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Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

DANTE

I'm screaming inside. Every touch, kiss and caress flits through my brain like an agonizing slide show of betrayal. I put my heart and my life on the line for her and she stomped on it. I should have known better than to fall for a pretty face and a tragic backstory.

Silas fucking told us we needed to be careful, but what did we do? Jumped head first into saving her until our lives were dismantled and everything we worked so hard to build up came crashing down.

I don't regret killing our fathers. No, that part still brings me immense joy, but what I do regret is how we let our feelings for the little wench to cloud years worth of training and judgement we thought we perfected.

Movement behind her in the doorway catches my attention. A tall man steps in after her, with short brown hair and green eyes that see a little bit too much for my comfort.

My hackles rise. He's a fucking alpha. His scent hits me immediately and I can feel the moment the rest of the guys notice. But he's not a De Luca alpha. Who is he and why is he acting like a fucking bodyguard?

His eyes scan the room just as Bella's had, and he steps in closer to her back—their bodies almost touching. My spine stiffens and I can see out of the corner of my eye that every single one of my brothers do the same. Looking over, I can see that Silas's eyes are narrowed in on the man's hand that barely touches Bella's waist as he guides her in. My teeth grind as I suppress the need to rip his arm from his body.

The man's gaze flickers to mine and the sides of his mouth tilt into a barely there smirk. Rage lights me up at the knowing sneer. The man guides Bella further into the room before pulling out her chair and standing back at the wall, guarding her like she's some sort of… well, like she's a precious omega.

I feel sick at the thought of his hands on her even though I have no reason to. She's a backstabbing bitch that I shouldn't have any lingering feelings towards. I wish I could convince my head to cooperate with my heart.

Bella 's eyes are averted, almost as if she's afraid to look at any of us. Good. Let her feel the shame she deserves for leading us on like a bunch of whipped dogs. All those nights we spent in each others arms mean nothing now. Every whisper, kiss or promise is poison in my mouth and my skin feels too tight over my bones. I trace every angle of her familiar face with my burning gaze, wondering how I didn't see the signs.

"How was your training?" Alessio asks as she settles into her chair. Briefly, her eyes flit to mine, but bounce away quickly.

"Fine, Alpha," she clips. Her hands are resting in her lap in a practiced manner that's so unfamiliar to me.

Gone is the relaxed, pixie-like woman who used to prance around our safe house in her pajamas or nothing at all. Gone is the lighthearted twinkle in her molten eyes, and in its place is a cold chasm of empty promises.

Alessio clears his throat. "I trust you are in good hands with Nicolai?" He nods at the beefy guard that escorted her in and my blood fucking boils.

A million images of his nasty hands on her skin—pinning her lush curves to the floor, flood my mind. Glancing over, I can see Hector clenching his jaw while Silas takes a too large swig of wine.

"Just like old times," she says with a deep sigh. Her voice is steady, but more demure than I can ever recall hearing. She doesn't sound the same. She sounds defeated and I hate that it makes my gut twist. I shouldn't have any sympathy for the likes of her.

"You've been away for too long, and I'm afraid Nicolai might be taking things too easy on you." His voice is mocking. He's putting on a show and relishing in how uncomfortable we all are. Even Sam is squirming.

"Yes, Alpha," she repeats, but there's an edge to her words.

"You're probably wondering why I've invited these fine gentlemen to our table." Alessio pours himself some scotch. "You've done all I've asked of you and more, and I couldn't be happier. But now that certain… obstacles , are out of the way, our West Coast venture finds themselves in need of some new leadership."

Acid burns in my stomach. Of course we're in need of new leadership, we put bullets into the last ones. We remain silent until Alessio continues, knowing he has our full attention.

"Black Pharmaceuticals remains in a state of limbo, since the four of you decided to take an… extended vacation." His eyes narrow on Bella, making me frown in confusion. "But now that you're back, I'd like to extend an invitation to the Carbones once more—a partnership, if you will."

"Partnership?" asks Silas as he sits forward. "We saw the correspondence between you and your daughter. We know it was you who orchestrated the entire thing. Why should we partner with a man so willing to turn on his business partners?"

Alessio's right eyebrow rises, but his face remains neutral. I'd personally love to hear the answer to this particular question. Alessio runs a ring clad hand over his full beard before sitting back in his chair with the air of a king.

"You may think me a callous man," Alessio says, swirling his drink around in his glass idly. "But sometimes decisions must be made—hard decisions that go against a man's moral code for the sake of business. I once considered your fathers good friends of mine." His mouth turns flat, imitating what normal humans might call a frown. "But they lost their way a long time ago. They grew cocky, and made the fatal decision to go behind my back and make deals with my competitors, thinking I wouldn't notice. They wanted to push the De Lucas out. They should have known better. Your fathers lost my trust, and in turn—their lives. Don't make the same mistakes they did."

"Why did you really summon us here, Alessio?" I ask, speaking up for the first time since sitting at this table. All eyes snap to me, and I try to ignore Bella's burning gaze. "You say you want to extend an invitation, but what does that entail? Are you expecting us to forget the coup, and the fact that you sent your little omega assassin into our pack to fuck with our heads?"

