Chapter Nine
Marcello
A week passes and the bruises on Elio’s face and shoulder are fading from purple to a sickly green-yellow. The bite on his neck has scabbed over too, well on its way to healing.
I’ve kept my distance sexually, but it hasn’t been easy.
Every night I’ve wanted to bring him into my bed.
I’ve longed to taste him again. Touch him.
Feel him under me, moaning my name. Knowing he’s in the room next to mine has made it even harder to deny myself.
But he needed time to heal and so I gave him that time.
Hopefully he appreciates how respectful and considerate I’m being. It’s definitely not in my nature to put others before myself. But I told him I was capable of that, so I’m doing my best to think of his needs before my own.
Despite that, I sense that Elio isn’t happy. More to the point he’s bored. He has nothing to do. A person can only wander the gardens and read before it becomes tedious. He visits Fabio every day, and those visits light him up, but the hours between are dull for him.
He had a more active life before marrying me.
A job that allowed him to earn money and feel useful, he had his brother to take care of and worry over.
He was always busy, always moving, always working to keep Fabio safe.
All of that is gone now, and he doesn’t have anything to occupy his time.
I should have realized that could be a problem before bringing him here.
What will happen if he gets too bored? Will he reach out to that Pete guy?
Those uneasy thoughts circle my brain as I sit in my office at Foschini Development.
My syndicate occupies the top two floors of a sleek stone-and-glass building near the center of Sorrento Bay.
I’m trying to make some calls and handle some issues down at the port, but I just keep picturing Elio back at the house, bored and unhappy.
Maybe it’s time I did something to get his spirits up.
He’s stressed about Fabio’s upcoming surgery.
I could leave work early and surprise him by taking him out for a good time.
Married couples do that, right? I could take him to the Sorrento Bay Country Club and we could play some tennis, or swim in the pool.
It would be good for us to enjoy time together that has nothing to do with the contract.
Just an alpha and his omega hanging out and having a good time.
I close my laptop, and Carlo looks up from his phone. “I’m taking off early today,” I say, rising and tugging on my suit jacket.
Carlo leans back in his chair. “Excuse me? Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m feeling great.” I straighten my tie. “I think I’ll take Elio to the club. Show him off a little. The kid is bored out of his mind.”
Carlo’s lips twitch. “You’re doing this for him?”
“Yeah. I do stuff for other people.” I move toward the door. “Plus, I haven’t been to the club with Elio yet. Gotta let the people see us happy together, right? It’s all part of the act.”
“So, it’s not that you enjoy your time with Elio or anything?” Carlo looks like he’s trying not to laugh. “It’s all for show?”
I shrug. “I mean, mostly.”
Chuckling, Carlo shakes his head. “It’s okay to enjoy your time with him, Marcello. You don’t have to pretend it’s an obligation. He’s hot. He’s smart. He’s funny. I get why you want to be around him. Fuck, he’s your husband. Take advantage of that.”
“I plan on it.”
“Good. You should. You work too much. You need more balance in your life.”
I scowl at him. “What are you, my life coach now?”
He holds up his hands. “Forgive me for weighing in. I just want you happy.”
With my hand on the doorknob, I turn to meet his gaze. “You do remember this is a contract marriage, right?”
“I know.” He shrugs. “But I also see the way you look at Elio. I know you really like him. I think that’s great. I haven’t seen you this way ever with any other omega.”
I frown. “What way? I’m not doing anything different.”
He barks a laugh. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
“Did you ever once in two years leave work early to go spend time with Sandro?”
My face warms because he’s right. I never put Sandro before my work. I’ve never put anyone before work. Work has always been my focus, even before I was the don. I put everything I had into my role as an enforcer too.
I clear my throat. “The marriage will go smoother if Elio is happy. He’s bored. If he gets too bored, he might do something stupid.”
“Like what?” Carlo frowns.
“I don’t know. Maybe text that asshole alpha back in his hometown. Who knows? A bored omega can be trouble.” I open the door. “I need to keep him occupied.”
“Plus, you need to get busy putting a baby in him,” Carlo calls out, sounding amused.
“Yeah, that too.”
When I arrive at my estate, I find Elio in the sun room.
He’s sitting in the window seat with his knees pulled up, dozing.
My heart bumps oddly as I watch him sleeping.
He appears younger and unguarded as he sleeps.
His dark lashes are thick against his cheeks, and his flaxen hair looks glossy and soft in the afternoon light.
