Page 59 of Omega's Vengeance

“Does it hurt when I press?” I ask.

He winces. “Yes.”

I mutter, “You might have internal injuries.”

“Fucking perfect.” His eyes are closed as he says softly, “Shit. I… I think I’m going to be sick.”

I help him over to a honeysuckle bush near a fence. He wretches for a few minutes. I’m relieved he doesn’t vomit blood or anything like that. I rub his back to comfort him, and once he quiets, I ask, “Can you walk?”

“I think so.” He grits his teeth and I help him to his feet. We go along for a bit, but he’s obviously struggling. At one point, he stops and mumbles, “Sorry. I just need a second.”

The pallor of his skin is alarming. Every alpha instinct in me is buzzing with anxiety. The need to protect him is eating at me, but I have no fucking clue what to do. If he is bleeding internally, he needs to get to the ER immediately. There’s nothing I can do for him.

“Look,” I say in a coaxing tone. “We just need to get to The Rattling Can. Luigi will have a car. I can take you to the ER from there.”

“I know, I’m just so dizzy.” He leans into me, resting his head against my chest. His breaths come in little puffs, and he clutches my shirt with his slender fingers. “You’re gonna get caught because of me. You should go, Dario. Leave me here.”

“I’m not leaving you here. Are you nuts?” I loop my arm around his waist. “You’re coming with me if I have to carry you.”

“Don’t be stupid. You can just come back for me with the car.”

“You’re the stupid one. If I leave you here, you’re a sitting duck,” I rasp. “So just shut up about it.”

“Dumb, Neanderthal,” he mumbles. “Don’t you even know enough to save yourself?”

Gritting my teeth, I lift him up and put him over my shoulder. He groans when his stomach presses against my shoulder. I know the position hurts him, but he’s going to die if I don’t get him to Luigi’s place soon. He needs actual medical attention. Even I can see that.

I start walking, going as fast as I can without jostling him too much. He moans in pain most of the way. His skin is hot and he’s sweaty. My anxiety spikes when he suddenly goes limp. “Alessio?” I growl. He doesn’t respond.“Fuck.”

I’m winded and wracked with worry when I finally reach The Rattling Can. Luigi is out front with Valentino. I’m so glad to see him, I could cry. I trust Valentino will help me, even if he can’t stand Alessio. He’ll do it for me.

Luigi gives me a cordial nod, and I reciprocate. But I don’t say anything. I’m too distracted. All I can think about is getting Alessio to the hospital.

Valentino takes one look at my face. “Get him in my car,” he says to his driver, Samual.

Sam runs around and opens the rear, passenger side door. I lay Alessio on the back seat. I’m as gentle as possible, but Alessio groans in pain. I move around to the other side and climb in. Valentino gets in the passenger front seat and Samual slides in behind the wheel.

“Let’s go.” Valentino swivels to look at me as he hooks his belt. “Did he get shot?”

“No. I think he’s bleeding internally from the accident.”

“Got it.” Valentino nods.

Alessio groans and starts thrashing around. I grab hold of his shoulders, and shift his head so that it rests in my lap. “It’s okay, Alessio,” I say quietly. “I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”

His eyes open briefly and they’re pinned on me. There’s fear and pain in those eyes. His face is shiny with sweat. He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his pale, slender throat. I’ve never seen him look quite so vulnerable. It’s painful to see. He’s scared. He’d hate knowing I can see that. He’s too prideful. He’s always so worried people will think he’s weak.

“It’s okay. I promise.” I stroke a lock of golden hair off his forehead. He sighs and closes his eyes again. He trusts me. He trusts I’ll take care of him because I’m his alpha. His faith in me is instinctive. He’s too weak right now for his ego to hide how he really feels. My chest tightens at the way he relaxes at my touch. It’s fascinating to watch him give himself over to my care.

I glance up and find Valentino watching me. “Carlo’s people might be watching the ER,” he says.

“I know.”

“It could be dangerous.”

I narrow my eyes, trying to understand his point. “Are you trying to say we shouldn’t go there or something?“

Valentino shrugs. “We could go to an ER out of the city.”

---