Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Alessio

The feel of Dario's muscular chest against my back, and his thighs pressed beneath mine, has me irritable and turned on. Having his arms around me and his large hands on my stomach makes me feel needy. Weak. I fucking hate it. I don't understand it. I don't actually give a fuck about Dario. Why would I? Because we had sex? Please, that means nothing in the long term.

Despite my discomfort with this unsettling attraction, I must admit something is going on with us. My attraction to him is most certainly not a conscious choice. It has to be pure instinct drawing me to him. I've never been an omega who was in touch with that part of myself, so craving an alpha feels unnatural. Despite that though, I accepted Dario's knot and his bite last night.

I must have been out of my mind.

I wince remembering how weak and pathetic I was. He must think I'm a real pushover. Twice now I've let him fuck me. I don't even like him, but I keep letting him inside my body. It makes no sense. Last night felt like a madness descended on me. If I'd been in my right mind, I'd never have allowed his knot or bite. I don't understand how I went into heat, despite the suppression pills I usually take.

Regardless of what happened last night, I need to get my shit together. Even if I did want a baby and an alpha, which I most definitely don't, I'd never choose Dario. He's a brute. A thug. He's not the kind of alpha I'd procreate with if I was in my right mind. If I am indeed pregnant, I'll waste no time in terminating the pregnancy.

The bike sputters, and fear slams through me. Is the engine dying on us? Has something else gone wrong? I feel Dario tense too, and his arms tighten around me almost protectively. But then the bike keeps going, and I let out a sigh of relief. I expect Dario to loosen his hold, but he doesn't. He rests his chin on the nape of my neck, and his warm breaths puff against my skin.

It goes through my head to shake Dario off of me, or to head butt him. But I don't give into those peevish feelings. I tell myself I don't do those things because I might cause the bike to tip, but really I don't think that's why I hesitate. All I know is the idea of breaking his nose, or hurting him doesn't appeal at the moment. I still plan on killing Valentino, which most likely means I'll have to kill Dario too. But for now, we have our truce in place.

After another ten minutes on the dirt road, we reach where the road we're on intersects the main highway. A few miles down is where the gas station is located. I gun the engine because it's running really rough. I yell over my shoulder, "Should I just go for it?"

"Yeah. We need to get to that phone ASAP," he shouts back.

Anxiety eats at me as we leave the safety of the side road and pull out onto the main road. I travel down the road until I see the gas station on the right hand side. I feel like I have a bullseye on my back as we slowly pull into the gas station.

"Pull around the side," Dario yells.

I do as he says, noticing a skinny alpha wearing a ball cap. The guy is sitting on the curb in front of the phone booth, smoking a cigarette. The guy clocks us as we zip past him to the side of the building.

"I think that guy is with Carlo and he spotted us," I say.

"I know." Dario slides off the bike before I even have it stopped.

I park the bike and get off of it as quickly as possible. Dario has already slipped around the back of the building and disappeared from my sight. I'm worried the alpha smoking the cigarette will have already contacted his people to say he's spotted us. I follow the path Dario took and when I peer around the side of the building, I see the alpha slumped against the wall beside the booth, his cap pulled down over his face.

I'm glad Dario handled the guy, but pissed when I see Dario slip into the phone booth. We never discussed who'd go first to make a call. I guess Dario made a command decision. Is that why he got off the bike so fast? So he could make his call first and bring Valentino down on me?

I scowl at Dario through the glass of the phone booth, but he turns his back on me. I try to push the door open, but he blocks it with his foot. He picks up the receiver and then promptly hangs up again.

He opens the door, looking irritable. "I need change," he says gruffly.

"Don't look at me."

He scowls. "You took my wallet when you kidnapped me. Loan me some money, Alessio."

"No." I laugh humorlessly. "Not unless you let me make my call first."

He narrows his eyes. "How about I just take the money from you? I'm being nice by asking."

"Just try it," I mutter.

He smirks. "You don't think I could take you easily?"

"I think you could die trying."

Through gritted teeth, he says, "You're the most mouthy, pig headed omega I've ever met. I could snap you in two without breaking a sweat, kid."

I know he's right, but I don't think he'll actually attack me in public. So I shrug. "Threaten me all you want, but I'm the one with the money."

"Alessio," he rumbles, "I need that change."

