I know that look.
It’s the one that Icarus wears when he destroys mafia casino owners with his schemes.
Does he think that Lionzio is no different to those billionaires?
That he deserves to be treated like this?
That he’s protecting me?
Yet I’ve never seen him act like this with a guest. What the hell is going on?
Piper is standing, naked and trembling with fury beside them. “I know MMA, asshole. I don’t care that you’re twice my size; I will rip off your knot if you hurt Lion.”
“I’m fine,” Lionzio rasps, attempting to push off the piano top.
Icarus slams him down more firmly against it.
“So,” Zero says, far more calmly than I was expecting, “this isn’t about coasters, right?”
“It’s about the fact that I don’t believe in coincidences,” Icarus replies. He puts more pressure on Lionzio’s arm, and the other Alpha can’t hold back the groan of pain. “Why were you in the staff gardens? Why was Piper on the staff section of the roof?”
I hug my arms around myself, shivering.
So, Icarus never trusted our new pack. He always intended to question Lionzio.
Lionzio remains stubbornly quiet.
“Ease up on his wrist, yeah?” Piper pleads.
“You think that I would believe a liberal pack like you would come to a hotel like this?” Lionzio demands.
“It’s called a gig.” Zero’s voice is tight. “Us performers go where the offers are, yeah?”
“Am I meant to be an idiot who’d be tricked by your dream of an Omega boss?” Icarus shakes his head. “You should have come up with something more believable. What I don’t understand is why you’re trying to con us. What’s the scam?”
“Iamthe boss.” When Piper growls, it startles me because I truly didn’t think that there was another Omega apart from me who growled at Alphas. “I run a coffee shop with…and this will blow your narrow Alpha mind…my Omega sister. My older Alpha brother raised both of us to be independent. He suffered agonies to make sure that he could give us that.”
Icarus’ expression gentles for a moment, before hardening again, as he leans over Lionzio. “Then if that’s all true, you won’t mind unlocking your phone and laptop and proving to me that you’re not lying about any of this.”
Lionzio turns his head; his immaculate hair has been mussed, and he’s trying hard to hide the pain in his expression. “And you won’t mind me telling you, once again, that your demand is controlling and over the line,and I fucking won’t.”
Icarus snarls, flooding the room with his dominant pheromones. He shoves Lionzio’s arm further up his back.
“Go ahead.” Lionzio sounds resigned. “My adoptive dad beat me every night anyway. The wrist that you are now twisting has been fractured more times than I can count. I still have to wrap it most days, especially when it rains. Do you think that someone like you is capable of getting information out of me?Breaking me?”
Horrified, Icarus instantly lets go of Lionzio. “I never intended to hurt you.”
“Well, you failed then.”
Icarus becomes ashen, backing away. “I’ll get some ice. Should I call a doctor?”
Piper rushes to Lionzio’s side, helping him to stand and then moving Lionzio’s wrist from side to side in what looks like a practiced move.
I frown in concern.
Lionzio flinches. “It’s sore but no damage done. Well, apart from to the brandy. What a waste.”
Zero and I crowd around Lionzio.
