CHAPTER 15 MAURO
It really didn't take Mark long to win Jared over. Just a few short months after they met, the bastard had already convinced him to get married. I stand in the shadow of the hedge surrounding the hotel where the wedding reception is being held, watching everything from a distance, remaining unseen.
Jared looks absolutely breathtaking, his long, angelic hair flowing all the way to his hips, and my heart falls apart as I realize that winning him over could take years… or maybe it will never happen at all.
Should I just give up?
What if he really is my True Mate? What if I'm giving up on the one person who's perfect for me because the obstacles piling up in front of us seem impossible to overcome?
I squeeze my eyes shut, overwhelmed. Why did Fate tear us apart?
Is it my fault? Maybe I don't deserve Jared right now.
Maybe… I need to grow into the person who can be with him?
But how? I'm nobody in the mafia world. I have no status, no connections, and I'm only just starting to make decent money fighting in underground cages…
Is that really an excuse? Maybe I could—
My phone buzzes softly in my pocket, but for the moment I ignore it.
I keep staring at the bridegrooms' first dance.
They sway across the center of the ballroom, and Jared looks fairly happy…
At least, that's how he seems. On some level, though, I'm convinced that he doesn't love Mark.
I don't know why; I just have that feeling.
But maybe that's simply my own projection and wishful thinking.
Still, Mark has done one thing I'm grateful to him for, whether I like it or not.
He got Jared out of the Ring.
Jared is untouchable to those men now, even though they weren't happy about losing him. According to my uncle Vincenzo, Jared had been the most prized and beautiful model they had, and they complained endlessly about losing such a treasure.
There's one more person who's especially furious about it, though.
Rocco.
The two of us have been on icy terms ever since everything happened. A few times Rocco tried talking shit about me to Anzo, but Anzo never seemed particularly interested in our little feud over some omega. From his perspective, it was beneath his attention.
One thing is certain, though. The moment Jared became Mark's fiancé, Anzo warned Rocco to stay away from him. The Ferguson family had been involved in politics for generations. They had influence, powerful connections throughout the city, and crossing them simply wasn't worth the risk.
Rocco accepted that with obvious frustration and barely restrained rage, so in a strange way I feel relieved that the man who took Jared has enough power to keep him away from Rocco.
Oh, I know my brother all too well. If he fixates on an omega, he almost never lets go. I've seen him show up years later at the home of someone he'd once become obsessed with, simply to remind them that he still considered them his.
That's too important to ignore. I know how Rocco operates, and that knowledge is part of what keeps me hesitant to try to snatch Jared away from Mark.
But it also pushes me toward making a decision.
I have to find something on Rocco that could become leverage if the right moment ever comes.
The only problem is… what could that be?
Rocco isn't sentimental. Nothing seems precious enough that I could threaten to take it away from him. Even so, I refuse to believe he has no weak spot. The question is how I'm supposed to find it.
I watch Mark and Jared spinning across the dance floor, and slowly I can feel doubt creeping into my mind, eroding my hopes, accompanied by a strange, bitter acceptance of my own defeat.
Weakness travels through my limbs like an infection, and I have to brace myself against the hedge just to draw in the soothing, cool energy flowing from nature.
The gentle yet life-giving power emanating from it cradles me within itself, allowing me to quell the feeling of depression, to push away thoughts of ending it all…
I have to learn how to live without him.
Without that dream I never even had the chance to touch. Without that sweet fantasy that could have come true… but was just as likely never meant to happen.
Can I, really, stay away?
My eyes land on my naked forearm. Maybe I can turn this nobody's land into Jared's secret property? The thought of getting a tattoo suddenly crosses my mind, and I can't let it go. In this sentimental way, I could have him, an idea of him, with me at all times.
My phone buzzes again in my pocket.
With a sigh, I pull it out and lift it to my ear.
It's my uncle, Renato.
"Finally, Mauro! I've been trying to reach you. I need to talk to you about something important."
I quickly type into my text-to-speech app, the one I use for phone calls.
"Sorry. It's that omega I told you about… the one I believe may be my True Mate. I'm at his wedding. He's marrying another alpha."
