Omega Trapped: MM Mafia Romance Mpreg, page 6
“I don’t know that I agree. I need to know exactly what’s expected of me. Right now.”
“I can’t give you that. As I said, things will change as the years pass. If you don’t think you’re capable of going with the flow, bow out now.” My voice is hard.
“Which will mean certain death.”
I shrug. “I already told you nothing has changed. Make a decision. Should Dario show you to your room? Or would you prefer he take you back to that disgusting gas station?”
He clenches his fists. “I suppose I have no choice but to stay. I don’t want to die, and I don’t want you to murder people I barely know. The only way to protect myself and the innocents around me is to give you what you want.”
I smirk. “You’re finally catching on.”
Nico curls his lips, obvious hatred glittering in his eyes. He looks like he wants to punch me. If he had a gun in his hand, something tells me he’d pull the trigger.
Dario shifts restlessly. “If you’ll just follow me, Nico, I’ll show you to your room.”
Nico glances over at Dario. He hesitates, and then he moves towards him. His shoulders are squared, and his chin high. I’m sure this situation is hell for him, but that really isn’t my problem.
I meet Dario’s gaze. He looks almost disapproving. I’m not used to seeing that in his eyes when he looks at me. Does he feel sorry for Nico? Dario doesn’t tend to feel sorry for people anymore than I do. What is it about Nico that affects us?
“I’ll see you in the morning, Nico. We have much to discuss,” I call out.
Nico doesn’t respond. He leaves the room with Dario, his jaw clenched. I can’t help the perverse feeling of excitement sizzling through me. Nico is here now in my home. Soon maybe he’ll be in my bed. My cock hardens at the very thought of that. He’s under my control, whether he likes it or not.
Sure, he’ll fight me on a lot of things, but ultimately, I will win.
Chapter Six
Nico
Dario doesn’t speak as he takes me to my room. I’m buzzing with anxiety and regretting my decision to marry Valentino. I don’t trust him for obvious reasons. I know instinctively he’s going to toy with me. Valentino seems to delight in keeping me on edge. I want nothing more than to leave his home right this second, but I know that that will be a death sentence.
We stop at one of the many doors in the long hallway. Dario pushes open the door and steps aside, beckoning me in. I brush past him and take in the huge room before me. There’s a king-sized bed in the middle of the room, a fireplace with a crackling fire, and mahogany dressers and nightstands. At the far end of the room is a row of thick tapestry drapes. I assume behind those drapes are windows that look out over the grounds.
“If you don’t like this room, there are others to choose from.” Dario studies me. “This one is closest to Valentino’s room.”
“How convenient.” I scowl.
“From what I heard earlier, you two will be sharing a room after the wedding. What’s it matter if this room is close to his?”
“I don’t want to share a room with him,” I hiss. “I never agreed to that. He keeps changing the rules, and it’s bullshit.”
“It’s an ever-changing situation. Valentino is right. You need to accept that.”
“He’s manipulating the situation. Taking advantage of it. I never said I’d share a room with him. He’s up to something.”
Dario’s expression is impossible to read. “He won’t rape you. He’s not like that.”
“No. He’ll just murder me. That’s so much better,” I grumble and move toward the bed. “I don’t know how you can stand to work for him.”
“I’ve known him all my life. He’s like a brother to me.”
“Right. A brother who makes you do all his dirty work.” I run my hands along the burgundy silk comforter on the bed. There’s no denying this room is far more luxurious than anywhere I’ve ever slept. Too bad it’s in the house of a psychopath.
“I work for Valentino because I want to. I’m loyal to him because he saved me,” says Dario. “He isn’t who you think he is.”
“I suspect he’s exactly who I think he is. A brutal thug.” I turn and face Dario. “Why has he never married?”
Dario’s face tenses. “He’s never felt the need.”
“But now, because his father’s dying, he has to marry.” It’s not a question. Dario is fully aware of the situation. “What do you think about all of this?”
Dario narrows his eyes. “I don’t think my opinion matters in the least.”
