Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
NICO
We all head to our respective homes to shower and dress, and my brothers and I take our time before picking up Pablo, Verona, and Rosa to ensure they have time to eat. The three of them are flushed by the time they get into our vehicle, and I can smell their arousal.
I’m jealous none of it is for me, and I sigh as I glare at the plastic bag in my lap. We made a detour on Dario’s request. If we’re in the doghouse, he said, we may as well act like it.
“Why are you huffing and puffing, mi amor?” Pablo asks, shifting in his seat behind me.
“I’m deeply concerned about the choice I’m about to make,” I grumble, pulling out a shock collar. “There was talk about a united front at the store. I think next time I’m going to gag Dario instead of listening to him.”
“I’m the only brother you’re allowed to gag,” Pablo pouts, pulling a chuckle from me as I tighten the shock collar around my throat.
“Darling wife,” I murmur, checking the batteries on the remote control.
“Yes?” Rosa asks, sounding amused as I turn to face her in my seat. Dario is driving today, which means he can put his collar on once he’s in park. The last thing we need is an accident.
“Are you wearing your ring?” I ask, knowing I haven’t removed mine. It would be within her rights to since this is a “fake” wedding for all intents and purposes. I don’t want something on paper anymore.
I also want to buy her a nicer ring. While a beautiful engagement ring would be seen by everyone, so would a bond bite if I do it right. A big rock isn’t helpful if she has to fight, unless it’s to land a punch and take out someone’s eye.
“Yes, mi caro marito. Are you done pissing on me?” she asks sweetly.
“Not yet,” I smirk. “I also am giving you the remote to my shock collar. Use your best judgement, principessa.”
She makes a face at me as she takes the remote, and Verona gleefully shows her how to use it. This may be a very painful visit with my wife.
My conscience has been keeping me awake as much as a restless bond. We don’t share any bites yet, and the alpha inside of me fucking hates that because it means my pack is at risk.
Sitting back in my chair, I inhale her scent deeply as the air conditioner in the vehicle does its job.
The blockers are out of her system enough that the scent match between us activated for me yesterday when I saw her at her cousin’s house.
I could tell Ciro also felt it, because he didn’t sleep well either.
Every single nerve ending inside of me is telling me I need to fix things between us. I didn’t give Rosa the remote to try to be an asshole, but so she can use it to punish me however she sees fit. I gave her a weapon.
As we arrive, I get out of the vehicle and open Pablo’s door, my hand grabbing his to help him out.
Pulling him tightly against my chest, I drag my fingers up the back of his skull, watching as his eyes hood with lust before I’m kissing him until his fingers are twisting into the material of my t-shirt.
My brothers and I dressed down in jeans and casual shirts due to the heat and in an effort to remain as incognito as possible.
I want to enjoy my pack being together, even if it’s all a mess.
My lips lazily tease Pablo’s until he’s breathing hard and whimpering, and my hand ghosts down his body until I can grab a handful of his shorts to grind his cock against mine.
“I missed you,” I murmur, pulling back to enjoy his dazed look.
“I miss you too,” he whispers. “I just…”
“Your place is with Verona and Rosa for now,” I agree. “I will simply remind you of your place with me too.”
“Don’t play dirty,” Rosa says, her fingers finding Pablo’s as she tugs him into motion.
“It’s a good thing that the remotes aren’t all connected,” Verona growls, walking past me. I took longer than I planned kissing Pablo, and they all exited out the other side of the vehicle.
“Always a pleasure, Verona,” I say, giving her my best smile as I close the door.
She trips in surprise, and Ciro catches her with his arm around her waist.
“I know the stronzo is attractive, but watch where you’re going, Verona,” he teases her.
Huffing in embarrassment she follows Rosa and Pablo into the gun store, leaving us to trail after.
“Turn the collar so the shock part is hidden in your shirt,” Ciro says, fixing it for Dario. “Don’t be such a noob.”
“Simp,” I chuckle, opening the door to the gun shop.
“I’m not the only one,” he smirks. “You practically purred at the pretty little alpha.”
“Strategy…Fuck it, she looks pretty today, doesn’t she?” I grumble. “I’ve never liked a woman in a dress before Rosa and Verona. My dick is very confused.”
“Your dick is broadening its horizons. No, that’s not right,” Ciro murmurs. “Maybe it just took the right women for it to express interest. They both have grit, Nico. However, Verona freezes when she panics.”
“Then we show her how to fight through the fear,” Dario grunts.
