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Dad hesitates. “You’re talking about the prize money.”
Of course he’d know about that. Dad never misses a chance to make money; it’s the only thing that he cares about as much as power.
Ludovica pats Vito’s head like he’s a dog. “There, there, precious baby brother. There’s no need to make up for your micro knot by boasting. There’s no way that you could win a contest like that.”
“If we win, will you leave Tom alone?” My heart speeds up.
“You can’t be sure that you can win, unless…” Dad takes a step back, studying Thomas with a dark admiration. “…You’re even more ruthless than I suspected. You’ve bribed the judges so that the business you’ve married into will win.”
I forget that Dad is good at what he does.
Thomas’ expression changes like he’s allowing a mask to slide away and reveal the truly dangerous man underneath.
And in many ways, that’s true.
“Would you expect anything less of a cold-hearted, dominant Alpha like me?” Thomas voice is low and deadly.
Dad’s lips curl into an equally deadly smile, which is as sharp as a blade. “You’re everything that they say you are.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Do we have a deal?” Vito asks, hopefully.
“Please.” I shrug out of Gia’s hold.
This time she lets me crawl the distance to Vito’s side.
Vito’s holding his far arm awkwardly. The shoulder must have been wrenched, and the wrist looks swollen too.
I glare at Bianca, and she blows me a kiss.
Vito reaches out and clasps my hand with his uninjured one. For a brief moment, we nuzzle each other’s necks, and he calms me with a burst of pheromones.
“Stop holding hands like prey,” Dad sneers at us.
Gia pushes herself to her feet, wiping the dust off her pants. “Quarter of a million would be a good day’s pay.”
When I hold my breath, Vito squeezes my hand reassuringly.
“This will be the second time that those two have bought you.” Dad brushes his fingers through Thomas’ hair in a way that makes me cringe. Thomas doesn’t move, but through the bond, I can feel how much he hates the touch. “Beautiful, smart, and corrupt. I see why my daughter wants you. But here’s the thing,” Dad leans closer to Thomas, who stiffens but is unable to pull back, “I want to kidnap you. You thought that you could take a Snake Omega without consequence. I don’t need to be given the quarter of a million dollars. I intend to bite you now and force you into a bond. Then you’ll be my Second Alpha. Everything that you own will be mine anyway. I’ll have a lifetime to show you what happens to bad wolf cubs when they fall into a pit of snakes.”
Thomas’ real emotion flashes across his face; he can’t hide it.
Horror.
Wild panic.
And the type of terror that comes from triggered trauma.
Is he remembering Richard or any of the other Alphas who have tried to force him into bonds?
Dad’s eyes glitter with violent desire, as his gaze drops to the long column of Thomas’ throat.
“He’s mine,” the words burst from me. I won’t hold them back. I refuse to be helpless any longer. “He’s my peacock. My fated mate. You won’t control my life any longer. I’m bonded to a Saint now, and you can fucking kill us, but you can’t change that. If you touch Tom again, then I will tear out your throat.”
Silence.
I’m breathing hard.