"Holy shit… that's the last place you should be. Do you really want to torture yourself like this?"
Sighing again, I type my reply.
"I need to think everything through. Create a long-term plan. It'll take time, but maybe one day I'll succeed. Hopefully."
There is a silence on the other end of the line, as if Renato is considering what advice he can give me.
"Just remember, Mauro, whatever you do, don't end up hurting Jared in the process."
"I know. I just want to be ready if a window of opportunity ever opens."
Renato's voice changes slightly, becoming more solemn.
"Then I think I have an idea that could at least help you build the financial side of that plan.
You've been making better money from your underground cage fights lately, and you've already racked up a few wins.
You seem more focused these days… am I right? "
I sigh because he's not wrong.
It's because I haven't gotten involved in any flings with omega or beta fighters for the past three months. I've been training with complete focus, and meaningless hookups and emotionless sex are the furthest things from my mind.
For the last two years, I'd filled that empty space in my life with exactly that, but those one-month flings usually brought far more disappointment than happiness.
They were drawn to my looks, but I'm not exactly the fun, carefree type who keeps people entertained, so once the initial spark of sexual attraction burned out, there was usually very little left between us.
Renato doesn't wait for my response.
"Whatever you're doing, it seems to be helping your training, and that's a good thing.
If you keep winning, you'll start making even more money, and that could build you a solid future.
You'll have something valuable to offer Jared, something omegas appreciate, especially the ones who want a family: financial security from their partner. "
Wow… that lands heavier than I expected. I'm only twenty. I haven't been thinking that seriously or that far ahead, but maybe this is the moment I should start, if I really want the future I've been dreaming about.
Renato continues.
"I've got a proposition for you. My dear brother Tomasso has completely gone off the rails.
We found out his land is mortgaged for almost exactly what it's worth, and now he wants to sell it off to strangers.
You know I can't stand the thought of that.
I'd buy it myself, but then I thought about you.
Because of what we share, Mauro, because of who you are…
I'd love for you to own that entire forest someday, and this could be the first step toward making that happen. "
I stare at the screen in disbelief before typing back.
"Seriously? You want me to buy the whole of Uncle Tomasso's forest?"
"Exactly. You know your grandfather left him the section with the best forest lots.
There are some incredibly beautiful spots there for building vacation cabins, and many of the lots already have utilities in place.
With a relatively small investment, you could start building rental cabins and eventually create a pretty solid income for yourself.
Just think about it. This area is a gold mine for tourism. "
I blink.
Damn… that's actually a brilliant idea. From the very first words Renato spoke, something about it struck a chord deep inside me.
It would mean a future away from the mafia, a future surrounded by the part of my family that shares my magical nature.
It could mean stability, financial security, and a life I could honestly offer to the person I love someday.
Yes, I inherited a piece of land from my dad too, as did all my brothers, but it's barely a quarter the size of Uncle Tomasso's property, and it's much deeper in the forest, where access is more difficult.
Building cabins there would require far more money, while Tomasso's land is practically perfect for it.
Then a thought flashes through my mind.
I quickly type it into my voice synthesizer.
"Interesting! There's just one problem. Anzo and Rocco can't find out about this because they'd use it against me.
I could transfer the money to you, and you could buy the land in your name.
We'd sign the legal paperwork stating that I'll inherit it from you, but I don't want anyone in my family knowing I own it or that I'm investing anything in it. That's important."
As I type those words, a shiver runs down my spine.
Yes… this all fits together perfectly.
It could become my secret Plan B, my insurance policy in case everything in the mafia eventually falls apart… and sooner or later it will, because I hate that bastard, my capo uncle. Eventually, we're going to clash, and I'd rather be ready for both him and… Rocco.
Well. For Rocco, I need more than just a Plan B. Hell, I might even need a Plan C, D, E… or who knows how many more.
My gaze drifts back to the distant dance floor.
Other couples have joined Jared and Mark by now, their bodies hiding the two of them from view.
My dream will have to wait, and I'll have to keep building my life and my future one step at a time, patiently believing that our paths will cross again.
Jared's and mine.
Maybe Fate will look kindly upon me one day?