Page 148 of The Don’s Omega

Carlo glances over at me. “Salvatore would have to be insane to think he could hurt Elio and get away with it.”

“I agree, but something is going on with him. When he came by my home, he was trying to come between Elio and me. Why would he want to do that? How would that benefit him?”

“Maybe he has a crush on Elio?”

I grimace in distaste. “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Probably not. Nothing ever is.” Carlo pulls on gloves. “So, are we going to knock politely, or go in like a wrecking ball?”

“I don’t see any point in giving Salvatore a heads-up. I say we go in hard and fast and hopefully catch him off guard.” I check the magazine on my Beretta and chamber a round.

Carlo does the same with his, quick and practiced. “Sounds like a plan.”

We walk to the front door, advancing swiftly. When we reach the door, we don’t hesitate. Carlo kicks it hard twice, and the door slams open. Within seconds a burly guy appears, blocking our path into the house. I point my gun at his head, registering that the guy has scratches along his forearms and face.

“Step back,” I snarl.

He grits his teeth but he obeys. Carlo moves forward and has the guy’s weapon out of his holster before he can blink. Carlo shoves him against the wall and holds him there with one hand flat on his chest and the gun under his chin.

“Hi,” Carlo says. “Where’s Elio?”

“Who?” The guy plays dumb.

Salvatore appears at the end of the hallway. Eyes wide, he appears startled to see me. That’s surprising. I’m ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure he’s holding Elio here against his will. Salvatore’s a fool if he didn’t see this coming.

“Marcello.” Salvatore’s brittle smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I… I thought you were on a trip.”

“That’s a weird thing to say to someone who just kicked in your door.” I narrow my eyes. “Where’s Elio?”

“Elio? How would I know?” His face twitches. “I… I haven’t seen him in days.”

Anger roils in my gut and I walk toward him. He doesn’t retreat, which I’ll give him credit for. I stop close enough to see there’s sweat on his upper lip, and his eyes flicker nervously.

“Don’t lie to me, old man. I know an Uber dropped him off here this afternoon.” I hold his gaze menacingly. “Did you seriously think I wouldn’t have eyes on Elio?”

Something shifts behind his eyes. He has to know there’s no version of this where the lie holds. Even so, he lifts his chin defiantly. “What right do you have to burst into my home and start accusing me of things? You’re out of control, Marcello. First you go after the Lucchese syndicate and now you’re coming after me? How dare you.”

“Are you for real?” Carlo laughs. “We know Elio is here.”

“He’s not here,” Salvatore snaps, holding my gaze. “I told you to keep better control of your omega, Marcello. Now you’re running around acting like a fool because you don’t know where he is? He probably ran off with that alpha who texted him. How is any of this my problem?”

I curl my lip. “You think I believed your lies? I know a snake when I see one. I’ve always known you couldn’t be trusted.”

“I couldn’t be trusted?” Salvatore hisses. “I’ve never been anything but loyal to the Foschini syndicate. For god’s sake my only son died because of you and your family.”

“Bullshit,” Carlo rasps. “Cristiano died because of some asshole in jail. That wasn’t the Foschini’s fault.”

“Of course it was,” Salvatore retorts. “They destroy everything they touch.”

My anger boils over and I grab Salvatore by the throat. He gurgles as he struggles, his face turning red. He claws at my hand but I just tighten my grip and his eyes bug. His security thug starts to move forward, but Carlo pushes his gun into his face so he stops.

I lean close enough to see the pupils of Salvatore’s eyes. “I’m going to ask you one last time, Salvatore, and you need to think very carefully before you lie to me again,” I growl. “Where the fuck is my husband?”

Wheezing, Salvatore manages to say, “Upstairs.”

I release the pressure on his throat. “If you’ve hurt him, you’re dead.”

Coughing, Salvatore glares at me with hatred. “He’s fine, but I should have killed him.”