Page 35 of The Omega Accountant

"I need to prepare contingencies," he continued, his hand falling away as focus returned to his expression. "Myfather's ultimatum changes our timeline.TheSouzaswill move more aggressively once word spreads thatI'vebeen cut off fromCorvinoresources."

"What do you need me to do?"Iasked, falling into the rhythm of practical problem-solving that had defined our working relationship before heat and claiming had complicated everything.

The question earned a ghost of a smile—appreciation for functionality where many omegas might have dissolved into emotional disarray. "Continueanalyzing the financial trails.Findevery connection between my father and theSouzas.Weneed leverage beyond what we've already uncovered."

I nodded, turning toward the workstation where our joint investigation had been progressing beforeDonCorvino'sinterruption.Matteo'shand caught my arm gently, halting my retreat.

"Luca."Hisvoice dropped lower, something almost hesitant threading through his usual certainty. "Thankyou."

The gratitude caught me off guard—unexpected vulnerability from the alpha who commanded respect through mere presence. "Forwhat?"

"For seeing this through.Fornot running when most would have."

The acknowledgment of choice—my choice to remain despite danger, despite complication, despite the sacrifice now demanded of him—shifted something subtle between us.Recognitionof agency beyond biological imperative or legal claiming.

"We're partners,"Ireplied simply, echoing the definition we had established in the aftermath of heat-claiming. "Partnersdon't run."

Something flashed across his features—appreciation, perhaps, or recognition that transcended alpha possession or omega submission.Thenhis phone buzzed, pulling his attention away asIreturned to the financial data awaiting analysis.

Hours passed in quiet focus, the rhythm of our work punctuated only by occasional exchanges of information, theories, discoveries.Outside, darkness claimed the city, lights blossoming across the urban landscape like stars fallen to earth.Ilost myself in numbers and transactions—the language that had always made sense when human motivations remained opaque.

I didn't register the soft chime of the service elevator until the scent reached me—familiar yet unexpected, carrying notes of cinnamon and clove that triggered memories of childhood kitchens and whispered secrets.

Silvia.

My head snapped up as my sister stepped into the office, her beta status allowing her to move through security checkpoints with less scrutiny than alphas or omegas would face.Herdark eyes—so similar to my own—swept the room with practiced assessment before landing on me with undisguised relief.

"Luca."Myname in her mouth carried years of shared history, of protective older sister watching over the omega brother who invited unwanted attention through mere existence. "ThankGod."

I rose from my workstation, confusion warring with joy at seeing her after weeks of separation. "Silvia?Howdid you?—"

"Get in?"Shemoved toward me, her movements carrying the efficient purpose that had made her a successful event coordinator for legitimateCorvinobusinesses. "Istill have access cards.AndIbrought dinner forMatteo'ssecurity team.Theyknow me."

The practicality of her explanation matched the sisterIremembered—direct, resourceful, unimpressed by mafia hierarchy despite working within its structures.Butsomething in her expression triggered warning signalsIcouldn't immediately identify—a tightness around her eyes, a tension in her movements that spoke of urgency beneath casual explanation.

"Where is he?" she asked, glancing towardMatteo'sempty office. "Your... alpha?"

The hesitation before the designation carried volumes of unspoken questions, of opinions carefully restrained.Silviahad always been protective, but never intrusive—respecting my independence even when her beta instincts urged greater intervention.

"Meeting withCarlo,"Iexplained, studying her more carefully now. "Securityarrangements.Whyare you here,Silvia?"

Her gaze darted toward the security cameras positioned discreetly in the corners of the office, then back to me with renewed intensity. "Canwe speak privately?Justfor a moment?"

The request triggered both nostalgia and caution.Howmany times in childhood had those exact words preceded her whispered warnings about our father's moods, about alphas watching too closely, about dangersIwas too young to fully comprehend?Silviahad been my first protector long beforeMatteohad claimed that role through bond and bite.

"Of course."Iled her toward the small conference room adjacent to the main office, closing the door behind us with practiced casualness that belied my growing unease. "What'shappened?"

Once the door sealed us in relative privacy,Silvia'scarefully maintained composure fractured.Shegrasped my hands, her fingers cold despite the warmth of the building. "Youneed to leave,Luca.Tonight.Now."

The urgency in her voice—so at odds with her usual measured approach—sent a chill through me that had nothing to do with the temperature of her skin against mine. "Whatare you talking about?"

"DonCorvinohas issued the ultimatum.Matteohas twenty-four hours to annul the claiming or face disinheritance."Herwords confirmed whatI'dalready overheard, but carried additional urgency that suggested knowledge beyond whatI'dgleaned. "Butthat's not all.TheSouzasare moving against both of you.They'vehired specialized extraction teams—the kind that specialize in omega acquisition."

The euphemism—"omega acquisition"—hung between us like poison gas, too terrible to name directly.Inour world, omegas with valuable skills or connections sometimes disappeared, resurfacing months later bonded to rival families, memories chemically altered, personalities subsumed beneath forced claiming and biological manipulation.

"How do you know this?"Myvoice emerged steadier than the churning in my stomach would suggest possible.

"MarcoRicci," she answered, naming her sometimes-boyfriend who worked security for one of theCorvinosubsidiaries. "Heoverheard arrangements being made.TheSouzaswant you specifically—the omega who cost them their alliance.They'lluse you againstMatteo,Luca.Breakyou to break him."

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