Page 64 of Omega's Vengeance

“I’ll have that if I join the Black Knives.”

His eyes flicker. “Okay, you’ll have power but you won’t have your freedom. You’ll be married to Dario Coppola. Don’t lie to me and tell me you want that marriage. I’ve known you far too long. Dario is a thug. He’s not your type. When you pick your alpha, he’ll be culturedandpowerful. Your alpha won’t be a yes man, like Dario is to Valentino.”

He's not wrong about Dario not being my usual type. Still, I have the oddest surge of anger at how he’s dismissing Dario. But I hold my tongue. The last thing I want is him knowing I feel bonded to Dario. “I don’t trust you. I won’t work with you.”

Frustration glitters in his eyes. “You’re being petty. What I’m offering you is everything you’ve ever wanted. Plus, in addition to all the power and money, you’ll finally get your revenge on Valentino. How can you pass that up?”

I clench my jaw. “It’s not as hard as you’d think. You should go, Carlo. I’m certain Dario will come any minute to check on me. If he sees you, he’ll kill you.”

He laughs. “Are you seriously saying you’d rather work with them, rather than your own flesh and blood?”

I frown. “You mean the same flesh and blood who turned on me?”

“How many times must I tell you I regret that?” He sounds exasperated. “You’re like a fucking dog with a bone.”

I shake my head at his obtuseness. “Even if I was foolish enough to agree to your plan, how do I know any of what you say is true? For all I know you’re making this whole thing up. There probably are no other syndicates willing to work with you. You’ve proven yourself to be disloyal, cousin. I highly doubt people are lining up to work with you. Especially against an organization as powerful as the Black Knives.”

“I’m telling the truth.” His face is flushed. “The real question you should ask yourself is how you can join with the man who put your father in the grave,” he growls. “Even if I did fuck up, Valentino is still responsible for that. Or have you forgotten?”

I stiffen. “I haven’t forgotten. I hate Valentino.”

“And Dario?” He narrows his eyes. “You hate him too, right? He’s Valentino’s second. He’s as guilty as Valentino for what happened to Uncle Joesph.”

“I thought you understood what Valentino did to my father?”

His gaze flickers. “I’ve changed my mind. The real issue here is why you don’t seem to hate Dario.”

I avoid his gaze. “Of course I hate him. I hate them both.” It’s true I don’t like Valentino. But I have very different feelings toward Dario. The memory of his soothing touch earlier comes to me. In that moment, I knew he’d do anything to protect me. I suspect he’d even go against Valentino for me. I didn’t see that before, but I do now. Dario has fully accepted me as his omega. I couldn’t hate him if I tried.

“I’m offering you the chance to get your revenge. That’s what you wanted all along. I can give that to you.”

I curl my lip. “You’re hiding out in the hospital begging for my help. How much of a threat are you really?”

“I found you, didn’t I?” His mouth thins. “I could have gone back into hiding, but I came here instead. I came here to help you end Valentino once and for all. No, I’m not just doing this for you. I also want Valentino gone for my own reasons. And I know trusting me again won’t be easy for you. That’s why I’m making this gesture. I risked my own safety to come here in person to present this plan. I’m offering you the one thing you really want: revenge.”

Revenge against Valentino was all I could think about not so long ago. Now, that thirst for retribution has faded. I don’t like Valentino. I still blame him for the stress he caused my father that I believe played a part in my father’s death. But I’ve also seen a different side of the story. Even though Valentino was very harsh in how he punished my father, he thought he was being generous by sparing my father’s life. I think heactuallybelieves that.

But most of all, my respect for Dario has softened me toward Valentino. People like to dismiss Dario’s loyalty to Valentino as him being weak. A yes man. But Dario is a brave, intelligent alpha. There’s a reason he’s loyally served Valentino all these years. He knows who Valentino truly is, and he chooses to stand beside him. Dario is my alpha, and his devotion to Valentino has influenced me. I no longer want to kill Valentino.

Carlo must see something in my expression because he curls his lip. “Wait. You don’t want revenge anymore?” He sounds incredulous and his expression is one of pure disgust. “How can that be?”

My face warms. “I still resent Valentino.”

“That’s it?” he growls. “You just resent him now? Nothing more? Have you forgotten how angry you were with Valentino before?”

I scowl. “I haven’t forgotten anything. But killing Valentino won’t bring me closure. I understand that now. Nothing will bring back my father. Nothing can make that right. But if I go against Valentino, I’ll just be embroiled in a nightmare I’d rather avoid.”

“So you’re just going to marry Dario and live happily ever after, while under the thumb of Valentino Siracuse?” He sounds incredulous.

“Happily ever after might be a stretch. But after what you pulled, I’ll never join forces with a fucking traitor like you, Carlo,” I mutter.“Never”

He sighs, his expression painted with frustration. “Well, this was fucking waste of time.” He pulls a knife out of his suit pocket. “I took a huge risk coming here, Alessio. This is your final chance. Will you change your mind and work with me?”

“I’ve already told you my answer,” I spit out, eyeing the knife.

His mouth thins. “Regrettably, if you won’t join me, I can’t have you running to Dario and fucking up my plans.”

My heart races at the grim look on his face. “I knew you were an untrustworthy snake.” I inch toward the edge of the bed. Unfortunately, the side railing is up, making a quick exit difficult.

---