Page 70 of Omega's Vengeance

Valentino grits his teeth, but then his expression changes. He purses his lips, looking thoughtful. “Well, in that case, maybe I’ll just have to make other plans.”

“Now you’re talking.” I nod.

He gives a sly smile. “I’ll have Paolo marry him instead.”

I flick my irritable gaze to him.“Excuse me?”

He shrugs. “Plans are already in motion. If you’re too scared of Alessio to pull the trigger on the wedding, it still needs to happen. Paolo likes Alessio. He’d probably do it for the family.”

“Are you serious?” I grate out. “I gave Alessio mybite. You can’t just hand him over to another alpha.”

“Says who? He can always have skin grafts to have the bite removed.”

“There’s more to it than just the bite mark, and you know that,” I rumble.

“Is there?” Valentino looks away and I swear he’s trying not to laugh. “I have to do something if you don’t want him. Drafting Paolo in to close the deal might be the perfect solution. The merge has to happen.”

I already had a little insecurity where Paolo was concerned. Him and Alessio seemed to laugh a lot together, and they’re the same age. Does Valentino know that I might feel threatened? Is the rat trying to spark my alpha instincts to life? I narrow my eyes. “You’re not going to make Paolo do that. I don’t believe for one minute you’d make him marry Alessio.”

Valentino grins. “Nah.”

Relieved, I blow out a harsh breath. “You’re such an asshole sometimes, Valentino.”

“I know.” He smirks. “But it was worth it to see the expression on your face when I implied Paolo could fill your shoes.”

My face is warm as I glare at him. “This situation isn’t funny. I could very well end up dead if I marry Alessio.”

“Or you might end up happy. Imagine that, friend.” He shakes his head. “I’ve seen how lonely you are the last few months. The way you watch Nico and I. You think I haven’t noticed, but I have. You’re ready for an omega of your own. I don’t know why you’re fighting this so hard.”

“You do know why.”

Valentino leans forward. “Talk. To. Him. You can’t understand what’s going on inside that head of his if you don’t talk to him. You’re jumping to conclusions based on something he said in the heat of the moment. That’s silly. Go to your omega. Stop being a pussy.”

“I’m not a pussy.” I stand, anxiety eating at me. “I’ll go talk to him, but you better understand I’m not marrying him if what I suspect is true.”

He waves his hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. Stop yapping and go talk to Alessio.”

I scowl and leave the apartment, exiting through the outside door. For security reasons, that’s the only way in and out of the basement. I head around to the front of the big house, just in time to see Alessio exiting a black SUV.

The second I see him, I have a physical reaction. Just a glimpse of Alessio, and every cell in my body throbs for him. I hate the universe in that moment. I hate not being in control of my emotions. It’s unfair. This need for Alessio is all consuming and illogical. How dare some unseen force bond me to another person without my permission.

Alessio glances over and our eyes meet across the distance.

When he gives me an uncertain smile, my insides turn to goo. My anger and suspicions drain away in an instant. That isn’t the look of a person who wants me dead. He’s happy to see me. I can see it. I canfeelit. Even from this distance, I can sense his relief that I’m near. He’s missed me. He needs me. He wants me. I suddenly feel calmer.

Maybe Valentino was right. Maybe I’m just scared. It’s a frightening thing to commit to someone. I’ve never done it before. The only person I’ve pledged undying loyalty to is Valentino. But romantically, I’ve never given myself fully over. But as my eyes lock with Alessio’s, I know that’s what I’ve already done with him. He’s mine and I’m his. Scared or not, I don’t see how we can ever go back from that.

I move toward him, feeling breathless. His sweet scent carries on the breeze. He smells like honeysuckle. His aroma brings to mind happiness. Hope. Moving toward him is like moving toward a golden sunrise.

Valentino is right. I have been lonely. I didn’t want to acknowledge it. I tried to drown those feelings with sex and booze, but they were always still there in the light of day. Was I unable to find someone because I was destined to be with Alessio?

I reach Alessio and stop in front of him. The old me would have played hard to get, but I can’t help slipping my hands around his waist, and tugging him close. His body folds into mine as if we’re made from the same mold. It feels so right to hold him again.

A line appears between his blond brows and he grips the front of my shirt. “Where have you been?” he grumbles. “You just left me alone at the hospital.”

“You were safe,” I say gruffly. “I had things to do.”

“You had things to do? I almost died.”

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