I sigh impatiently. "What do I look like, a fucking vending machine? I don't have any change on me. All I have are credit cards."

He glances back at the phone. "That works. This phone takes cards." He holds out his hand like he's entitled to my cooperation. "Loan me your credit card."

"Like I said, I'll do that if you let me make my call first."

He mutters under his breath, "Jesus, you're a pain in the ass,"

"And you're Prince Charming? Not likely." I hold his obstinate gaze. "We don't have all day. Will you let me go first, or not?"

He grits his teeth. "I don't trust you."

"Pfft. Is that supposed to be news to me? I don't trust you either." I tug my wallet out and wave it in front of his nose. "Make up your mind, dumbass. Time is ticking."

He leans on the phone booth door, scowling. "My call is more important."

"Right. Of course it is." I shake my head. "Your needs are always more important, aren't they, Dario?"

He shrugs. "Why do you even need to make a call? Why don't you take off on the bike? I'll stay here and wait for my guys to come pick me up. That's win-win for both of us."

I squint at him. "Seriously? How stupid do you think I am? Leaving here on that dilapidated bike isn't a win. I could break down a half mile down the road. Or for all I know you could call Valentino and have him ambush me at the bottom of the mountain."

He exhales impatiently, glancing around warily. "Arguing like this is going to get us both killed."

"So give in."

"No, I'd prefer you gave in."

I exhale impatiently. "I'm not a threat to you, Dario. You're a much bigger threat to me because you're going to tell Valentino everything I have planned. All I want to do is get home. I won't come for Valentino until I have a new plan in place. For now, he's safe from me."

"So you say."

I open my mouth to say something and he curses under his breath as his eyes flick to something behind me. He grabs my shoulders and shoves me around the side of the phone booth. Then he joins me, peeking around the big booth.

"I just saw Carlo and one of his men pull into the station. Fuck." He scowls. "We have to get back to the bike make a run for it down the hill. We don't have time to make a call."

"But the phone is right fucking there."

"Yeah, and so is Carlo." He grabs my arm. "Let's go around the back of the station. The minute they see their guy is unconscious they'll know we're here."

I let him drag me with him, but I'm not happy about it. I was mere seconds from making my phone call. I don't want to get back on that damn bike and flee down the mountain, but I also know I have no choice. If Carlo and his men are here, we need to either hide or run. Standing in the phone booth isn't a great option.

We reach the back of the building and Dario lets me walk ahead of him slightly. I don't think anything of it until he grabs me and puts me in a choke hold. Gasping, I claw at his muscular arm as it squeezes on my windpipe. Sputtering, I'm unable to make any actual sounds.

He puts his mouth to my ear and says softly, "I'm really sorry about this, kid. But I need to make my call first. I can't risk you doing something that might get Valentino injured."

Kicking my legs, I scratch as his arm, as spots appear on the side of my vision. I try to gouge his eyes out, but he's too quick. Head butting is impossible with the vise like grip he has on my throat.

Why did I trust him?

His breath is warm against my neck as he runs his hand over my backside. He takes his sweet time before tugging my wallet from my pocket. "Don't worry. I'll just make my call and give you your wallet back. Odd are you'll be fine back here behind the building. When you wake up, you can make your call. Toodle-oo, Alessio."

I want to rip his face off. I want to punch him and bite him and make him pay for deceiving me like this. He's just gonna leave me here unconscious? Vulnerable? My hatred for Dario spikes exponentially as I begin to black out. There's nothing but the sound of blood rushing through my ears, and the tension of his arm against my throat as my eyes roll up in my head.

As darkness descends, I feel him press his lips to the bite mark, and then I sink into sweet oblivion.

****

I wake up swinging. Or, I try. My arms are tied behind my back and I'm lying on a big bed. I stop struggling, seeing as it's futile, and take in my surroundings. The room I'm in is dark and cool. It smells of Dario's cologne, and I'm completely confused about where the hell I am.

The last thing I remember is that asshole Dario choking me out. He said he'd leave me there with my wallet, but here I am hogtied in what appears to be his bedroom? My pulse picks up speed as I realize there's someone in the room with me. It's not Dario. I'd sense him if it were.

"Why am I here?" I demand, eyeing the dark silhouette sitting across the room.

They don't respond immediately, then they stand and approach. It's an omega around my age, with blond hair and a small baby bump. I don't recognize him, and he doesn't look particularly threatening.

