Page 35 of Marcello
“Sure. But come back for a bit? Please?” Marcello tugged me with him, and I heard chuckling behind us. I looked over myshoulder at Master Vincent, who was grinning. That completely transformed his face into something I didn’t expect. There was no denying that the man was attractive. But I knew who he was, and that instantly made him unattractive in my eyes.
Once we were back in the office, Marcello closed the door and pushed me up against it. I smiled up at my mate, who was looking at me like he wanted to have a taste. “Umm…hi,” I said.
“Hello,” Marcello said as he lowered his head toward mine. I grinned up at him, but my head thunked back onto the door when Marcello moved to the side and trailed his lips up my neck. “We need to work on communication,mio angelo. Me with being more open, and you with not jumping to conclusions and running away,” he whispered as his lips moved up my neck and to that super-sensitive spot just below my ear. I giggled and squirmed, which caused Marcello to stop, and then I realized he was laughing as well.
He moved back enough to look up at me and then kissed my lips quickly before he picked me up. I squeaked but held on as he carried me from the office to the glass doors that went outside. Marcello bent down, putting me close enough to reach the knob. “If you would, please?” Marcello asked.
I opened the door, and Marcello carried me outside. It was gorgeous out, and I took a deep breath of the late-morning air. “I can’t believe it’s April and this nice out,” I said. “There was still snow on the ground when I was last in Montana.” Marcello’s smile dimmed, but I touched the side of his face, hoping to ease some of his guilt. “I don’t regret being here with you,” I said. “I’m trying to have an open mind and give everything and everyone a chance, but it’s just going to take some time. Please don’t feel bad. You don’t regret the fact that we’re together now, do you?” I asked, suddenly unsure.
Marcello set me down on my feet next to a fancy cement bench that was in front of an even fancier fountain. “Not at all. Iam upset that things happened the way they did, but no, I cannot regret that you are now my claimed beloved, and we are going to be welcoming twins into this world sometime next month. That’s quick, and I’ll have to get used to having babies in such a short amount of time, but I could never be upset to have you in my life.”
I pulled my eyes away from the fountain and smiled up at my mate. “Will you open up to me? Even just a little? I know you’ve killed people, Marcello,” I said as I glanced back at the fountain. The sound of water spraying and trickling was soothing.
“I’ve done more than just kill people,mio angelo. Much worse.”
I sighed and looked back at the fountain. I could certainly see myself curling up in my fox form and hanging out near here once I could shift again. It would be a great place for an afternoon nap. Only that wasn’t going to happen any longer. I would have the twins to take care of. “So you’re willing to claim me, spend a heat with me, yet you won’t open up to me,” I said. I hoped that the hurt I was feeling could be seen on my face. I was certain he could sense it through our bond. “You were right. You’re an asshole, and I don’t see how we can continue on with our relationship if you aren’t willing to accept and trust me completely.”
I started to walk away, but Marcello stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “I do accept and trust you,” he argued.
I shook my head. “No you don’t. If you did, you would share yourself with me,” I said quietly. I glanced over my shoulder at my mate and gave him a sad smile. “I’ve given up absolutely everything to be with you. My home, my friends, my entire life that is on the other side of the world. For you. For us. And you can’t even give me the decency to open up our bond with me. How is that supposed to make me feel?” I shrugged Marcello’s hand off my shoulder and walked away.
I reentered the house through the door and left the office. As I walked down the hallway and saw an open doorway, I naturally glanced in and saw that it was Master Vincent’s office. His was much larger than Marcello’s, but that made sense. He was the coven master. I offered a sad smile but continued onward.
I let my nose lead me toward the kitchen. A small snack would be nice and might help calm my stomach a bit. I was going to be having lunch with my mate and the coven master in under an hour, but I really didn’t think I could wait that long. I needed something now.
I smiled when I rounded the corner and found the kitchen. Marcello had shown it to me before, but this place was so damn big that I knew I wouldn’t be able to find anything without a map. At least not for some time yet.
“Hello, Abel. How are you feeling?” Mazzi asked. “I am just having a snack before lunch. Care to join me?”
My smile widened. “I’d love to.” I climbed up onto one of the stools that were at the overly large island, and there was suddenly a plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers in front of me. Then a cup of steaming tea joined, and I moaned. “You know exactly how to treat a pregnant omega,” I said.
Mazzi laughed. “Well, since I’m a pregnant carrier, I’d have to agree with you.”
I picked up a cube of cheese and popped it into my mouth. It was so good I closed my eyes and savored it for a moment.
“I wanted to apologize,” Mazzi said.
I opened my eyes and looked at the warlock. “What for?”
“For kidnapping you. I thought it was a good thing to do at the time, but I know kidnapping someone is never a good thing.”
“Thanks,” I said because I didn’t know what else to say. “I was honestly mad and irritated at first. And then I scented my mate in that room. That calmed me so much.” I sighed. “We have some things to work out, and communication is a serious issuewith us.” I smiled. “Can I ask you a question? I don’t care if you share it with your guy, but can it not go further than that?”
Mazzi stared at me for a moment before he nodded. “Unless it involves the family, I won’t share it.”
I hesitated because I guess since it was about Marcello, it definitely involved the family. “Never mind, then.” I looked down at the cheese and wondered if I could manage to keep any of it down. My stomach was suddenly churning. I should have known that Mazzi’s loyalty would be to Vincent and the family and that I wouldn’t find any friends here.
“Hey,” Mazzi said, his hand gentle on my shoulder. “What is it that you wanted to ask?”
I shook my head. “No. It was about Marcello, and since that involves family?—”
“Oh, well then, ask. He’s nice, and I don’t dislike him, but unless it’s going to potentially put the family in danger, I would have to share with others.”
My eyes widened. “No, nothing like that.” I sighed. “I had shit parents growing up, and possibly even shittier siblings. I don’t really know much about bonds and how they actually work. I was wondering if you knew how to filter things?” I asked. “I don’t want to cut Marcello off, but I want to not share absolutely everything with him. My parents never taught me about the bond, and I never really thought to ask some of the others at the council how it works.”
Mazzi smiled kindly. “I’m sorry you had such terrible parents. I know that not all families and covens and things are the same and don’t always help prepare everyone for what’s to come.” Mazzi picked up his own tea and took a sip. “With your bond, right now, what do you feel?
I shrugged. “There’s a lot of just nothing when I reach out to Marcello. I don’t mind him knowing what’s going on with me,but does the man need to know every time I need to go to the bathroom? Or when I’m wondering about what I want to eat?”
