Chapter 14 #2
Getting into the car, I watch as the scenery passes us by as Dario drives us through the streets of the city I grew up in.
There are children playing in parks, tourists discovering everything I love about Savannah, and trees heavily leaning toward each other as if they want to touch.
My lips twitch wistfully as we arrive at Pack Mayor’s home.
I’ve attended events occasionally with the packs we’re meeting, and Vero actually knows Cassidy Tremaine from various parties her grandmother has had her attend over the years. These packs are pillars of Savannah society, easily fooling everyone to believe their businesses are all legitimate.
Papa, on the other hand, typically doesn’t care what others think and has the police in his back pocket. There’s no way he’d be able to stay out of jail for as long as he has otherwise.
Vero squeezes my hand gently to make sure I’m no longer spacing out, and I nod as I open the door and step outside.
Ciro gets out of the front passenger side door, and I frown as I see a black strip peek out above his black button up shirt.
It almost appears to be some kind of collar, and I wonder if it has something to do with his relationship with Pablo.
It’s none of my business, so I move around him to join my dear husband on the sidewalk.
“You look beautiful,” he mumbles, threading my hand through his arm to properly escort me.
Today hinges on being able to sell that we are a proper pack looking to continue our life in peace and freedom, so I’m not surprised he’s trying to smooth things over.
“Honestly, Rosa. When I look at you, all the blood runs south to my cock. I should have led with that.”
“I… Thanks.” I’m at a loss for words with him. One moment he’s hot and the other cold. I know I sometimes enjoy his company when he’s not banging on his chest and asserting that my ovaries belong to him, but the last week hasn’t been a good one for us.
As a pack, we walk up to the front door and I ring the bell, prepared to wait.
A man with dark salt and pepper hair opens the door, reminding me of a wily silver fox as he smiles at us. It’s an assessing smile, and I remember that Lyle Mayor is a lawyer for the elite in Savannah. It’s said he can get almost anyone out of the charges placed against them.
It’s a pretty rampant rumor, so I’ll take their word for it.
“Hello, Alpha,” I say politely. “I just wanted to start by saying thank you for seeing us, even if you find you’re unable to help us.”
“You’re a damn sight more sane than your father,” he teases. “Welcome to my home, Mrs. Domino. Let’s see what we can do for you.”
Inclining my head in agreement, I step inside as he opens the door wide to accept us into the foyer.
“It’s a beautiful day. Are you against sitting outside?” he asks.
“Not at all,” I reply, knowing that most people have fans running in their backyard in the summer here.
It would be considered rude to allow your guests to melt.
The house is beautifully well appointed, and I smile as I see the exquisite wallpaper and window drapings. I’m almost sad to step out the back door not only because of the humidity, but also since this home obviously has a lot of care and attention placed in it.
There are photos and paintings hung up inside, and I wish I could explore some more. Papa’s home is cold and sterile with all its dark decor.
Forcing myself to smile, I’m frustrated that I can’t push the warmth into my eyes.
Lyle introduces everyone to us, and I commit everyone’s name and face to memory. I can’t allow my mind to wander today. Sitting in between a man named Grant Nisim and a sharp eyed alpha named Cooper Thornefield, I cross my legs and prepare to explain why I’m here.
“I would promise we don’t bite, but in that outfit, I think you might,” Cassidy teases me.
“I’m not even wearing a weapon today,” I say, shrugging off my jacket. Though there are fans all around us, the humidity is high. Not even rain can save us today. At least we’re under a nice pavilion in the garden. “The clothes are my warning label that being tiny doesn’t mean I’m a pushover.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Abbott, her alpha, muses.
“I doubt any of it is positive,” I sigh.
“I’m sure we all have our sob stories about our families, especially when we run in the circles that we do.
My father has always made it very clear I am to follow his orders, help clean up his messes when necessary, and support the narrative he tells.
Last week, my wedding present from him was almost death.
“He didn’t know I’m bonded to Verona, and he stabbed her to remind me I will never be allowed happiness. While she bled in the pews, he alpha barked me to do whatever he wanted.”
Cassidy blinks hard, waiting to see if I’m serious.
“I will have a scar to prove it,” Vero murmurs. “I’m sure this sounds insane, but many of the things in Rosa and my life would have most people rocking in a corner by now. The ability to keep moving is a strength not everyone has.”
“Truth.” A girl with white-blonde hair sits on Cooper’s other side, and I remember her name is Nina. She’s Pack Thornefield’s omega. “I know better than anyone that the only way to survive is to remain quiet and obedient.”
“Yes. Those who are meant to love us unfortunately also know the best ways to hurt us,” I agree.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve realized I will never be free of my family.
Verona was stopped in a store and almost dragged from it by my Aunt Genevra.
If she had been successful, my father would have used my alpha against me.
One might argue that putting miles between us may help… ”
“But the mafia never forgets,” Silas murmurs. “Lyle, please make sure you didn’t bring your lawyer hat outside with you. I have a feeling you’re going to hate the rest of this conversation.”
“I knew when I offered to have this meeting in our home what I was getting into. Please continue,” Lyle says, amused.
I suppose discussing the potential mass murder of a family wouldn’t necessarily be on a lawyer’s bingo card.
“This still sounds like an internal family issue to me,” Grant says. His posture is stiff, reminding me of a police officer or someone in the military. “It’ll be messy for us to get involved.”
“I can understand that,” I reply, my trembling fingers hidden in my lap.
“The other day, my pack and I sent a message to my father. Aunt Genevra is a gossip, and brings tidbits of information back to him. Her body was found in a dumpster outside of the store she was dragging my alpha from. This ‘internal matter’ is going to spill into the city. You can either help me keep this as quiet as possible, or watch Savannah’s streets run with blood. ”
“We haven’t devolved to threats quite yet,” Silas admonishes. “I appreciate the level of detail you’re willing to offer though.”
“I have an idea for how to end this, but I will need help getting it off the ground,” Vero murmurs, pulling our attention.
Ciro’s eyes widen slightly, but he doesn’t say a word. I trust Vero with my life. If she has something to offer, I know it’ll be worth listening to.
“Hit us with it,” Cassidy says, taking a sip of her tea.
I’m not comfortable drinking anything at another person’s home, so my glass is untouched. I’ve noticed Silas glance at it here and there. I’m aware it’s impolite, yet after being drugged too many times to count, I don’t trust anyone right now.
“Is there something wrong with your tea, Miss Rosalia?” Easton asks. He’s the last member of Pack Mayor, and my hand fists in consternation. Dammit. “Can I get you something else?”
Southern politics and pleasantries often go hand in hand, and breaking bread or enjoying refreshments together is part of this.
“No, nothing is wrong with it,” I say, smiling sadly. “I’m sure it’s fine. My trust issues have nothing to do with you, I won’t drink anything I don’t open myself anymore.”
The rare occasion I do is when someone from my pack offers me a drink. We need each other enough that it wouldn’t make sense for them to try to kill me. My paranoia is riding me hard, and I force myself to take a deep breath.
It seems that I’m going to have to give up a piece of myself to get these people to trust me. So be it.
“I believe my father and his people have been drugging me since a little after I turned eighteen,” I finally say. “I’m aware this has nothing to do with you, however, my anxiety is through the roof as it is. I’d rather not choke down something and make things worse.”
“Leave her alone, Easton,” Silas growls. “I was wondering if you’d prefer something else. Not everyone enjoys sweet tea. Unfortunately, my pack mate thought I was upset by your untouched glass.”
“I’m going to get you a bottle of water,” Cassidy says, shoving back her chair. I open my mouth, and she shakes her head. “Silas, you have glass bottles, right?”