Chapter 16 #2
Now, I’m trying to build some type of bridge between Verona, Rosalia, and I, but first I need to make it to the front door. All I know is that they’re staying at Pack Mayor’s house, and I know the address because it has been discussed in my presence several times.
Unfortunately, the only pack member’s name that I know is Lyle. He’s some sort of lawyer, and apparently he threatened to dissolve Nico’s marriage to Rosalia. I wonder if they know Nico and she haven’t slept together yet. Can’t marriages be undone due to this?
Ah. Yes. The word I’m looking for is annulment.
I looked it up on my phone, and I found out it’s difficult to prove, since it’s one person’s word against the other’s.
Nico doesn't know the meaning of “playing fair”. I adore him, and always will, but he is the person who would throw sand in someone’s eyes to win a fight.
“Can I help you?”
Mierda. Why am I so fucking awkward? Glancing up at the front door, I find that I must have been standing on the sidewalk for longer than I thought. The taxi is long gone, and there’s nothing else I can do but move forward.
I struggle not to tug on my clothing because while he’s dressed in a casual polo and pants, I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I really didn’t think this through.
This is a really fucking nice neighborhood, and I look like a damn bum.
“Hopefully,” I say, walking toward the blonde hair that’s going to white. “Are you Lyle?”
“I am not,” he says with a twist of his lips. “Who are you?”
“I’m Pablo Domino. I’d like to speak to Rosalia and my alpha if they’re willing.”
“Do they know you’re here?” he asks, still not identifying himself.
“They do,” I reply, shrugging. “I’m allowed to go where I please. The Dominos don’t keep their omegas captive, no matter the misunderstandings currently happening.”
“Of course not,” he muses. “You must be from Pack Domino to speak like this, but I wasn’t aware any of their family was in town.”
“I’m their stepbrother. I don’t leave the house very often,” I explain.
At the alpha’s slightly widening eyes, I sigh. I’m fucking this up.
“I am not the best with weapons. They want me to stay safe and my relationship with them makes me a mark. I hope I’m not making a mistake by saying this to you.”
“Of course not. I’m Easton. Lyle is currently at the courthouse at trial.
Pack Domino doesn’t have the best track record with their omegas, which is why I asked.
Unfortunately, Rosalia is feeling a bit under the weather.
I don’t think she’s going to be able to see you today.
I’m sorry you came out this way. Do you need a ride home? ”
“No, thank you,” I murmur, my mind already turning with what that could mean. I’m not an idiot. Nico has been sick all day. “I’ll order a car and wait on the corner. Thank you. I’m sorry I put you out.”
Turning quickly, I hurry to the sidewalk, ignoring him when he calls out my name.
He wasn’t rude, but it’s clear I’m not getting inside.
I told him I would walk to the corner to wait, but that’s not true.
Instead, I walk down the fence, wait until he goes back inside, and then jump it.
I walk straight down the little alley while avoiding windows, and then jump that fence into the garden.
I’m breathing a little harder by the time I’m in the back yard, but it’s fine. My heart is pounding from the possibility of getting caught, and I find myself looking around anxiously to be sure no one comes out and sees me.
I need to see Rosalia for myself, because I’m now getting a really bad feeling. Is it possible to get bond sickness without ever scenting your match?
The metaphysical parts of destined pairs are fickle. It can’t be studied the way the biology of it can be.
I use the cover of the bushes and the flowers of the garden to hide behind as I move until I’m standing outside the guest house I heard Ciro talk about while I was falling asleep last night, and raise my hand to knock. I am probably working on borrowed time at this point.
Verona opens the door, appearing stressed, and her eyes widen when she sees me.
“Is she okay? There’s something wrong, right?” I say urgently. “Is she in heat?”
“Why would you think that?” she asks, stepping outside and closing the door. “How did you get here?”
Verona watches me with narrowed eyes and shakes her head as she sees something.
“Not here as in the property, but into the yard. I doubt Pack Mayor just opened the back door and invited you.”
“Oh.” God she’s so pretty. Focus! “I jumped the fence. I wanted to talk to you two, and my stepbrothers are kind of on your shit lists.”
“What makes you think you aren’t?” Verona asks, though her lips twitch.
“I haven’t done anything but hide, so I suppose I haven’t had time to get on that list. Outside of acting like a brat due to staying in my room.”
“You’re not a brat,” she sighs. “You felt hurt, and that’s my fault. I’m sorry. I didn’t handle any of this very well. Rosa has a fever, and I can’t get it to go down. It’s not her heat, I think she may be sick. She’s not responding to me, and it got worse today.”
“Nico has had a pounding headache all day. You may not know this, but he’s linked to Rosalia. When they’re apart it’s the worst. He gets really anxious, and seems to feel what she does.”
Verona doesn’t respond but bites her lip as she reopens the door.
“Come in.”
I thank her as I follow her inside, and she takes me to Rosalia. She’s laying in a bed, her face flushed with a fever.
“This could be a breakthrough heat?” I suggest, my hand reaching out to cup the omega’s face. She whimpers as she nuzzles into my palm, and I worry at my bottom lip with my teeth. “The doctor came back with the test results. Did Dario text them to you?”
“I haven’t checked the phone,” she mumbles.
“Don’t bother. Dr. Walsh said her hormones are going to be a mess while she gets rid of the rest of these medications… Fuck. I need to call Dario. I won’t say anything, I need to ask the doctor something. Shit, I’ll text him.”
“Pablo. It’s not life threatening. I’m not affected by it, outside of feeling anxious for her. Take a breath.”
“I know. Espera.”
After grumbling at her to wait, I pull out my phone and begin typing.
Me
I’m here. I need the doctor’s number, please.
Dario
Since you asked so nicely. Here it is.
My lips twitch because he’s not one to tease, but I find him slowly doing it more. Connecting the call as soon as the number is sent to me, I startle as Verona pulls my lip away from my teeth.
“Stop doing that.”
I blink at her for longer than I should, and I force myself to react when the doctor picks up.
“Dr. Walsh? This is Pablo Domino. Do you know what would cause a high fever in omegas that wouldn’t be a heat?”
“Is this about Rosa?”
“Yes,” I say, putting the phone on speaker. “Tell him, Verona.”
“So bossy. Apparently it’s a Domino trait.
Hello, Doctor. For the last three days, she hasn’t felt well.
All scents are overwhelming to her, and she passed out three nights ago.
She hasn’t been conscious for more than a few minutes at a time, and she recently began to throw up. I haven’t felt ill though.”
“I see. She almost died when you were stabbed, so I can see why your train of thought would believe this could be a cold. I think this is withdrawals from the blockers. I didn’t think they were addicting, but these are street drugs,” the doctor mutters.
“Could they be laced with something?” I ask worriedly.
“I didn’t think to check for narcotics in my blood work. Clearly, that was my oversight,” Dr. Walsh grumbles. “Are you home?”
“No. Here’s the address.” Verona rattles off the address, explaining that she’d let Pack Mayor know what’s happening.
Once I hang up, she sighs, “I need my phone now to call Easton. He should still be at the house.”
She goes searching for it and finds it in the kitchen. As she returns, her eyes move to where I’m still cupping Rosalie’s cheek.
“Get in the bed, please,” she orders. “Nothing has made her feel better. I’m kidnapping you until she’s better.”