“I know your opinion won’t change anything. I’m just curious.” I study his rugged face. “Do you think it’s fair that if I don’t give in to his demands, I’ll be murdered?”
“As I said, my opinion is of no consequence.”
I sigh. “You’re a well-trained monkey.”
His lips thin. “You can think what you want.”
“Oh, trust me, I will. But it can’t be easy on your pride to be ordered around like a mindless puppet.” It’s foolish to alienate Dario. It would’ve been far smarter to try and ingratiate myself with him. Unfortunately, I’m in a horrible mood. Dario is here; therefore, he’s getting the brunt of all of my frustrations.
“Valentino is a complex man. You think he has no heart, but you’re wrong. You could get a lot out of him if you play it right. Trying to go head-to-head with him, you’ll fail. There’s no other way it will end for you.” His voice is cold. “I thought you were smarter than you apparently are.”
My face warms. “I wonder how agreeable you’d be if you were in my situation.”
He lifts his lip in a sneer. “I’m not in your situation. If I were, I’d be much more cunning and strategic.”
“Oh really?” I scowl.
“Yes. But you’d rather throw a tantrum at me. I could be an ally, or I can be your enemy, Nico. You don’t seem to understand how to read people. That won’t serve you very well in this situation.”
“I just want to go home,” I rasp, eyes stinging. “I just want to go back to my old life.”
He squints at me. “You don’t even have a home. No job. You’re pregnant and unclaimed. You’re nothing but skin and bones because you’re starving. Why the fuck would you want to go back to that life?”
His description of my life is spot on. He obviously truly has been watching me for a while. “Better the devil I know than the devil I don’t know,” I say.
“That’s just something people tell themselves to feel better. Nothing good ever came of playing with any devil.” He moves to the door. “Let me give you some advice, Nico. Don’t alienate those around Valentino. You’re going to need friends to get through this adventure you’ve taken on.”
I give a hard laugh. “You want to be my friend, Dario?”
“Not me,” he rasps. “You and I will never be friends. I’m talking about Valentino’s family. His younger brother Paolo could be useful to you. His mother, Maria, knows her son well. They both know the truth about this situation, which will make them valuable to you. If I were you, I’d cultivate them. Your experience will be happier if you do that. But if you continue to fight and resent Valentino, you’re only hurting yourself.”
I don’t respond because I don’t know what to say. He’s probably right, but I’m not even sure Valentino’s family will be open to being my friend. Will they welcome me, or will they treat me like dirt?
Dario opens the door and glances back. “There are clean clothes in the drawers and closet. You should shower and try to get some sleep. Perhaps after a good night’s rest, you’ll be smarter.” He leaves, closing the door firmly.
Once he’s gone, I go through the drawers and find several pairs of silk pajamas. I pick the pair that seems closest to my size and go into the large bathroom off the bedroom. All the fixtures are gold, and the floor is marble, as are the counters. The shower is big enough for six people, and the marble continues in there as well.
I strip and climb into the shower. When I turn the faucet, I gasp at the first jolt of cold water. But very quickly, it turns hot. I haven’t had a real shower in months. Especially one with hot water. The makeshift shower at the homeless encampment was nothing compared to this opulence. The pressure of the shower head is incredible and makes the shower I’m used to seem like a dribbling garden hose.
There are bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. They smell of jasmine and honeysuckle and are silky smooth to the touch. At the encampment shower, I was lucky if there was a scrap of bar soap to be used. I scrub my body vigorously, wanting to rid myself of the stench of that disgusting restroom. I haven’t been fully naked for months. I hated even looking at my body because my growing belly gave me an ulcer. Now I thoroughly examine the changes that have occurred. There’s no denying the swell of my stomach. I cup my abdomen area, feeling numb.
“Why did you have to come along?” I hiss at my stomach. “You’ve fucked up my life royally.”