Alessio claps his hands together, accompanied by a deep chuckle that makes my skin prickle. The other alphas grin, and Alpha Liam even winks at Bella, who scowls at Alessio.

"You're incredibly direct, Dante Carbone. I like it." He looks to Bella with a wide smile. "He's just as you described, mia bella ."

Her gaze turns into a glare as she looks at her father, seething with anger. I observe her closely, trying to understand her intentions. She clearly harbors deep dislike for the man, so why is she so loyal to him?

His attention returns to us. "I need you to work for me, boys." My teeth grit. Boys. We haven't been boys since we were thirteen years old. We hadn't been afforded that luxury. "What happened with your predecessors was unfortunate, yes, but I think it may be possible to come to some kind of agreement." He glances not so subtly towards Bella. I frown, not quite understanding what he's getting at. "Our packs have been closely linked for many years, and I do wish to continue working together in peace."

"Alpha—" Bella practically hisses, but he silences her with a sharp look.

"Forgive me, Alpha De Luca," Hector begins respectfully, though I can hear the hiss in his voice. "You aren't offering what I think you're offering?—"

There's a moment of heavy silence.

Alessio's boisterous laugh echoes throughout the room, causing me to scowl openly. I must maintain my composure around men like him; any sign of fear or vulnerability can be a dangerous invitation for them. Alessio would see it as weakness and doubt our ability to complete his request...whatever that may be.

"I'm afraid our daughter is no longer on the menu." He wipes the corner of his eyes. "If I remember correctly, we tried to go that route, but alas our plans fell through at the last moment."

"Don't pretend to be upset about it," I grit out and all eyes flicker to me.

Bella 's eyes widen before she frowns with a barely perceptible shake of her head—as if telling me silently to shut my mouth. I ignore her, unwilling to let her manipulate me any further.

"You orchestrated that entire night for your benefit. You put the pawns in place and made it so that their blood wasn't on your hands. You had your precious daughter play with our emotions, knowing we would kill for her."

Alessio watches me now—expressionless, but studying. "Aren't you a brave one. Tell me, Dante Carbone." Squaring my shoulders, I sit a little higher in my seat. "Do you make decisions for yourself, or are you content that a woman might have the power to sway your mind? My daughter is many things, but she is still simply a woman. You were trained to never be that stupid, or to let your guard down for omega pussy. What happened to your fathers was inevitable, but your inability to see past your own lust was the real reason for their downfall."

There's nothing hiding in his words, no sharp turn of phrase. The sad part of it is—he's right. I let my feelings for Bella blind me to what was really going on and how corrupt the pack had really become. It doesn't surprise me that our fathers might have somehow turned their backs on Alessio for their own gain.

How could I have thought it was normal for a young omega to move halfway across the states by herself with only one bodyguard and no escorts? Why did I believe it was no big deal for her to live in that huge house all alone? The signs were there, but I didn't want to see them.

"I am hoping to make this a seamless transition," Alessio says. "Bad blood aside, the Carbone's many assets are still in need of leadership—men I trust to do as I say. Bella has kept me well informed that you and your brothers are quite capable, luckily untainted by the ways of your predecessors."

Bile coats my throat with each word. It's not that I disagree with him necessarily, it's the fact that it's him saying it, and the fact that the insider information came from someone who I thought I could trust. There's no sincerity in his voice.

"Black Pharmaceuticals has been in under my authority for next to fifteen years. I intend to keep it that way, but I need your pack's legacy at the helm if we are to continue to do great things."

The reality hits us hard. This isn't about our personal relationship; it's about the legacy left behind by our fathers. If we were to suddenly disappear, it would reflect poorly on Alessio and his decision to appoint a new CEO shortly after. It would raise suspicion, as it should. But with us in charge of his drug empire, it would be the logical next move in such a situation. We are the rightful successors and co-owners of Black Pharmaceuticals

"And if we agree to your terms, what then?" Silas asks. "Things return to normal and we pretend like none of this shit ever happened?"

Alessio chuckles. "What is normal, really? Have you seen a normal day in your life? You'll take over for you're fathers and report to myself or the other alphas of Pack De Luca. What you do with your free time is none of my concern, unless you make it so."

Alessio's face morphs into a smile that feels oily all over. "I am inviting you to stay in my home until the contracts are drawn up and details are ironed out. It just so happens we have a wedding to attend in two days time and it seems you were not around to receive the invitation. I shall introduce you to your future colleagues, and familiarize you with the business, since something is telling me the late, great Carbones failed to prepare their own heirs properly. It's a shame, really. Nearly thirty years and what do you have to show for it?"

Alessio stands from his chair, sliding it behind him as he straightens his tie. "I'll make leaders out of you in no time. Until then, please enjoy my home as if it were your own. I'm afraid we're running late for a meeting, but please, do enjoy your dinner, gentlemen."

All three Carbone alphas stand as one. It's clear that this entire conversation was well rehearsed beforehand, and they expect us to fall in line without questions.

Alessio drifts over towards Bella, bending down to kiss her on the forehead. I can feel my knuckles popping as I ball my fingers into tight fists. My eyes hone in on Bella's tight face. Her barely-there cringe has me puzzled. It's as if her body is trying to naturally shy away from her father's touch, but she's not letting herself show it.

It bothers me more than it should.

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