Page 40 of The Omega Accountant

"You neededDonCorvino'scooperation,"Iobserved, pieces falling into place despite the storm of realization still thundering through my system. "ButnotMatteo's."

"Exactly."Souza'sapproval felt like oil on my skin, unwanted and contaminating. "Theold man understood necessity.Recognizedthat consolidation offered advantages neither family could achieve independently.Hisson proved... resistant to practical arrangements."

The tablet continued displaying financial structures that represented years of careful planning, of meticulous construction designed to transfer an empire without triggering the traditional bloodshed such moves typically required.Amasterpiece of financial engineering thatIhad accidentally begun unraveling with my discovery of the missing millions.

This was my leverage—the knowledge now expanding in my mind asIrecognized additional connections, weaknesses, vulnerabilities in their system.Informationworth more than my omega status, than my claiming bond toMatteo, than even my biological potential as hostage.

But now, that biological potential had manifested in the most consequential way possible.Thechild growing within me—Matteo'sheir, continuation ofCorvinobloodline, physical manifestation of the claiming that had bound us beyond legal documentation—changed every calculation.Notjust my safety at stake, but legacy itself.Futureembodied in cellular division that had already begun, invisible but undeniable.

My hand instinctively moved toward my abdomen before the restraints yanked it back, the protective gesture aborted but the intention registered bySouza'swatchful gaze.Hisexpression shifted minutely, something almost like amusement threading through his clinical assessment.

"Interesting," he observed, the single word weighted with implicationsIcouldn't fully process in my current state. "Itseems our negotiations have acquired additional... dimension."

The confirmation that he'd understood—that he'd interpreted my involuntary gesture correctly—sent ice through my veins.Notjust prisoner but incubator of potential advantage, of biological leverage that transcended financial knowledge or claiming bonds.

I forced my expression to neutrality, falling back on years of practiced control in hostile environments. "Accountnumber 847-93021,"Isaid suddenly, watchingSouza'sexpression with the same precision he'd been using to study mine. "Cayman-based, registered to a shell corporation operating throughLiechtensteinprotocols.That'syour primary transfer point for theCorvinoshipping division assets."

Surprise flickered across his features—momentary but unmistakable.Hehadn't expected me to identify that account from the brief glimpse of their structure, hadn't anticipated the speed with whichIcould process the financial patterns laid before me.

"The beauty of mathematics,"Icontinued, confidence growing asIrecognized the advantage forming in this unlikely moment of vulnerability. "Numbersdon't lie, even when people build labyrinths to hide them.You'vecreated a magnificent structure, but it has architectural weaknesses.Pointswhere the entire framework could collapse if the right authorities received anomaly reports."

The guards by the door shifted slightly, responding to the subtle change in atmosphere as power dynamics recalibrated.Souza'sexpression remained controlled, but something in his scent had shifted—the first hints of concern bleeding through practiced neutrality.

"You're more dangerous than you look,Mr.Bianchi," he said quietly, assessment replacing the dismissive confidence he'd initially projected. "Iunderstand now whyMatteoclaimed you against political advantage.Notjust omega biology but genuine asset."

I leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed, holding his gaze with a directness that defied omega stereotypes. "Mysister's location and immediate release.That'smy price for not activating the financial tripwiresI'vealready established."

"Tripwires?"Skepticismcolored his tone, but the tension in his posture betrayed genuine concern.

"Did you thinkIdiscovered the missing millions and took no precautions?"Iallowed a ghost of a smile to touch my lips, channeling the quiet confidenceI'dobserved inMatteoduring negotiations. "Threeseparate alert systems, programmed to trigger ifIdon't enter specific codes at twelve-hour intervals.Thefirst deadline passed whileIwas unconscious.Thesecond is approaching in—"Iglanced at the clock on the wall, its red digital display the only splash of color in the concrete room, "—approximately ninety minutes."

Bluffing had never been my strength, numbers and patterns my usual territory rather than psychological manipulation.Butthe ledgersI'dstudied weren't just financial records—they were maps of human motivation, of risk assessment, of the calculations that guided decisions in our world.I'dlearned to read those patterns too, to understand the mathematics of fear and advantage that governed interactions at this level.

"You expect me to believe an omega accountant established automated financial alerts sophisticated enough to threatenOperationMezzanotte?"Souza'sskepticism remained evident, though underlaid with genuine uncertainty.

"I expect you to make a rational calculation,"Icountered, maintaining the calm certainty that represented my only advantage in this moment of absolute vulnerability. "Isthe risk of losing billions in carefully constructed financial architecture worth keeping my sister as leverage?ParticularlywhenMatteois already coming for us both?"

The statement hung between us, weighted with implication and the ring of truth that statistics provided.Notjust omens but mathematical certainty that an alpha whose claimed omega had been taken would come with violence that transcended rational assessment or tactical disadvantage.

And now, with the knowledge growing within me—heir to everythingMatteorepresented, continuation of bloodline theCorvinofamily valued above all else—his coming was inevitable as sunrise, as certain as the mathematical principles that governed financial patterns and biological imperatives alike.

"You've created something elegant,"Icontinued, nodding toward the tablet still displaying their financial structure. "ButI'vealready identified six critical nodes that could be targeted by regulatory authorities.Thefirst alert sends red flags toFinCENregarding theCaymantransfers.Thesecond initiates audit requests focused on specific shell companies in your network.Thethird?—"

"Enough."Souzaraised a hand, the first genuine responseI'dprovoked beyond calculated performance. "You'vemade your point,Mr.Bianchi."Hestudied me with renewed assessment, recalibrating whatever initial impression he'd formed based on secondary gender or apparent vulnerability. "Tellme these tripwires can be deactivated."

"Of course,"Ireplied, the lie emerging with confidence born of necessity rather than practice. "I'man accountant, not a terrorist.Systemsdesigned with fail-safes are simply good business practice."

The tension hung between us, alpha calculation weighing risk against potential loss, measuring the probability that an omega would have established such sophisticated countermeasures against the certainty of catastrophic financial exposure ifIhad.

"Your sister will be brought here," he decided finally, the concession emerging with the careful framing of a man unused to negotiating from disadvantage. "Youwill deactivate these alleged tripwires.Thenwe will continue our discussion regarding your future role in our organization."

The phrasing—deliberate, revealing—confirmed whatI'dsuspected beneath surface demands.TheSouzasdidn't want me eliminated or even returned toMatteo.Theywanted my financial acumen, my pattern recognition, my ability to navigate complex systems with precision they clearly recognized as valuable beyond secondary gender or claiming status.

What they didn't yet realize was how completely the biological reality now taking shape within me changed their calculations.Notjust omega accountant or claimed mate, but carrier ofCorvinoheir, of biological continuation that transcended financial manipulation or organizational politics.

"Her safety first,"Iinsisted, pushing advantage while it existed. "Isee her, confirm her condition, speak with her privately.ThenIdeactivate the alerts."

Souza's jaw tightened fractionally—alpha instinct bristling against omega making demands despite rational recognition of the leverageI'destablished.Henodded once to the guard by the door, the gesture carrying the weight of command that required no verbal reinforcement.

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