Page 19 of Mafia's Broken Omega

Andro smirked. "Anything for family."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile. Moments like this let us forget about the threat that hung over our heads. It was almost like we were normal.

"We should get going. Jeremiah is a miracle worker with multiple kids, but even he has his limits," Felik said.

"Of course. Thanks again for your help."

"Yes, thank you. It means a lot to us." Avery laced his fingers in mine as he stood next to me. HIs head rested on my shoulder.

"Absolutely. We're in this together." Felik squeezed my shoulder.

"I'll show you out." I nodded.

"I'm gonna take a look at the nursery," Avery said.

"I'll be back soon." I gave him a quick kiss on his forehead.

As we made our way downstairs, Andro turned back to business. "We'll get this figured out, Cord. We always do. Make a list of anyone who would have known about Avery."

"Most of my staff would have known. Our arrangement lasted a little while before he took off. We weren't discreet. There was no need to be."

"I was afraid of that," Andro said.

"Enough shop talk. Let's focus on the good things," Joey said. "You're going to be an amazing dad, Cord."

"Thanks, Joey." With friends by our side and Avery back where he belonged, we had no choice but to get through this.

12

AVERY

Living in Cord's home was like being on an extended vacation. I mean, I worked—I still made my T-shirts and completed the orders that came in, which seemed to somehow be increasing yet again. I had even enlisted Jeremiah's help when he was around, since Felik visited often. It was nice to have other people to talk with when I wasn't working. I could enjoy the pool or the hot tub. There was plenty of space for me to enjoy my time outside, as long as I had guards with me, which I did.

That took some getting used to.

Then, of course, there were my nights spent in Cord's arms. It wasn't a new place for me, but I had missed it like a homesickness I'd never let myself fully acknowledge. The two of us had let feelings creep into a business arrangement long before fear over this pregnancy sent me running for the hills. The topic lingered around us like a bad smell neither of us fully acknowledged.

Still, it didn't seem quite real. What would happen once the baby came or once we found out who was making threats? Would I goback to my apartment? Would I get shipped off to a home paid for by Cord? Those were all things I really should talk to him about, but right now, I was just happy not to be alone.

I loved running my business, and I loved my designs and making my customers happy, but that was no substitute for actual friendships. Now that I had other people to talk with, it made me realize just how much I missed the other dancers that I had gotten close to. Maybe when this was all over, I could contact them again.

Another benefit to staying with Cord was that I didn't have to go anywhere to ship my orders. I simply packaged them and handed them off to whatever guard or one of Cord's people who worked that day, and they did the work. That left me with more time to make designs, nap, or swim in the pool. I was spoiled.

"So, what do you want to do tonight when the other omegas come over?" Jeremiah asked.

"I don't know," I said, nibbling on a cracker. Jeremiah had brought in a makeshift charcuterie board with fresh cheeses and crackers on it. It sat on the coffee table in front of us and I was working my way through taste-testing every bit of it. Everyone seemed intent on making sure I ate and drank enough water. I had never peed so much in my life.

"What do you guys usually do when you get together?"

"Gossip, complain about our alphas, trade sex stories."

I laughed. "So just regular omega things."

"Exactly. Connor mentioned he wanted to learn how to dance on a stripper pole. Maybe you can give him some pointers."

I snorted. "I haven't touched a pole in months. I've probably forgotten how. It's a great way to stay in shape, though."

"You should ask Cord to get one installed in your bedroom."

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