I dedicated myself to making Candy’s dreams of a bakery come true. And now, with the help of my sister’s pack, we’re both free of the Snakes at last. Except, I’m not, am I? Because you both hate me for being trash.”

Swan makes a low sound of denial in his throat, dragging Vito up and wrapping his strong arms around him.

Swan knows what it’s like to be labeledtrash.

“It’s okay.” Vito pats Swan on the back. “I meant it, when I said that I don’t expect anything from either of you. I just wanted to be honest about how I was feeling. I know that you both like Amby. Of course you do with that golden hair and amber eyes, right? He’s a fucking billionaire jock from one of the most elite families in the country. That’s fine. I’ll deal. I’ve been rejected enough times for being mafia trash. This tattoo isn’t something that I can get away from.”

“Shut up,” I snarl, shocking even myself.

Did I, an Omega, just tell an Alpha toshut up?

Yeah I did.

Vito is shocked enough to snap his mouth shut as ordered.

Swan chuckles, yanking Vito around to face me. “She tells me to shut up a lot. It’s a sign of affection.”

I slink closer. “Kissing is too, Viper.”

I go up on my tiptoes, offering my lips.

Vito’s eyes widen. “I wish that I had mistletoe.”

---