He stops next to the bed, and he studies me. "Dario has really stepped in it this time," he murmurs.

I narrow my eyes. "Why am I here," I repeat.

He purses his lips. "Because my beloved husband wants to murder you. But for whatever reason, Dario doesn't want him to do it. I suggested we keep you alive for a bit while we figure shit out. Luckily, Valentino listens to me sometimes."

A chill goes through me at how flippantly he talks about my death. But then again, if he's Valentino's husband, he's probably surrounded by death. "Dario wants me alive?" It's almost comical that he's the thing that would stand between me and Valentino murdering me.

"Yes." He peers at me closely and I get the feeling he's confused by why Dario would care if I live or die. "You have a bite mark on your throat. Is it Dario's? Is that why he's being possessive of you?"

My face warms. "I have no idea why Dario does anything."

He laughs. "He is a bit difficult to read. If it is his bite, it's not really my business. But it's very surprising. Dario isn't exactly the… settling down type."

"Neither am I."

"Ahh, so it's a match made in heaven," he murmurs, smirking.

"How about you let me go and I'll be out of your hair?" I know he's not going to do it, but I have to try. "Show some omega solidarity."

He laughs. "I've never really gone in for that stuff. I like and respect people based on who they are, not what they are. Some of the biggest assholes I've known have been omegas."

I shift and wince because my arms are falling asleep tied behind my back. "You could at least untie me, right?"

"I don't think so."

I manage to sit up and he takes a step back. I lower my legs to the ground, and laugh when he inches toward the door. "Don't worry. I'm not going to attack. My arms are just falling asleep and I needed to change position."

He cups his slightly rounded belly distractedly. "I'll ask Valentino if it's okay to untie your arms. You should eat something anyway and you can't do that with your hands tied."

I narrow my eyes. "Why would you feed me if I might be dead soon?"

He lifts one shoulder. "Politeness?"

The door opens and a tall, dark haired alpha enters the room. I know instantly it's Valentino. He has an air of authority that's undeniable. He's young for a syndicate boss, but he's proven himself more than capable of running his family.

I, naturally, hate his guts on sight because of what he did to my father. I bristle, wishing my hands weren't tied so I could try and strangle the asshole. Just the sight of him infuriates me. He laughs at my murderous expression, which does nothing to calm my anger.

He slips his arm around Nico's waist as he watches me with a smug expression. "What do you think of him?" Valentino asks.

Nico glances at me. "I'm not sure yet."

"Dario is still being a pill." Valentino sniffs. "Frankly, I'm getting sick of it."

Nico pats his back. "Just be patient a bit longer. He's never given anyone his bite. I'm sure he's very confused right now."

Valentino glances at Nico, and his expression gentles. "I'll wait a tiny bit longer, just for you."

I watch them, feeling a bit disconcerted. Seeing how sweet Valentino is with Nico is like watching an allegator doting on a sweet little bunny rabbit. Is Valentino actually capable of love? I wouldn't think that's true. Not from the stories I've heard about him.

But Nico seems to take his husband's tenderness for granted. He's all smiles as he moves to the door. "Should I tell Dario that Alessio is awake?"

"Not yet." Valentino's sweet expression chills as he turns it on me. "I want to have a little chat with our guest first."

"Behave, Valentino," Nico warns.

Looking innocent, Valentino coos, "Of course, love."

Nico laughs and leaves the room, which makes me uneasy. Valentino is behaved with Nico here, but there's no guarantee that will hold now that Nico is gone. The room falls silent, now that it's just me and the alpha I long to murder.

Valentino studies me and then moves closer. His stride slow and graceful, and I feel a bit like a gazelle being stalked by a hungry lion. I don't know what he thought of my father, but he doesn't care for me. There's dislike shimmering in his eyes as he stops a few feet away.

"You're even stupider than your father," he mutters, curling his lip.

Anger surges in me at the insult toward my father. I stand and growl, "Fuck you, Valentino."

"That's the best you've got?" He lifts his dark brows. "Dario sure can pick ‘em."

I'm shaking with anger, and frustrated that I can't do any damage to him. The alpha I despise most in the world is right in front of me, but with my arms tied behind my back, I'm unable to attack. Not that I think even with my arms free Valentino would be easy to take down. I never intended to fight Valentino in hand to hand combat. My plan was always to ambush him. Why would I play fair with Valentino, when he didn't play fair with my father? "You'll get yours eventually, Valentino."