The size of my pregnant belly is unnerving. I’m so thin it sticks out more than I expected it might at three months. No wonder I couldn’t hide it anymore. At least now I know I can get an abortion. Valentino definitely doesn’t care. He just doesn’t want me to do it before the wedding. Was he serious about us getting married this week? Anxiety nudges me at the thought of the wedding. Will I have to perform for a large group of people? Or will it be a small intimate affair? I’m really hoping for the latter.
Once I’ve scrubbed every inch of my body, I get out of the shower and wrap myself in a huge white towel. There are stacks of towels in the bathroom, and I feel like I’m at a spa. I can’t even imagine living like this all the time. It’s been so long since I’ve had a home. Hot showers and sleeping in a bed seem like something a prince might do, but not me.
There’s a clean toothbrush and toothpaste on the counter, and I brush my teeth. The hot water of the shower felt good on my bruised face and body. I feel so much better already. By accepting Valentino’s proposal, I no longer have to worry about thugs coming to beat me up. Of course, the flip side of that is I now live with the thug who sent them to begin with. I shiver and rinse my mouth, spitting into the sink.
I dress in the silk pajamas, grateful they have a tie string at the waist. Pregnant or not, I’m extremely skinny. Once I’m dressed, I go to the drapes and peek out. Because it’s nighttime, there isn’t that much to see in the distance. But near the home itself, beneath my window, there is a lavish garden of roses and other flowering bushes. There’s a fountain and twinkling white lights strung in the trees. It looks like a magical fairyland, not the home of a brutal mobster.
Movement below catches my eye, and I notice a blond guy about my age slipping through the trees. Frowning, I wonder who he could be. There were armed guards at the front gates. I’m sure Valentino must have very good security, so I highly doubt this person is a burglar. Still, his movements seem furtive. If he belongs on the property, why sneak around?
As I watch, another dark figure detaches from the shadows. This time I recognize the tall figure. It’s Valentino. He goes in the same direction as the blond guy. His movements are also stealthy. Frowning, I watch him until he’s out of sight.
“What the hell is that about?” I mutter to myself.
I watch for a while longer, wondering if Valentino will return to the house. I give up before I see him come back. I don’t have the energy to play detective. My lids are heavy, and I’m exhausted. I decide sleep is far more important than spying on Valentino.
I crawl into the big bed, curling into a ball. It’s strange to be alone in a bed so huge. It’s far bigger than I need, but I can’t deny the soft mattress is Heaven. I press my face into the feather pillows, inhaling the clean scent of laundry detergent as grogginess descends. It’s so quiet in this room. This house. I’m used to the sounds of people all around me and traffic. Being in this room, I feel cut off from the world, but in a good way. It’s like a cocoon. I feel safe. That’s a strange thing considering I’m at the mercy of a cutthroat mobster.
Valentino’s face comes to my mind. His pewter-blue eyes can hold such cruelty at times. He looks at me as if I’m nothing. He makes me feel like a lowly pawn on a chess board. Despite his coldness, he is sexually aware of me. I can see that clearly. His eyes darken with lust when they linger too long on me. It’s not uncommon for an alpha to be sexually aware of an omega. What is unusual is that an alpha of his stature would pursue an omega like me. I know I’m attractive. Alphas often notice me. But I would think Valentino could have his pick of any omega he wanted. Why was he so focused on me? I’m still mystified by that. Was it simply that I rejected him that made me so… irresistible?
I close my eyes and push thoughts of that perplexing alpha out of my mind. I don’t want him in my dreams. Tomorrow will come soon enough, and I’ll have to face him in the flesh.
****
I sleep deeply. I don’t know if it’s because the bed is so comfortable or the complete silence of my room. I expected to sleep restlessly because of the situation I find myself in. Instead, I wake up refreshed. I’m curious, albeit nervous, about what the day will hold.
I don’t want to wear the dirty clothes I came to this house in, so I rifle through the closet and drawers and manage to find a pair of jeans that mostly fit. They’re a little baggy, but I find a belt to help hold them up. There are also a few long-sleeved shirts that fit me. They’re huge on my slender frame, but they’re certainly better than putting on my raggedy, filthy clothes.
