Page 53 of Claimed Omega

“So, you believe us that he killed Don and not us, right?” I asked, a surge of desperation coming over me, an eagerness to know someone else was on our side and didn’t doubt us.

“I knew from the beginning he did,” Rusty grunted. “But without evidence, I didn’t have a leg to stand on against him.”

“What’s the plan, then?” Shadow shuffled forward in his seat, the air in the car thick. “He wants us in by the end of tomorrow, no doubt to finish us off for good, but I need to rescue my men. And we need a way to get Axel to confess.”

“You won’t get a confession out of that prick. So, there’s another way. You, Shadow, are the rightful heir to the mafia family. Don put it in writing. If you can take Axel out, it will put you in charge, and no one will hurt you without taking on the wrath of the whole Matteis family.”

I gasped.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me this before?” Shadow snarled. “We had the perfect moment this week.”

My breaths were racing, frustration squeezing around my lungs at the news. Daniel held onto me closer.

“Calm the fuck down. There are rules to everything. It’s not just a shot in the back from a distance and you’re done. You must be seen taking him out in front of others, fighting to claim the role he took from you before his guards get you. And I only just discovered this after speaking with some of the elders in the family about the Rite rule. Not many know this, not even the fuckwit, Axel.”

“Are you sure about this, Rusty?” Daniel asked, his voice sharp.

“I’m positive. This is the only way. Remove the snake’s head, and his men will stop.”

“Fine, then,” Shadow stated, chin high. “I’ll go and fuck him up, then end this.”

Maybe it was just my paranoia, but I doubted it’d be that easy.

“It’ll be close to impossible to reach him before his men take you out,” Rusty stated. “I’m going to risk everything because I hate that fucking snotface jerk. Be ready by dawn. I’ll be here to pick you up and sneak you into the mansion.”

My skin pricked with goosebumps, hating how final he made it sound. As though this was the showdown to end all showdowns—and tomorrow, one man would die. I just prayed it wasn’t my Shadow. Barely catching my breath, I couldn’t find any words to say or how much I didn’t like this plan.

“Now, get the fuck out of my car,” Rusty barked.

Daniel opened the door, and we scrambled out of the SUV. Rusty drove away as we sprinted through the lofty front gates of Daniel’s place into the safety of his enclosed courtyard. In seconds, we were in his home, him clicking the locks at the door. Daniel and Shadow started rushing about the home, checking that we were indeed alone. I hoped wherever Daniel had left Thelma safely outside the city, she’d be okay.

I couldn’t even focus on breathing. I kept going over Rusty’s words in my mind. We had to go to the Matteis mansion because Axel had Aspen and Viper, and for all we knew, he was torturing them. Just thinking of them hurt, broke me, and had me shaking with worry.

To finally find someone I loved and have them in danger was like having my heart ripped out of my chest, piece by piece. The fear was constant, a heavy weight that settled under my ribcage and refused to budge.

I wandered across the living room when Shadow and Daniel returned, appearing calm enough to tell me we were safe for now.

“I’m scared,” I admitted openly, and the words were like a gate to my emotions, shoving them open. There was no stopping the tears streaming down my cheeks. I hated feeling weak, but everything of late just bubbled to the surface.

Daniel and Shadow were at my sides in seconds, embracing me and kissing away the tears. Before I knew it, we were in one of the bedrooms, all three lying down, with me sandwiched between them. Shadow was at my back, spooning me, his hands stroking my arm and hip, soothing me. Daniel lay facing me, resting his head on a bent arm, his other hand stroking my hair and collecting my tears.

“You don’t have to be scared,” Shadow whispered in my ear, his grip on me reassuring.

“I know, but…” I gasped for air. “Tomorrow feels like a death sentence. And we don’t even know how Aspen and Viper are. I can’t lose any of you because I have no one else in this miserable world who would care and love me like all of you do. And I can’t live without you.”

Daniel kept wiping away my fresh tears.

I twisted my head, glancing back at Shadow and the worry on his face.

“What if we don’t make it out alive?”

“We’ll survive.” My Alpha leaned in and kissed the top of my head. “I promise you. And I’ll get out in one piece.” Shadow assured us, his tone stoic and doing that thing where he hid his emotions.

“Wait? We’re coming, too,” I shot back instantly. “There’s no way we’re going to let you go alone.”

“She’s right,” Daniel supported.

“It’ll be easier for Rusty to sneak in one person than three.” Shadow’s brows pulled together into a furrow. “And I want this done fast.”

---