The only way to play this is by throwing out the rule book entirely. Keeping our omegas and a pretty little alpha on their toes and off balance will be our best bet.
“Do you know how to handle any of these?” a crotchety old man asks, his arms crossed over his chest as he glares at my wife.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.
“I don’t like to sell weapons to someone who looks like she might shoot her foot off instead of a target,” he grumbles.
Rosa’s dark hair tumbles down in waves, and she’s wearing very light makeup. I haven’t made the mistake of thinking of her as weak since she drew a gun on me in the garden the first time I met her.
“My wife is very proficient with a gun,” I reply, smiling unkindly. “Profiling someone incorrectly is a great way to end up dead. Are you Looney?”
“Pack Mayor suggested we come here to pick up some weapons,” Rosa says, hiding her anger.
Even her sweet scent doesn’t change, which is a neat little trick.
Her olive green sundress’ crocheted cutouts show off her skin just enough to make my mouth water, but her attention is solely on the beta in front of her.
“I can call Easton and let him know this isn’t a good fit so we can go elsewhere. ”
“No, that won’t be necessary. He wouldn’t send someone to me who can’t shoot,” he grumbles. “I’m Ezekiel Looney.”
“People only remain ignorant of how to properly use a gun until you teach them,” Rosa adds. “I’m going to need weapons for myself, as well as my omega and alpha. If you could hold any opinions that aren’t solely meant to be helpful, I’d appreciate it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Looney says quickly. “I’m sorry. My shit mood appears to be leaking onto you. I have a gun range in the back. You’re welcome to try out whatever you need, and I can help with training if you’d like. I’m not always a crotchety asshole.”
“Are you capable of training someone?” Verona asks, pursing her lips.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m licensed as a weapons instructor as well. I can show you some options that’ll have minimal kickback.”
Confusion clouds Verona’s eyes, and I decide to explain while I pull the Glock from my back and place it on the counter.
“Kickback is what happens when you pull the trigger and the gun recoils,” I explain.
“The strength in your arms will determine what you can handle, and when you first begin to shoot a firearm, you’ll want something that won’t throw off your aim due to the recoil.
Not only can it hurt you due to the pressure on your shoulder, it can pull your muscles.
It’s also incredibly frustrating to learn how to properly use a weapon that’s trying to get you to drop it. ”
Verona nods slowly, showing she understands as I return my weapon to its holster.
Rosa continues to shop, choosing weapons for the three of them, and I push a black card toward her on the counter. Like Dario, I am also fixing oversights.
“Look at the name on it,” I murmur in her ear. I’m a gentleman as I ignore the shiver that runs through her body and swells my knot, watching as she flips the card to find her name on it.
Rosalia Domino.
“Spend our money however you wish, mia piccola. Arm yourself to the teeth, and fuel our revenge. Because when someone hurts you, they hurt us as well. One day you may even believe me.”
Her fingers tremble slightly as she pushes the card across the counter to Looney, and he glances down with a shake of his head.
“You don’t know if they’ll be what you need until you try them out,” he grunts. “I have jackets to protect your shoulders.”
“We didn’t come prepared to shoot today,” she says with a small smile.
“It’s hotter than a witch’s tit outside. No one wants to wear layers right now,” Looney says, shrugging.
Walking to the door, he flips the sign to closed and locks it before putting the weapons on a tray with ammunition and leading us all down a hallway. I learned on our run together that Rosa prefers it when we keep our mouths shut.
Working in tandem, my brothers and I help hand out protective gear. I lean against the wall as I watch Rosa explain the different parts of the gun, as well as how it works. Looney nods along as he listens, and she glances at him as if to ensure he doesn’t have anything to expand upon.
“Your bullets will go where your feet are pointed, so don’t steer them wrong,” he drawls. His accent is thick and lazy, causing me to focus on each word to understand what he’s saying. “Watch my feet, how my legs are spread, and my breathing.”
The silhouette target is pushed back in the lane until it’s where Looney wants it, and we watch as he hits each target. Several are kill shots, while others are not. Pulling it back, he explains when and why each is important. Sometimes, you’re not shooting to kill.
Rosa’s lips twitch in amusement and he rolls his eyes at her.
“I used to train cops,” he explains. “I’m retired now, and you’re helping me miss it a little less.”
“You are very thorough,” she murmurs.
The next two hours are spent with instruction and practice, and my brothers and I rotate around the room to help where needed.