Once I’m dressed, a bout of nausea hits me. I lay on the marble floor of the bathroom after fifteen minutes of vomiting into the toilet. I’m covered in sweat and weak as a lamb. Eventually, the sickness passes, and I sit up. I brush my teeth and lie on the bed for a few minutes until I feel stronger. Now that the nausea is gone, hunger slowly creeps up on me. I’ve barely eaten anything the last week. I need to search out food, but I don’t know my way around the house.
I decide the only way I’m going to get food is to go looking for it. I cautiously open my door and peek out. The hallway is deserted. I step out of my room, just as the door next to mine opens. Dario steps out of his room, wearing his usual five-thousand-dollar suit. His hair is damp and slicked back. He’s distracted, staring at his phone, so he doesn’t see me right away. That gives me a chance to study him.
His profile is aristocratic, with high cheekbones and an arched nose. My pulse speeds up because he’s gorgeous. Dangerous. I’m tempted to escape back into my room before he sees me, but before I can decide what to do, he turns his head. His expression doesn’t change when he sees me. He has an excellent poker face.
“You’re awake,” he says emotionlessly.
I nod, feeling inexplicably tongue-tied.
His eyes run over my body and then return to my face. His eyes flicker, and his mouth thins. “Did you fight the cops?”
I frown, thrown by the question. “What?”
“I meant to ask you last night. Did you fight the cops I sent to your camp?”
“Hell, no. Not at first.”
“Fuckers,” he snaps. “I explicitly told them not to hit your face or your stomach.” He wiggles his fingers at my face. “Your cheeks are bruised. Your lip is fat. I was wondering if you fought them. Therefore they were forced to be rough.”
Scowling, I say, “When I saw them terrorizing the camp, I ran. They caught me and beat me with batons. Only after they physically attacked me did I try and fight them. Trust me. They came out unscathed.”
“Hmmm. I’ll see to it that they’re punished.”
“Really? Because they attacked me?”
“Because they disobeyed my orders.”
“Oh.”
He scowls. “I told them not to touch your face. I can’t have you looking all bruised at the wedding. People will think I did that to you.”
I mutter, “I should’ve known it wasn’t concern for me.”
He studies me. “Well, naturally, I don’t want my omega to be beaten up. But you weren’t my omega at the time. Still, they had their orders, and they didn’t follow them. I can’t have that.”
“My hero.”
He sighs. “Don’t be a baby.”
“Right. I’m a baby because I don’t like being beaten up.”
He shrugs. “If you’d agreed to my terms to begin with, I wouldn’t have had to send those men to that camp to help you see things my way.”
I squint at him. “You seriously see nothing wrong with what you did, do you?”
“Of course not.” He laughs but then focuses on my face again. “Hopefully, the bruising will be gone by the time the ceremony happens. If not, perhaps Mother has some makeup that might help cover the marks on your face.” He frowns. “The swollen lip is harder to disguise.”
“Maybe you should just put a bag over my head.”
“Nah. I reserve that treatment for executions.” He doesn’t smile.
I shiver. “God.”
“Are you hungry?” He changes the subject suddenly and turns to walk down the hall.
“Yes.” I follow him, my shoes muffled on the thick red carpeting. “I’m starving.”
He glances over as I pull even with him. “Yes. Unfortunately, you actually do look like you’re starving.”
“That’s what not eating will do to you.”
“The baby is probably sucking what little nutrients you take in for itself.” He sniffs.
“Probably.” I touch my stomach.
“You truly don’t care about getting rid of that child?” His expression is curious.
“No,” I say harshly. Even if I wanted a kid, which I don’t at this time, I can’t give birth to the baby of an alpha who tried to murder me. “I can’t have this child.”
He smirks. “Don’t want to lose your girlish figure?”
My face warms. “It’s more complicated than that.” Valentino doesn’t know the story behind my pregnancy, so he actually thinks I’m just cold-hearted.
“I thought maybe you wanted to get rid of the baby because you had no money to take care of it.” His gaze is assessing. “That’s not it, though, is it?”