He sighs, looking at me like I'm a troublesome child. "Do you really not understand how compassionate I was toward your father? Or are you just a brat throwing a tantrum?"

"Because of you my father died."

His cheek twitches. "You've got your facts all mixed up. Why am I not surprised?"

"You humiliated him," I growl.

"I spared him," Valentino snaps. "I have to say, I'm regretting my decision to be lenient. If I'd murdered him and all of his family, then I wouldn't have to deal with you right now. I have much more important things going on, kid."

"I'll bet. So many people to betray and humiliate. I'm sure your schedule is full."

"The one who betrayed someone was your father. He was supposed to be on my side of things. Instead, he threw a fit and grabbed Nico. That almost got Nico killed. Do you expect I'd just stand by and let him disrespect me and mine like that?"

I'm not the idiot he thinks I am. I get that he had to retaliate. But he didn't have to retaliate so hard, in my opinion. But we're never going to see eye to eye on this subject. My father is gone and I want blood. Valentino's blood, to be precise.

"You think you're right and I know I'm right. You really should kill me," I rumble. "Because I won't stop coming for you."

His mouth thins. "I wish you'd be less annoying. I don't want Dario upset, but he might be if I slit you open. Which I'm tempted to do."

"Then do it," I hiss, taking a step toward him. "I'm sick to death of hearing all the excuses of why it was okay for you to drive my father to his grave. Just come at me and lets get this over with."

Valentino's eyes light with a sort of murderous excitement. "You shouldn't tempt me," he says through clenched teeth.

When the door opens, and Dario walks in, he takes one look at Valentino and he moves swiftly toward us. "What's going on here, you two?" Dario slips between me and Valentino, his smile strained. "Is everyone getting along?"

"Not really," Valentino says in a gravelly voice. "I was thinking I might gut this little shit." His muscles are bunched and he looks like he'd like to shove Dario aside and lunge at me.

"Just you try," I mutter.

Dario gives me an impatient look, but then says to Valentino, "I'd really prefer you didn't kill him, sir."

"And I'd prefer you went back out of the room so I can deal with this ungrateful punk the way he deserves." Valentino's eyes glitter maliciously.

"Come on, Boss, just wait a bit longer." Dario sighs. "I… I know he's fucking annoying. I get why you want to murder him. I myself have that urge at least once a day. But, if you'd just hold off a tiny bit longer, I'd be grateful."

Valentino hesitates, resentment burning in his eyes. But then he gives a harsh laugh and takes a step back. "You're timing was good, Dario. One minute later and the little shit's entrails would have been on the floor."

A chill zips down my spine when I notice the gleam of a small knife in Valentino's hand. I hadn't even seen him pull it out of his pocket. If I didn't hate him so much, I might actually respect Valentino's skill. There's no question in my mind Dario just saved my life.

But I'm not one to back down easily, so I grate out, "Figures you'd attack me with my arms tied behind my back. You're so fucking honorable, Valentino. Here's an idea. How about you untie my arms and give me a knife too? Then we can see whose entrails end up on the floor."

Valentino gives another humorless laugh as he tucks his knife away. "For Dario's sake, I'll allow you to live a few more hours." He turns to leave, but he hesitates as he passes Dario. His voice is cold as he says, "Get your emotions under control, Dario. He needs to die."

Dario stiffens but says nothing.

Valentino leaves us there and slips out of the room.

Dario exhales harshly as he turns to face me. His cheeks are flushed and his dark eyes glitter with confusion. I'm pretty sure even he doesn't understand why he's protecting me at this point. "Do you actually want to die?" he snaps. "Antagonizing Valentino is a good way to do that."

"He's an arrogant asshole."

"And you're dumb as a brick sometimes." Without warning, he pushes me backward, and I fall on the bed.

"Hey," I yelp, glaring up at him.

"Roll over," he growls.

I widen my eyes, my heart picking up speed. "Why?" He want me on my stomach? Surely he isn't going to fuck me at a moment like this? I'm embarrassed when my dick warms at the thought he craves me that much. I hold his gaze feeling rattled and unsure of what to do.

He obviously reads what I'm thinking on my face because he scowls. "Not for that, you idiot. I'm going to untie your wrists."

