Page 75 of Omega's Vengeance

Dario frowns. “When it comes to the baby though, I know nothing.”

“I guess I’ll spend more time with Nico. I’m sure he’ll have lots of useful information.”

Dario looks relieved. “Yes. Nico and Valentino’s mother will be very useful to you.”

“Maybe Valentino can help you relax about being a dad. I’d have never thought he’d be a good father, but he obviously adores Antonio Jr.”

“He does.” He puts his hand on my stomach again. “This has been the strangest few weeks of my life,” he murmurs.

“Mine too.”

It’s bizarre to feel at peace with the idea of our wedding ceremony on Saturday. But to fight this union is like screaming at a tidal wave to stay back. There’s no stopping it. All I can do is go along with the swirling tide and pray I can keep my head above water.

****

The civil ceremony takes place in Valentino’s library. Sunlight streams through ornate stained glass windows at the far end of the long room. Towering bookshelves laden with leather-bound classics cast long, elegant shadows over the Persian rugs below, while the delicate aroma of aged paper and mahogany infuse the air.

The justice of the peace is younger than I pictured. Apparently the usual man wasn’t available, and they sent young Justice Harrison in his place. Justice Harrison has bright red hair, freckles, and big brown eyes. He clutches his bible as if it’s a lifeline as he takes his place beside Dario and I.

Dario looks handsome in a dark, silk suit with a pink tie. He’s shaved and his hair has been trimmed. My heart races as our eyes meet.

Marie looks demure in a pink lace dress with her dark hair pulled up in a sleek bun. Paolo stands next to her in a fitted dark suit, looking bored as he texts on his phone. Valentino and Nico are beside the rest of the family. Nico is seated, and baby Antonio is on his lap being exceptionally well behaved.

I thought I’d be nervous, but I feel calm. Perhaps that’s because Dario is next to me. I always underestimated the ability of an alpha to soothe their omega. Now that I’ve experienced it first hand, I can attest to the truth of it.

Justice Harrison clears his throat and glances at his notes. “Er… as we stand here in this library, I can’t help but think about how this room has been witness to countless stories nestled within its books. But now, as Alessio and Dario say ‘I do’ to one another, this room and us now witness a new story—their love story—binding them together in a simple, yet profoundly beautiful, celebration of love.”

I meet Dario’s gaze and his lips twitch. I myself have to stifle a laugh. I know Justice Harrison is trying his best to be poetic, but it just seems a bit cheesy if you ask me. He continues on referencing books and stories so often, I begin to feel like maybe we’re at a book club and not a wedding.

Thankfully, he eventually gets to the actual vows. As I pledge to Dario that I’ll stick by him for richer, or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, I find myself tearing up. It’s embarrassing. I’m not accustomed to showing my emotions in front of people. But Dario squeezes my hands and gives me a little wink. For whatever reason that tiny gesture helps center me.

Dario looks and sounds less emotional when he says his vows. But he looks deep into my eyes as he recites them. Ifeelhis sincerity. I know he’ll do anything to protect me. Comfort me. Cherish me. It’s difficult to reconcile this protective alpha with the thug I first met many weeks ago. I still feel the same lust and excitement I felt that night. But I also feel so much more now.

Our kiss at the end of the ceremony is deceptively chaste. Anyone seeing that kiss wouldn’t realize the sparks that fly when we’re alone. Once the ceremony is over, we enjoy some of the sponge cake, with raspberry buttercream filling. I can’t help grinning at how delighted Dario is to get some cake. The family toasts us with champagne, although Nico and I are stuck with sparkling cider.

At one point, Valentino catches me alone near the cake table. Dario is across the room teasing baby Antonio who is still on Nico’s lap. Valentino stops in front of me, his gaze assessing. He radiates power and aggression. I can’t believe I ever thought I could take him on and win. He’s definitely in another league.

My nerves flutter at the intensity of his stare. “Did you need something?” I ask gruffly, fingering my champagne flute nervously.

“Dario truly cares for you.” He narrows his eyes. “You’d better treat him well.”

My face warms. “This wedding wasyouridea.”

“Regardless of that, I need you to make him happy.”

I scowl. “Why don’t you worry about your own marriage?” I have every intention of making Dario happy. But I don’t like being nagged by Valentino.

“My marriage is perfection.” He sniffs. “I don’t have to worry about it.”

I sip some of my sparkling cider, annoyed when my hand shakes. Naturally, Valentino notices and he smirks. I’m sure my cheeks are pink as I meet his gaze. “Dario will be as happy as I can make him. Now go away and stop bullying me.”

He glances at Dario who’s now holding baby Antonio. When he returns his gaze to me, he murmurs, “If you break his heart. I’ll kill you.”

I sigh. “Will we ever have a conversation where you aren’t threatening me, Valentino? It’s really tiring.”

Valentino shrugs. “Dario is important to me.”

“He’s important to me too,” I snap.

---