Page 15 of The Mafia's Omega Queen

He looks wholly uncomfortable, but he shouldn’t. He’s family. He’s like my second dad, and I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for him.

He starts out, his words calculated, like he’s afraid he may say too much, but by the time he’s done, he’s animated. His arms are waving around as he talks, and there’s a huge smile on his face as he explains how Hunter had Gavin in a headlock last week, fighting over who would bring me dinner one night.

We both crack up at their antics and by the time he has the whole story laid out for me, tears are running down my face from laughing so damn hard. I don’t even remember the last time I completely let loose like this. It’s a really good feeling.

“So, how are you holding up?” Andre asks, glancing over at me. “It can’t be easy stuck in this bed.”

I snort, then shrug my shoulders. “It’s not so bad. But, damn, some fresh air would be nice. It gets a little stuffy in here after a while, and I’ve been stuck in here for weeks. Yeah, there’s a window, but it’s nowhere near as good as just stepping outside.”

“I’ll see what I can work up with getting you outside, even if only for a few minutes. I’m sure the guys won’t mind. But can I ask you something, without you getting offended?”

Never once has this man ever offended me, but my nerves rattle at his question. It’s obviously something he’s worried about will set me off. At this point, I think the only thing that would, would be him asking me to end things with my guys. But he would never do that. He’s like our own personal cheerleader when it comes to our relationship, proven especially when I went into heat.

I lean to the side, resting my head on his shoulder, just like I used to do with my dad when we would sit and have heart-to-hearts. “Ask away.”

“I was just wondering,” he fiddles with his hands in his lap nervously, “what your thoughts are about Vincenzo? Do you think you would be willing to give him a chance?”

I inhale sharply. That’s so far from what I was expecting to come out of his mouth. So much bad has happened with that alpha, and while he apologized, I just don’t know if it’s enough. But then again, who’s to say he even wants anything to do with me? We can easily come to a friendship—maybe—but anything more than that? I really don’t know.

“Maybe.” I shrug. “There’s a lot he needs to make up for. All the names, the times he’s blamed me for shit I didn’t do. It’s all added up and painted him in a pretty bad light. Plus, I mean, really? Why would he want me? He hates me. Hates everything I am. He’s made that very clear from the beginning. Not only that, but it’s not just me to think about. I would have to talk to Gavin, Arden, and Hunter. They should have a say in this decision, also. I’m not the only one who he wronged.”

“Well,” he laughs, “that’s a better answer than what I expected.”

“Not only that, but Arden and Hunter are my fated mates, and I’ve been in love with Gavin for years. I don’t know if I can ask those three to let someone else in.” I nibble my bottom lip. “But Gods, my instincts are screaming at me to say yes. I just don’t know if I can,” I whisper the last part.

Andre lifts his arm, wraps it around me, and pulls me into his side, hugging me tight. “You’ll figure it out. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Yeah, I like the sound of that.

The only thing I can hope is that he is on the same page. But we are so far from okay, it may not be possible to overcome all that has transpired this far.

My heart stalls as I stand in the hallway outside her door like a damn stalker, awaiting her answer. I came up here to check on her before I retired to my office for the rest of the day, and never expected to overhear this conversation. Part of me is dying to know, but the other part of me is scared beyond belief that I fucked things up so bad that it’s irreparable.

And the only person to blame is myself.

Fuck.

“Maybe. There’s a lot he needs to make up for. All the names, the times he’s blamed me for shit I didn’t do. It’s all added up and painted him in a pretty bad light. Plus, I mean, really? Why would he want me? He hates me. Hates everything I am. He’s made that very clear from the beginning. Not only that, but it’s not just me to think about. I would have to talk to Gavin, Arden, and Hunter. They should have a say in this decision, also. I’m not the only one who he wronged.”

God, is that what she thinks? She thinks I hate her? Jesus, I’m a fucking bastard. My own fated mate thinks I hate her when it couldn’t be further from the truth. But what have I done? Pushed her away at every turn because I was only focused on what I wanted. No wonder my whole family hates me.

“Not only that, but Arden and Hunter are my fated mates, and I’ve been in love with Gavin for years. I don’t know if I can ask those three to let someone else in.” She says more, but it’s so low I can’t hear it.

Fuck, princess. If you only knew I was your fated mate too.

There has to be some way to fix this.

I don’t know how long I stand there, lost in my thoughts, but I’m startled out of my mind when Andre leaves Haylee’s room, almost running me right over. Before he can say anything, I quickly put my finger to my lips and head back down the hall toward the stairs. Andre follows in my footsteps, a nervous air to him for even bringing me into their conversation. But shit, I could kiss the old man for doing it.

“I’m guessing you heard, sir.”

Spinning on my heel, I pin him with a raised brow, almost like I’m saying, of course, I did, without words.

“I apologize for even saying some—” I raise a hand, cutting him off.

“Thank you. I know that conversation wasn’t for my ears, but you’ve given me hope that I may be able to fix my wrongs.” I pull him into a hug, and he stiffens in my arms before patting my back. Shit, how long has it been since I’ve hugged the man that’s been like a second father to me. “What can I do?”

He mulls it over for a moment before his eyes light up. “She wants to go outside and get fresh air. It’s almost lunchtime, so how about I put together a picnic for you two while you talk to your brothers? Then you can take her out into the garden.”

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