Page 7 of Omega in Hiding

My face warms because is seems Mother has been spilling my secrets again. “While I do enjoy his work, I was planning on staying in last night. I had a headache, but I forced myself to go out to make you happy.” I give an exaggerated sigh. “But lately, nothing seems to make you happy where I’m concerned.”

He rolls his eyes. “That woe is me act may work with Mother and Nico, but it won’t work with me.”

Annoyed that he’s so perceptive, I scowl and drop the act. “Why can’t I live my life how I want?”

“Because you’re twenty-four and you’re a Syracuse. We don’t get to just do whatever we want.”

“Pfft, says the man who runs the entire city.”

“Yes, I do run the city.” He leans back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. “But it’s not all fun and games. I don’t just do what I want. Have you forgotten I had to take over from Father way earlier than planned? Don’t you think I’d have enjoyed just doing whatever I wanted for as long as I wanted?”

“You’re the oldest. It’s different for you. You always knew you’d have to take over. I’m the baby of the family. Nothing has ever been expected of me.”

He frowns. “You still have a role to play, Paolo. You’re an integral part of this syndicate. Maybe you’re not running things, but you’re a moving part that needs to step up and be seen and heard. The men need to know that you’re not just a pretty face.”

I grit my teeth. “I do plenty for the organization behind the scenes.”

“Well, you need to do more. You need to be out front, showing you’re invested in the Black Knives success. Collecting art and pretending it’s for money laundering purposes isn’t doing to fly with me. That goes for the two trips to Italy you took this year.”

I wince inwardly. I wondered how long it would take him to notice those trips on the expense report. “I was scouting for overseas contacts and new opportunities abroad. That sort of thing is critical for expanding the family’s international reach.”

Valentino laughs outright. “But, nothing ever comes of your travels. You simply lie in the sun and drink copious amounts of good wine and eat lots of delicious pasta. But that’s where it always ends.”

“You took Nico to Scotland,” I sputter. “How come that’s okay?”

“Yes, I did indeed take him to Scotland with me. I had to meet with John MacLeish of MacLeish Golf and Resorts. Nico and I also enjoyed ourselves while we were there, and I’m not about to apologize for that.”

I grimace. “I’m not begrudging you and Nico a trip. I just don’t see why only my trips are a waste of time.”

He widens his eyes. “Paolo, what you don’t seem to realize is from that one meeting with MacLeish, I’ve now got us involved in fantastic money laundering opportunities abroad.”

I wrinkle my brow. “In what way? They’re just golf courses.”

He looks taken aback. “Do you actually not realize that golf courses involve significant cash flow and high operational costs which work to our benefit? Not to mention international finance and tax laws can be exploited to minimize tax liabilities on profits earned overseas. That was truly a working trip, but I enjoyed the hell out of it because Nico was with me. I don’t feel the least bit guilty for making my omega happy while alsotrulyexpanding our empire.”

Guilt nudges me because I adore Nico and would never want him to miss out on a wonderful vacation with Valentino. “I said I don’t begrudge you guys a nice trip. I just feel like you expect an awful lot from me. I’m not as experienced as you, Valentino. Brokering big deals isn’t my expertise.”

He sighs. “I know.”

“Then why are you disappointed in me for taking a few harmless trips to Italy?” I’m laying the guilt on a bit thick, but I really don’t want to have to do a lot more work. I like living the playboy lifestyle. I like sleeping with a variety of omegas. Settling down and just working all the time sounds horriblyboring. I don’t want to claim an omega yet, despite what my family would prefer. It’s way more fun to live well and travel when I want. I’m young and I’m sowing my oats. What’s so awful about that?

“I’m not disappointed in you, Paolo. But it’s time for you to step up and take on more duties. I need you to get more involved in the family business. It’s time for you to grow up a bit. You have a good heart and a great personality. People love you. But you don’t have anydrive. When you’re home, you seem content to just languish around this house, never pushing yourself to take on more responsibilities.”

He’s not wrong, so I can’t even argue. I stare at him, trying to ignore the guilt I feel deep down. I realize I don’t pull my weight. But I’ve gotten away with it for so long, I have no desire for the fun to end. He stands and comes around the desk, perching on the corner. I meet his gaze, chin lifted stubbornly, waiting for the lecture I know is coming.

“There’s also the matter of your lack of interest in omegas.” His voice is strained probably because he knows I’m going to balk at this turn in the conversation. “While you never want to address the issue, it’s a problem, Paolo.”

“I have plenty of interest in omegas.” I smirk.

“I meanseriousinterest. It’s time you thought about claiming an omega.”

I stiffen and rasp, “I won’t be forced into a marriage like you were. There’s no need for that. You had to find an omega because you were taking over the Black Knives. No one cares if I’m attached to an omega or not. I have lots of time for that.”

He shrugs. “It’s true I was pushed into marriage. But look how happy I am. The best thing that ever happened to me was Nico.”

I shake my head. “Nico is special.” To be honest, even I have a bit of a crush on Nico. He’s so sweet and funny. My brother truly lucked out when he was forced into marrying Nico. “The odds of me finding an omega like Nico are slim. And I simply have no interest in claiming an omega yet.”

Valentino grimaces. “Please tell me you’re not… a virgin?”

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