Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
NICO
Hollis fucking Edwards. I swear, this woman is sent to remind me of the dangers of lying to people. Between her and Isolde, the plethora of crazy omegas I come into contact with are enough to bring me to my knees.
“Hold this,” I grunt, seeing Pablo. “We have a problem. Don’t fucking move, please.”
His wide, dark eyes stay with me as my brothers join him. I hear Dario curse under his breath as he sees Hollis. My father’s sins are mixed with mine today, and apparently it’s time to pay.
“Hollis, why the fuck are you in Savannah?” I growl, my hands reaching out for Vero and Rosa. They grab hold, and I pull them behind me. I know they don’t need me to protect them. They’re both badasses in their own right.
I still don’t want to push Fate as Hollis stands there looking like she wants to punch me.
Pablo was able to get access to the church’s records, and Isolde, my ex assassin, is who crashed my wedding.
I have a twisted past, one my dick has nothing to do with.
No, this has everything to do with my lies.
“I told you what would happen if I found out you married someone against their will,” she says, smiling widely. “I’m here for many reasons, but you’re definitely one of them. Your new wife is very pretty.”
“I don’t need to be saved, if you’re looking for a good deed to complete,” Rosa says, stepping out from behind me. “I’m a bit twitchy in crowds. You’re lucky you didn’t get stabbed.”
“Your wedding photos portray you in a gown and veil so ostentatious, you couldn’t see your face. I very much doubt you’re going to tell me that was your choice,” Hollis snorts. “Are you really going to tell me you’d choose an idiot like Nico as your husband?”
“Why do you have a problem with my husband?” Rosa asks, carefully side stepping the question. “Every marriage has its kinks to work out.”
“Nico has unfinished business with me, and he’s too busy playing house to find his cousin,” Hollis growls.
“I’m busy doing other things as well,” I say coolly. My life is not her business.
“Cousin Emilia refuses to be found,” Dario drawls, stepping closer to Verona. My pack is now fanned out around me, and I smirk as Hollis looks as if she wants to double down and argue about how someone can disappear.
I have a lot of thoughts about that, but I won’t speak to something I don’t have hard facts to back up. I’m tired of saying the wrong thing.
“I understand the urgency you feel,” I begin. “However I really do have things that are life or death to take care of here.”
“Is this why I can’t find out your current address? The fact that I found you while walking past here is a very random bit of luck,” she says.
“Hollis, right?” Verona asks. “I don’t know what your issue is with Nico, but if you dig too hard, you could find yourself in the middle of a war you have no business fighting in, or getting one of us killed. Savannah doesn’t need you here, and neither does my omega.”
Verona is fierce, and color rides high in her cheeks as she glares at Hollis. Aw, I think she likes me.
“I’m looking for a missing person,” Hollis sighs. “Not Emilia. Nico was just the icing on my fucked up cake. I have personal issues with arranged marriages. People should have a choice regarding who they spend forever with.”
“Fate played an uno reverse card, and decided we’re scent matches,” Rosa informs her. “If you’re staying in town, that’s fine, just keep your head down. The adults are playing games you don’t want a part of.”
“Your wife is kind of a feisty, Nico,” Hollis says, smirking. “I love that for you. It seems she’s going to keep you in check.”
“He has an adorable little shock collar and everything,” Verona confesses.
Dario and I begin to cough as we both manage to choke on our own saliva, and Pablo sighs.
“The Dominos don’t do anything normally, Hollis.
We are well aware of the damage my stepfather has caused, but all of that takes time to repair.
You can’t expect us to drop everything,” he says.
“The Italian mafia is very different from the Irish, and we play by different rules. Stay out of our business.”
Damn, tesoro. That was pretty good.
Hollis flushes as her lips open and then close. “Then my conscience is assuaged,” she mutters finally.
“Are you the one who interrupted my wedding?” Rosa asks, her hand rubbing my back as I attempt to breathe.
Fuck, who the hell chokes on their own saliva? I can see the headlines now: Mafia boss is laid low by his own bodily fluids.
Talk about embarrassing.
“No,” Hollis says, grinning. “I didn’t have the chance to attend. We had other business that day. I caught photos from a video camera across from the church. I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates bogus marriages.”
“However we started, that’s no longer true. Now, if you’re done interrupting our dinner, you can go,” my wife says coldly.
“You’re not at all a wilting flower, are you?” Hollis asks shrewdly. “Domino, let me help you with this war you’re fighting. It’s obviously something if your wife is skimming the crowd for something bad that might happen.”
“My entire life is built on the knowledge that something bad will happen. It’s simply a matter of when, not if,” she grumbles.
God, if that’s not the saddest thing I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is.
“What are you offering, Hollis?” I ask. “You’re not from this world.”
“No, but I play mafia politics pretty well where I’m from,” she says. “Give me something to do.”
“Do you play the debutante well or killing people well?” Verona asks softly.
“My father was a mess by the time she was done with him,” I report.
“Oh. That’s who you are,” Rosa murmurs. “Nico, do you think she can play our fucked up games?”
“I have no doubt she can,” I grumble, tugging her closer so I can wrap my arms around her. Hollis raises her brow at me as I hold my wife, but she can go to hell. I’m tired of explaining myself to her. “Maybe if you see what we’re up against, you’ll cut me some slack, Hollis.”
“Doubtful, but you can try,” she smirks.
“Our omegas need to eat,” Ciro says. “If you’re serious, Dario will get your number from our brother and we’ll send you the information.”
“Omegas,” Hollis muses, her gaze snapping to mine. I know exactly what she sees, and she growls under her breath. “You have been busy. I’ll bring some friends if that’s alright. When is this happening?”
“Tomorrow,” I reply. “This isn’t going to be pretty, Hollis.”
“I only look polished and beautiful,” she says.
I heard all about how much death soaked the walls of her father’s final resting place.
I don’t doubt she’s telling the truth. There’s a monster prowling behind Hollis’ gaze, and tomorrow we’ll need as many of those on our side as possible. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Hollis walks through the park behind her, and I see a group of people waiting for her. I don’t know the details as to why she’s here, but it can’t be for anything good.
“Are her demons the reason she finds herself wanting to fight the ones others have?” Rosa asks, taking the basket of food Pablo hands her.
“Yes,” I state, simply because I don’t want to find myself having sympathy for Hollis.
I’d much rather spar verbally with her, and enjoy the way my asshole puckers in fear when I see her. Some fear of the world around you is a healthy thing.