Page 51 of Omega's Vengeance

Paolo glances up. “Morning, Dario.” Paolo is a young, good looking alpha. He has the same dark hair and light blue eyes as Valentino. He’s only twenty-four, but he’s got the confidence that comes from being related to one of the most powerful men in Los Demonios. “Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

“Valentino has been keeping me busy,” I murmur, helping myself to scrambled eggs and bacon from the buffet. Once I’ve filled my plate, I take the seat next to Alessio. “Good morning, Alessio.”

Alessio gives me a surly glance, but says nothing. He instead scoots his chair away from mine a bit, and focuses his attention on his plate. His happy mood has evaporated instantly at my arrival. He doesn’t seem to have missed me over the last few days. Can’t say I’m surprised. Of course, even if the little shithadmissed me, he wouldn’t tell me.

“Have you found Carlo yet?” Marie asks brightly, holding a delicate pink tea cup between her hands. She sips from the cup as she waits for my reply.

“No. The coward is hiding,” I say.

Paolo laughs. “Of course he is. If you had the Black Knives looking for you, you’d hide too.”

Alessio glances at Paolo, but doesn’t join in the conversation. I feel his tension though. The subject of Carlo bugs him. I’m sure he’d love to help find Carlo, but that’s out of the question. I wouldn’t allow that even if Valentino was okay with it. Carlo is way too dangerous. At this point, he has nothing to lose.

“I was thinking Saturday would be the perfect day for the wedding ceremony.” Marie smiles at Alessio, but he just drops his gaze to his plate. His high cheek bones are painted a rosy color, and his hand trembles slightly.

“I haven’t made any arrangements.” I grimace. “I’ve been too busy.” I turn to Alessio. “Have you planned anything yet?”

Alessio recoils. “God, no.”

Stamping down my irritation at his boorish behavior, I ask, “Do you have any requests? Any favorite flowers? Or do you have an opinion on what flavor cake we should order?”

“No. It doesn’tmatter,” Alessio grates out. “It’s not a real wedding. We don’t need to plan anything. We simply need to get someone to officiate the stupid ceremony.”

Paolo laughs nervously, giving me a wary glance, and Marie pretends she didn’t hear Alessio. She sips her tea studiously, probably wishing she could leave the room and avoid the brewing drama.

I have no desire to fight with Alessio in front of them. I keep my voice patient as I say, “There are still things that need to be done. We need to get the marriage license. Even if the marriage is arranged, it might be nice to have a catered meal afterward. Perhaps some flowers for the ceremony would be pleasant?”

“Why bother?” grumbles Alessio. “It’s a sham marriage.”

“You know, Alessio,” Paolo says. “Valentino and Nico’s marriage was also arranged, but they’re extremely happy now.”

“How nice for them,” Alessio says under his breath.

“Did I hear my name?” Nico asks as he enters the dining room. He’s holding baby Antonio, whose eyes are fixed like a tractor beam on the food buffet. Baby Antonio loves to eat. He’s a chubby happy baby, with dark black hair and eyes. He giggles gleefully as Nico hands him to his Nonna.

Marie’s eyes light up as she holds her grandson. “Are you hungry, Antonio? Shall Nonna get you something to eat?”

The baby claps his hands happily and she rises and heads to the buffet with him. I watch her with Antonio, wondering if she ever wishes he had her son’s blood, instead of that rat Roberto’s. If she does mind, she never shows it. She appears to love him as if he were her own son’s child.

“We were just telling Alessio that arranged marriages aren’t all bad.” Paolo says, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

Nico glances at Alessio. “They aren’t all good either. Relationships take work no matter how you meet.”

Alessio says nothing.

I clear my throat. “Half of the marriages where people marry for love fail. The odds might actually be better for arranged marriages.”

Alessio scowls. “Right. Nothing spells bliss like being forced into marrying someone you wouldn’t usually give the time of day to.”

My face warms at his disrespectful attitude, but I brush it off. Getting into a big argument in front of everyone will serve no purpose. “This marriage will be good for you and the Abella Syndicate. You’ll see, Alessio.”

Alessio opens his mouth to say something, but Nico speaks over him. “Are you having any morning sickness, Alessio?”

Alessio is definitely distracted bythatquestion. “No. I… I don’t even know if I’m… pregnant.” That pink flush has returned to his face.

Nico laughs. “I’m sure you are. Dario gave you his bite.”

“Still,” Alessio mumbles. “Maybe I got lucky and my body rejected his baby.”

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