Page 67 of Omega's Vengeance

I was wrong.

Obviously.

I distractedly observe that Carlo has passed out. Valentino has been torturing him since we brought him here yesterday afternoon. I’m hoping Valentino will just kill him and get it over with. But when Valentino really hates someone, he takes his time killing them. Ultimate suffering is his goal. Valentino has already severed two of Carlo’s fingers. I just don’t have the stomach for this today. I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind concerning Alessio. I don’t have the energy to sit here and watch Carlo die.

The dim basement is now silent except for the methodical scrape of metal on stone as Valentino sharpens his blade. Carlo jerks awake again, eyes wide. His breaths are ragged as he watches Valentino, his eyes fixed on the sharpened blade’s edge. He strains against the ropes binding him to the chair, the fibers digging into his skin.

Valentino lifts his gaze, dark eyes boring into Carlo's. "Betrayal can’t be tolerated." His voice was a low rumble that reverberates through the empty room. “You need to pay for what you’ve done.”

Carlo's pulse visibly throbs as Valentino circles behind him. The musky scent of sweat and fear permeate the air of the basement. “Please,” he whimpers. “Show me mercy.”

"Mercy?” Valentino laughs. “Why would I?”

“We’ve known each other a long time.” Carlo swallows hard. “We weren’t always at odds.”

“No. We weren’t. But I’m afraid your betrayal leaves a foul taste in my mouth.” Valentino scowls. “Plus, I never really liked you. You always rubbed me the wrong way.”

“Please,” snivels Carlo. “Spare me.”

Valentino sighs. “It would have been best if you’d just disappeared. You were foolish to come after Alessio. But then, you always were an arrogant asshole.” As he finishes speaking he slides the blade down Carlo’s cheek.

Carlo inhales sharply, clenching his fists as blood trickles down his cheek. His nostrils flare and he cries out.“Please.”

“You’d have shown no mercy to Alessio. You were about to gut him when Dario and I arrived on the scene.” Valentino's tone is smooth but laced with venom. “Why would you deserve mercy?”

“Because I… I have a wife. What about my daughter? Would you rob my baby girl of her father?” Carlo says, bottom lip trembling.

Valentino laughs. “You mean the wife you cheat on with any omega who’ll have you?”

Carlo winces. “I can be a better alpha. Just let me prove that to you.”

“I don’t really care if you can be better. I don’t want you around anymore. You’re a threat. You want to take down the Black Knives. There’s literally nothing that would make me spare you, Carlo.”

Carlo starts sobbing. “Please.”

Valentino rolls his eyes. “Can’t you even die like a man?”

I watch Carlo feeling nothing. There’s no pity in me for him. He’s ruthless. He would have killed his own cousin for money. He’s the lowest of low for turning on Alessio. I honestly think he’d trade his daughter’s life for his own if he thought Valentino would take that offer.

I grunt when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I tug my phone from my suit and frown at the screen. The call is coming from Los Demonios General Hospital. Fear that Alessio has taken a turn for the worse jolts through me. “Hello?” I answer, moving up the stairs of the basement.

“Dario?” Alessio’s voice comes over the line.

Relief floods me, but it’s quickly replaced by resentment. I’m afraid to speak incase I blurt out how angry I am at him. I don’t want him knowing he hurt me. I don’t want him knowing I care about him enough for that to even be possible.

When I don’t speak, Alessio says, “They’re releasing me in an hour.”

“Oh.” I close the door to the basement so that Carlo’s cries can’t be heard over the phone. “I’ll send someone to pick you up.”

There’s an awkward silence. “Can’t you come to get me?”

“I’m busy,” I say curtly.

“You’re toobusy?” He gives a confused laugh.

“That’s right. We’re dealing with Carlo. Speaking of which, I need to go. I’ll send someone to get you. Just be ready so you don’t keep them waiting.”

Alessio sighs. “Dario, what’s wrong? Why are you being so offhand?”

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