Page 39 of Omega's Vengeance

His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Think about what I said. I don’t care if you have to fake it, you need to apologize to Valentino.Maybethen I can keep you alive.”

“I’m never going to apologize to him. Not ever.”

Frustration paints his face, but he just shrugs. “Then God help you.” He heads to the door and he leaves.

I lie on the bed, trying to think of how to get out of the mess I’m in. When I suddenly realize he forgot to tie my arms again, I sit up feeling excited. I wait for him to return, realizing his mistake. But he doesn’t. Heart racing, I get off the bed and hurry toward the door. It’s locked from the outside. I haven’t seen many bedrooms that lock from the outside. My guess is they switched the door knob around when they realized they were going to hold me prisoner. That’s okay. I’m sure there’s something in this room I can use to pick the lock.

It goes through my head that maybe Dario left my arms free on purpose. He instinctively wants to keep me alive. But he’d never do anything to put Valentino in danger, and he knows full well I want Valentino dead. It’s far more likely he was just flustered and forgot to tie me up again.

Whatever the reason, he did indeed forget to tie my arms. That’s an unbelievable stroke of luck for me. With a snide laugh, I begin to search the room for something that will help me escape.

Chapter Nine

Dario

Valentino isn’t happy with me when I enter his library. He’s seated near the fireplace, sulking. We usually get along like butter and pasta. Our relationship is more like brothers than boss and employee, and sometimes the lines get blurred. But we aren’t brothers. He’s the leader of the Black Knives, and it’s important I remember that. It’s dangerous not to.

I don’t blame him for being upset with me. I behaved recklessly with Alessio, and now Valentino has to deal with the repercussions. By giving Alessio my bite, I’ve complicated an already complicated situation. Valentino doesn’t like complications, so now I’m in the doghouse.

“Boss,” I say softly, “I’m sure I’ll get through to him eventually. He’s young and he thinks he’s in the right. That makes him pig headed.”

He scowls at me. “He’s never going to see it our way. You must know that.”

My stomach churns as I hold his surly gaze. I do know the odds of Alessio ever coming to his senses are teeny tiny. “I have to try.”

“Do you?” He sniffs dismissively. “I say we slit the punks throat and be done with it. Why won’t you just let me kill him?” He sounds like a petulant child. “I’d be happy to do it. You wouldn’t even have to be there.”

I clench my jaw because just hearing him talk about killing Alessio makes the hairs on the back of my neck stiffen. I worry what I’d do if he tried to kill Alessio. I don’t think I’d be able to just stand mute. Even though I can’t conceive of going against Valentino, I also can’t fathom allowing him to kill Alessio right in front of me.

“If I hadn’t given him my bite, I’d be only to happy to kill him myself, sir.”

“Yes, but you did give him your bite.” He narrows his eyes. “That was unusually reckless of you, Dario. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t thinking.” I sit in a chair opposite him, slumping against the arm rest. “He went into heat and I went into a rut.”

“That explains why you fucked him, not why you claimed him.”

“Yes.” I grimace, feeling foolish. “Your mother thinks we might be fated mates. She says that’s probably why I lost control.”

Valentino rolls his eyes. “Yes, I’m well acquainted with my mother’s nonsensical ideas about fated mates.”

I happen to know his mother thinks he and Nico are fated mates. I also happen to know Valentino has accepted the idea. I ignore the nudge of irritation that goes through me. Why is he willing to accept Nico and he are fated, but reject the idea I might be fated to Alessio?

Mine is not to reason why.

I sigh. “Whether we’re fated or not, he’s my problem.”

“He’s my problem too, seeing as he wants me dead.” Valentino’s expression is dark. “What good are you to me if you’re only worried about that omega? I need my second to be at his best. If you’re perceived as weak then I look weak.”

“Neither one of us are weak,” I grouse. “And I’m perfectly capable of doing myjob, Valentino.”

“You should have killed him on that mountain.”

“I know, but I couldn’t do it.” My voice is painted with frustration. Valentino has every right to be irritated with the situation. I’m just hoping I can keep him calm enough not to kill Alessio before I can figure out a solution that pleases all parties involved.

His irritable expression softens slightly as he watches me. I’m sure it’s more than obvious I’m a wreck. He leans toward me, clasping his hands. “Do you think he’s carrying your child?”

“Probably.” I pat my shirt pocket. “I have a packet of morning after pills. I planned on giving them to him when I went to his room.” I exhale tiredly. “I got distracted when I walked in and saw you about to gut him like a fish.”

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