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

15. Cord

15

CORD

The call from Rosco about Avery going to rescue a friend had taken me by surprise. Something didn't sit right with me. Not listening to my intuition had led me astray in the past, and I would not make the same mistake again.

Avery wasn't under house arrest. As long as he had guards with him, he could move freely for the most part. Obviously, I would not let him go clubbing or anything like that, but if he wanted to leave the house to go shopping or visit a friend, I would not stop him.

Avery stayed home most of the time. I sensed that my mate was the homebody type who would much rather cozy up by the fire rather than hit the latest club. Though, I knew that he missed his friends. When all of this was over, I hoped he could reconnect with them.

Then Passion called. Avery would not let a friend suffer if he could help.

Concern for my omega had me distracted enough that I cut my day short. I planned to send a team to back up Rosco, but I would just go myself. I had a guard with me who could help. "To the old train station, Davison. As fast as you can get there," I commanded once I was in the back seat of the car.

"You think there will be trouble, boss?" Knox asked. He was one of my trusted guards, and one of the best marksmen. Which I would need if this ordeal went south.

"I don't know. I'm not taking any chances."

"Rosco will keep Avery safe," he said.

"I know." Still, I was worried. While we drove, I took the time to inspect my weapon and make sure my clip was full. Knox did the same. Between the two of us, we had enough weapons and ammunition to come in guns blazing if the need arose.

I was probably overreacting, but I wasn't backing down now.

The only vehicle in sight when we arrived was the town car. A good choice for Rosco to have taken for this excursion. The air was still and quiet as we stepped out of the vehicle. Knox already had his gun drawn. His gaze scanned our surroundings, ever alert.

"They must be inside." My gut twisted because something didn't feel right.

The old train station had seen better days. It had been a while since I had been there. It was a great place for less-than-legal dealings. More than one person had met their death behind the walls.

"Stay sharp," I said.

Knox nodded, scanning the area while I pushed the door open.

There were voices inside, though I couldn't make out the words. I almost called out to alert them to our presence.

Then a gunshot rang out, and Avery's scream split the air.

“That was a warning. I’m making the demands here!” I didn't recognize the voice, nor did I care who it was. That person was between me and my omega, and I wouldn’t stand for it.

Adrenaline surged through me, but Knox held me back from running deeper into the building. I struggled against his hold even as he put a hand over my mouth, and his gaze bored into me.

Acting without a plan would get my omega killed.

I knew what he was trying to tell me.

Reluctantly, I stopped struggling and he let me go.

I drew my gun. The two of us stepped deeper into the building until we could see where the action was. My omega was there, safely tucked behind Rosco, who held a gun on another figure.

The man had Passion in front of him like a shield. The coward. From this angle, I had a clear shot from the side.

"Let me." Knox didn't wait for confirmation. He fired, and the man's skull exploded before his body dropped to the ground. Dead instantly.

Passion fell to the floor, cowering in on himself, and Avery rushed to his side, wrapping him in his embrace.

Rosco turned our way, his eyes wide with surprise. Once recognition hit, he shook his head. "Couldn't let me have all the fun, huh?"

Avery looked up from where he held Passion. "Cord! Thank fuck you're here."

My stomach rolled. It would not be great for my image if I threw up all over the place, but fuck, I was happy to see my mate unharmed. "I'm here." I went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. If I could whisk him away so the two of us could be alone and I could inspect every inch of his body for damage, I would.

Both he and Passion stood up, but Passion continued to shake in Avery's arms.

"What happened?" I asked.

Passion was clearly in shock. "He-he-he made me. I swear I didn't want to. I would never hurt Velvet."

"Shh. It's okay. We aren't blaming you." Avery petted Passion’s hair and kissed his head, providing comfort that the omega needed.

I turned my attention to the scene around us. "Who was this guy?" I didn't get a good look at his face before Knox shot him, and now his face was in a billion pieces.

Avery sighed, looking a bit shocked himself. "Bobby, one of the guards at the club. We don’t know who he was working for, just that he didn't want you and Andro working together."

"A pawn, trying to get ahead," Rosco said.

Avery's trembling hands clenched tighter around Passion.

A surge of protectiveness washed over me. "You okay, baby?" I let my fingers thread through his soft locks. I ached to hold him, shelter him against everything bad in the world.

"Yeah. Just...fuck. I wasn't expecting that."

I pulled him into my arms. "I know. We're safe now. Let's get you and Passion home, okay?"

He nodded.

I indicated for Knox and Rosco to take care of the mess we'd left in the train station. “Thank you. Both of you. I won’t forget your actions today in keeping Avery safe.”

“Of course, boss.” Knox gave my arm a squeeze as he passed by. “We got this.”

"Do you have any idea who might have sent Bobby?" I asked Passion. "Perhaps he said something to you? Let something slip."

Passion wiped the tears from his eyes and shook his head. "No. He just grabbed me when I arrived at work today and made me call Velvet. He was always a creep, but he was harmless. I don't know who he was working for.”

"He said he wanted to restore balance," Rosco said.

"Restore balance?" I grimaced.

"Does it mean something?" Avery asked.

"Some factions within the city don't like to see two of the big families getting along. They don't want an all-out war, but they don't want an alliance either. They profit from Andro and I being at odds. Us getting along impedes their business model. We’ll deal with the next steps once I get these two home.”

Knox and Rosco nodded. I ushered the two omegas outside and into the car.

"Take us home, Davison." I climbed in beside Avery and pulled him into my lap. Not the safest way to drive, but he wasn't leaving my side. I rested a hand over his rounded stomach. "Are you okay, love?"

He settled against me. "I am now."

"You’re welcome to stay in our home, Passion. As Avery's friend, you may stay as long as you need. We won’t be offended if you'd rather go someplace else, though. Just say the word."

He bit his lip. "I wouldn't mind crashing with you for a few days. I… I don’t want to go back to work right now."

I nodded. "I'll clear it with Georgie."

"Thank you."

Avery kissed my cheek. Clearly, I had made the right choice in inviting his friend.

We drove in silence for a while. My mind raced with the repercussions of what transpired. I'd need to let Andro know soon. That conversation could wait until my mate was safe at home. I focused on Avery. The warmth of him against me and the steady rise and fall of his breath.

"Thank you for coming." Avery burrowed even deeper into me.

"Of course. I'll always keep you safe."