He must sense my presence because he startles suddenly, opening his eyes.
When he sees me, his serene expression changes and his usual mask falls into place. He rubs at his eyes, clearing his throat. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.”
“You’re home early.” A flash of concern goes through his green eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong.” I hate that that’s the first thing he thinks. He’s been conditioned to expect bad things. I’d like to change that.
He slumps with relief. “I thought maybe something had happened to delay Fabio’s surgery.
“No. Everything is on schedule.” I hesitate, feeling uncharacteristically nervous.
What if he rejects my idea? I can’t remember the last time I felt anxious about someone rejecting me.
But the truth is, it’s possible Elio won’t want to go to the club with me.
Maybe hanging out with me isn’t his idea of fun.
He blinks at me. “Did you need to talk to me about something?”
“Uh, yes. I left work early.”
He tilts his head. “Okay.”
I laugh gruffly. “What I mean is, I left work early because I thought we could go do something fun. Together. If you want we could go to the club.” Why am I giving him a choice? I should have just said we’re going to the club. Get dressed.
His eyes widen slightly and his lips part. “You mean, like a date?”
“Sure. Why not?” I push my hands into my pockets, trying to look nonchalant. Hopefully he doesn’t notices the sweat on my upper lip.
“What kind of club is this? You mean like a dance club?”
I recoil. “God no. Dance clubs are not my thing.”
“They’re not really mine either.”
“I meant we could go to the Sorrento Bay Country Club. We can play some tennis or swim. Grab some dinner. Whatever you want to do. It’s got everything there.”
“Oh, I’ve never been to a country club before.” He looks down at his jeans and T-shirt. “What would I wear?”
“Jeans are fine.” I run my gaze over his body. “I think I have a polo shirt that’s too small for me you could wear. I keep forgetting you need clothes. You have to remind me of things like that, Elio.”
He drops his gaze. “I bought some clothes, but they got trashed in the accident.”
“I see.” I frown. “Why didn’t you go shopping again to replace them?”
His face tenses. “It was awkward shopping. Everyone kept giving me everything for free. It was awful.”
I laugh. “What is so awful about free stuff?”
He scowls. “Why should I get my clothes free? Just because I’m your omega? Those stores deserved to be paid for their inventory.”
I cross my arms, studying him. “That’s just their way of showing respect.”
“I’d rather they found a different way.”
“Okay, so you’re not used to how we do things around here. How about you buy some stuff online? Amazon is only too happy to take your money.”
“I guess I could do that.”
“So, anyway.” I clear my throat. “Do you want to go to the club with me or not?”
My nerves return as our eyes meet and he hesitates. I see the moment it occurs to him that he can say no. I stupidly gave him a choice.
But he doesn’t say no. He shrugs. “Sure, that sounds fine.”
Ridiculous warmth spreads through my chest. I ignore it and say gruffly, “Be sure to bring sunglasses.”
“I forgot to pack sunglasses.” He looks embarrassed.
“That’s okay. I have some extras.” I smile at him, happy he’s coming with me. “This will be fun.”
“Beats hanging around the house all day, I guess.”
Ignoring his lack of enthusiasm, I say, “Let’s go get you that shirt and some sunglasses.”
A half hour later, we’re pulling up to the country club. The club is situated on the western edge of Sorrento Bay, perched on a bluff above the water. The drive in winds through a tunnel of mature elms before opening onto broad, manicured lawns.
The main building is white colonnaded stone, sprawling and low.
Clay tennis courts sit beyond a clipped hedge to one side, each one enclosed by dark green fencing and shaded spectator benches.
Farther out, the golf course rolls in immaculate green waves, broken by sand traps and oak trees.
Below the veranda, a long pool throws back the sun in hard silver flashes, surrounded by blue striped loungers and white umbrellas.
Elio’s expression is tense as my driver Anthony pulls up to the entrance to the country club. “So this is where mafia types go to hang out and relax,” Elio murmurs, taking it all in.
“Yes. It’s neutral ground. Business gets done here, but mostly people come to let loose and get some exercise.” I adjust my gold watch on my wrist. “Even mafia types need a little R&R.”
Elio’s jaw is clenched as he stares at the club. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m just a regular guy. I don’t feel like I belong here, Marcello.”
“Don’t be silly.” I reach over and straighten the collar of the light green polo shirt I loaned him. I ignore his subtle flinch. “You belong here because you’re with me. You’re my husband, remember?”