Mafia's Broken Omega (Mated in the Mafia #6)

12. Avery

12

AVERY

Living in Cord's home was like being on an extended vacation. I mean, I worked—I still made my T-shirts and completed the orders that came in, which seemed to somehow be increasing yet again. I had even enlisted Jeremiah's help when he was around, since Felik visited often. It was nice to have other people to talk with when I wasn't working. I could enjoy the pool or the hot tub. There was plenty of space for me to enjoy my time outside, as long as I had guards with me, which I did.

That took some getting used to.

Then, of course, there were my nights spent in Cord's arms. It wasn't a new place for me, but I had missed it like a homesickness I'd never let myself fully acknowledge. The two of us had let feelings creep into a business arrangement long before fear over this pregnancy sent me running for the hills. The topic lingered around us like a bad smell neither of us fully acknowledged.

Still, it didn't seem quite real. What would happen once the baby came or once we found out who was making threats? Would I go back to my apartment? Would I get shipped off to a home paid for by Cord? Those were all things I really should talk to him about, but right now, I was just happy not to be alone.

I loved running my business, and I loved my designs and making my customers happy, but that was no substitute for actual friendships. Now that I had other people to talk with, it made me realize just how much I missed the other dancers that I had gotten close to. Maybe when this was all over, I could contact them again.

Another benefit to staying with Cord was that I didn't have to go anywhere to ship my orders. I simply packaged them and handed them off to whatever guard or one of Cord's people who worked that day, and they did the work. That left me with more time to make designs, nap, or swim in the pool. I was spoiled.

"So, what do you want to do tonight when the other omegas come over?" Jeremiah asked.

"I don't know," I said, nibbling on a cracker. Jeremiah had brought in a makeshift charcuterie board with fresh cheeses and crackers on it. It sat on the coffee table in front of us and I was working my way through taste-testing every bit of it. Everyone seemed intent on making sure I ate and drank enough water. I had never peed so much in my life.

"What do you guys usually do when you get together?"

"Gossip, complain about our alphas, trade sex stories."

I laughed. "So just regular omega things."

"Exactly. Connor mentioned he wanted to learn how to dance on a stripper pole. Maybe you can give him some pointers."

I snorted. "I haven't touched a pole in months. I've probably forgotten how. It's a great way to stay in shape, though."

"You should ask Cord to get one installed in your bedroom."

I shook my head. "Sure, that sounds great until our child is old enough to ask why we have a pole in our room." I wouldn’t be opposed to dancing for my alpha again, though. Not only was I good at it, but when it was for the right person, I genuinely enjoyed the work.

Jeremiah grimaced. "Good call. Put it in one of the spare rooms and lock the door."

We were quiet for a moment. Both of us picked up different pieces on the snack board and tried various combinations of meats and cheeses. I sure didn't miss the discount food I'd lived on these past few months.

"I'm really glad you're here," Jeremiah said. "It was sad seeing how lonely Cord was, and none of us knew how to help him. It really bothered Felik."

"I was scared," I admitted. "I didn't want…"

"Oh, no, I totally get it. Trust me, I didn’t want to tell my brother about my accidental pregnancy either. And Felik and I weren't on the best terms when I found out I was expecting. My other brother's omega was in a similar situation as you. Connor was gone for several months before Louie finally found him and dragged him home. All consensual, of course. They're very happy together. We're not holding him hostage."

I laughed. "I didn't think you were." Another benefit to being in the house all day was that I got the latest gossip and background stories from the staff. It seemed each of the Ferrini men had found their life partners in interesting ways.

"And don't worry about whoever is after you. We'll figure that out, or they will. I do a little bit of the business work, even though it drives Andro insane."

"You're involved in the business?" That surprised me. I’d assumed it was an alpha-only thing. The only people I’d met who worked for Cord were alphas. Admittedly, I knew very little about the mafia world.

"Joey is as well, although you wouldn't think it, since my brother can be an overbearing prick. But he loves his omega more than life, and it makes Joey happy to be involved. Plus he’s a whiz with numbers. Andro would be dumb not to utilize him. Joey does the books. Connor manages the omega harem that we have, making sure all the guards are staying in line. He’s Orsino's mate. He's a little more timid because he didn't grow up around the business, so he isn't involved much."

"So you're all allowed to work?"

"Of course. Did you think you wouldn't be?"

I shrugged. "I wasn't sure. I mean, my business is doing well, but it's nothing like this." I gestured toward the monstrosity that was this house.

"Nothing is as ostentatious as this. Don't forget, a lot of this is old money made illegally. You should be proud of your business."

"I am. I just wasn't sure if I was gonna keep doing it if I stayed here."

"If? Of course, you'll stay here. Hasn't Cord made that clear? If you want to stay, of course. We're not keeping hostages. Well…not omega hostages."

My cheeks heated. "We haven't really talked much about what will happen after all of this calms down."

Jeremiah rolled his eyes. "Alphas. They're so stupid sometimes. Talk about it, okay? Be clear about what you want. You want to stay, right?"

The words clogged my throat as the thought of having to be sent away ran through my mind. Back to being alone? Raising my child without Cord by my side? No, thank you.

I could do it.

I could do anything I put my mind to. But I didn't want that future. Not anymore. Not after spending the last few weeks with Cord at my side, rubbing my back when it throbbed and checking in to make sure I was drinking enough water. He even made time to take walks with me around the property to ensure I got enough exercise.

"I love Cord. I don't wanna leave."

Jeremiah grinned. "Then you won't. Everything will be fine. Well, as fine as they can be when you're involved with the head of a crime family."

"That's just it. I never imagined I would be where I am now. I was a stripper. I entertained these guys and got paid well for it. I was never meant to be at their side."

Jeremiah laughed. "Let me tell you, none of my brothers-in-law or the other omegas in my family first met their alpha under ideal circumstances. There are no rules to follow, no right or wrong way to do this. If you two want to be together then nothing and no one is going to stop you. And you have the Ferrinis’ approval."

"Andro—"

"Doesn’t actually get a say. If Joey supports it, then Andro supports it. And Joey already likes you, so it's a done deal."

"You omegas really have that much power?"

Jeremiah winked. "Do you doubt it?"

I chuckled. "No, of course not."

"Cord is crazy for you. He was cranky without you here and you staying will save countless lives. He got a little trigger happy when you were gone."

I raised a brow.

“Oh, nothing too terrible. He was just a dick. We were afraid he was gonna run himself into the ground at the rate he was going.”

“I thought he didn’t care. I never would have–”

Jeremiah put his hand over mine. “No one blames you. You did what you had to to protect your child. You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

“I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”