"Oh." My face is hot as I roll over onto my stomach. I pray he didn't notice I'm slightly turned on at the idea he wanted to fuck me. I guess he's not the only one suffering from unpleasant and unwanted instincts.

He mutters under his breath as he unties the rope around my wrists.

Once he's got the ropes off of me, I sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing my tender skin. "Where am I?"

"Valentino's home."

"How did I end up here? You said you'd leave me at the gas station."

Crossing his arms, he studies me. "That was my original plan. Unfortunately, Valentino wanted you murdered on the spot. I talked him into waiting until we got you here." He sighs. "Then, with the help of Nico, I talked him into not murdering you right away once you were here."

"You should leave me untied. Then when Valentino returns, I'll have a sporting chance."

He snorts a laugh. "You're no match for Valentino either way. Hell, you're no match for me. You might be able to take Nico, since he's pregnant and all. But maybe not. The kids pretty tough."

I grit my teeth. "You always like to underestimate me."

"All I'm trying to do is save your life." His gaze shifts to the bite on my throat. "For obvious reasons."

I touch the bite mark on my throat. "So if I didn't have this bite, you'd have let Valentino kill me up on the mountain?"

"Probably." He narrows his eyes. "You're way more trouble than I bargained for. Besides, wasn't it you who warned me not to become attached?"

I shrug. "Yes. I meant it then and I mean it now."

"Well, fear not. All that is going on here is pure instinct. If Valentino kills you, I'll be in pain. Not because I care about you but because of the bite. But I can only do so much to keep you safe. You didn't do yourself any favors just now. Provoking Valentino will only work against you, Alessio."

"I hate his guts."

"Still," he murmurs. "You need to play nice. For example, if you were to apologize, he might allow you to live."

I widen my eyes. "Apologize? He's the one who should be apologizing to me."

"Yeah, that's never going to happen." He rubs the back of his neck and surprises me by sitting on the edge of the bed.

I narrow my eyes. "Shouldn't you keep your distance? I'm your prisoner. What if I attack you?"

He glances at me and then he laughs. "I'd swat you away like a gnat?"

I scowl. "Oh, really?"

"Pfft, yeah."

I lunge at him, and mange to catch him off guard. Unfortunately, it doesn't help much. He just overpowers me quickly and next thing I know, I'm lying on my back with him straddling me. I kick and struggle, but he's too fucking heavy and skilled at keeping me down. "Get off me," I hiss.

"You started this, brat," he says breathlessly. "Now stop fighting me. I don't want to hurt you."

"Since when?" I snarl, still wrestling with him.

He lays his body on mine, and his mouth is only inches from my lips. "Stop it," he growls. "Calm down, Alessio."

I ignore him, but I soon run out of steam. He's too strong and I can't begin to get him off of me. Breathing hard, I'm aware all that wiggling against each other has us both aroused. That wasn't my intention, but I'm as turned on as he is.

His eyes shimmer with arousal, and I expect he'll try and kiss me. I'm surprised when he suddenly lets go of me and gets off the bed. I'm disappointed too, which is a little embarrassing. But to hide that I say, "That's right. Keep your fucking hands off me."

His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Think about what I said. I don't care if you have to fake it, you need to apologize to Valentino. Maybe then I can keep you alive."

"I'm never going to apologize to him. Not ever."

Frustration paints his face, but he just shrugs. "Then God help you." He heads to the door and he leaves.

I lie on the bed, trying to think of how to get out of the mess I'm in. When I suddenly realize he forgot to tie my arms again, I sit up feeling excited. I wait for him to return, realizing his mistake. But he doesn't. Heart racing, I get off the bed and hurry toward the door. It's locked from the outside. I haven't seen many bedrooms that lock from the outside. My guess is they switched the door knob around when they realized they were going to hold me prisoner. That's okay. I'm sure there's something in this room I can use to pick the lock.

It goes through my head that maybe Dario left my arms free on purpose. He instinctively wants to keep me alive. But he'd never do anything to put Valentino in danger, and he knows full well I want Valentino dead. It's far more likely he was just flustered and forgot to tie me up again.

Whatever the reason, he did indeed forget to tie my arms. That's an unbelievable stroke of luck for me. With a snide laugh, I begin to search the room for something that will help me escape.