Page 54 of Omega's Vengeance

“The doctors said he’s lucky to be alive.” Lawrence laughs. “Apparently he has nine lives.”

“Yes,” I murmur. “I’m so glad he’s okay.”

“How did the engagement come about, sir?” Lawrence asks. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

I meet his curious gaze. “We worked well together. If we hadn’t, we’d have both died. I guess that sort of thing forms a bond between people.”

“I see.” Lawrence’s gaze flicks to the bite mark on my throat. “Well, I’m happy for you, sir. It’s good for you to have an alpha.”

I try not to bristle at the implication an omega can’t function without an alpha by their side. That idea is antiquated, but prevalent. I’ve been fighting against it most of my life. Even my father worried being head of the syndicate might be too much for me as an omega. It’s frustrating to have to deal with that nonsense in this day and age, but it is what it is. The only way to prove them all wrong is to excel.

Sergio holds up his glass. “Well, regardless of how this all came about, it seems like it’ll be a good thing. Here’s to your engagement, sir, and to working with the Black Knives. May both bring many blessings on our syndicate.”

The men toast me and the merger. I do my very best to appear excited about both. I plaster on a fake smile and pretend to be eager. I’m relieved when the conversation finally drifts away from my impending marriage. I spend the next hour talking to my captains about what the merge will mean for us. Everyone is taking the merge in stride. In fact, the men actually seem pleased about my engagement to Dario and the merge. I worried they’d resent the merge, but it’s the complete opposite. They’re excited at the concept of being a part of the Black Knives Syndicate.

I leave the meeting feeling very positive about things. I get in the passenger seat of the black SUV and Dario starts the engine.

“Did it go well?” he asks, pulling out onto the road.

“Surprisingly well.” I stare out the window at the run down business we pass as we make our way down the busy street.

“I’m glad.”

“Nobody seemed to blink an eye at the idea of you and I marrying. I find that so odd. I thought for sure at least one of them would have an issue, but no one seemed to. Or if they did, they kept it to themselves.”

He shrugs. “It’s not their place to question. They’re simply supposed to do as they’re told. Good men trust their leaders.”

“They are good men. Very good men,” I murmur, and then brighten. “You’ll never believe this, but Enzo isalive. He somehow survived his injuries.”

Dario nods. “Yes. I know.”

I scowl, shocked at his response. “Youknow? How would you know, but I didn’t?”

“One of our capos told me they found him at the cabin. They took him to the ER.”

Anger jolts through me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

He wrinkles his brow. “I didn’t think of it.”

“But… you knew how upset I was at the thought he wasdead.” I blink at him in bewilderment.

He gives me a sheepish look. “It just slipped my mind. I was busy. Valentino has had a lot of shit for me to handle. I just didn’t remember about Enzo.”

“My god, alphas are soselfish,” I growl. “I’ve been sick to my stomach about Enzo, and the whole time you knew he was alive.” I dig my nails into the armrest. “You’re a real insensitive jerk, Dario. You know that?”

He opens his mouth as if he’s going to argue, but then he says softly, “I’m sorry.”

Surprised at his apology, I grumble, “I don’t forgive you.”

He sighs. “Alessio, I’m not used to having anyone to tell things to. It just didn’t occur to me.”

“But I wasupset.”

“Yes.”

“You could have made me feel better by telling me about Enzo.” I study his rugged profile. He looks embarrassed, which serves him right. “Isn’t the alpha’s role to comfort his omega? You should have comforted me by telling me about Enzo.”

He winces. “Okay, I screwed up. I’ll do better in the future, okay?”

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