I want more than anything to laugh, to berate him. But Vinny Rossi is not a man to cross. It is better if I play innocent.Dumb.
“Of course,” I murmur. “I am staying with Serena’s family this week. I needed to get out of my apartment.”
He is silent for so long that my heart begins to beat faster with anxiety.
The pitter patter is loud; it drowns out everything. “I miss Tony. I just, I have to heal if I’m ever going to get past this.”
The words have the desired effect. “Of course.”
Creeeaakuh!
My hold on the phone tightens. The creak in the background is distinctive.
I recognize it.
It’s frominsidemy apartment. Just in front of the fridge, there is a spot the landlord never got around to fixing.
My breathing picks up and I know with certainty that I have to get off of this call. I can’t keep pretending this is normal. That Vinny’s obsession doesn’t exist.
How much longer do I have until he forces his bite on me? His knot into me?
Serena must recognize my panic because she leans back and plucks the phone from my hands. Somehow, in the process, she manages not to swerve the car at all. “Hey Vinny, this is Serena.”
I can’t hear what he says, but a low growl leaves her chest.
“Do not make me bringourpast or my father into this. After everything, she deserves to choose. She’s going to stay with me as long as she wants. If that’s a weekend, a week, or a month. You willnotshow up. And youwillkeep your mouth shut.” She doesn’t wait for an answer, choosing to end the call instead.
Their past?Confusion hits my temple.
Her father?But then I guess it makes sense.
Serena’s father is the head of the Omega’s Rights Advocacy. He’s why First Chapter Clinic and those like it exist. Maybe she is threatening him. The ORA is the reason heat clinics are accessible and affordable. It is what prevents Vinny from taking me as his omega.
Well at least he can’t take melegally.But what’s to stop him? Does he even care about legalities?
I don’t know the full extent of the Rossifamilybut I know that Tony did all he could to stay clear of it. And I know that the Rossis and the Stellars were the families in this town to avoid.Their bitter rivalry stemming from an encounter between the two families that left one dead and the other catatonic.
But I didn’t know much more than that.
Due to Tony’s dislike of the Rossis, I had only really met Vinny and that wasafterTony died.
My grief floods me. The dam bursting as thoughts of Tony circulate. My impending heat had distracted me, but now with the pain gone, I am forced to rememberwhyI am heading to a clinic.
My alpha is dead.
“I’m turning your phone off and I’ll keep it with me after I take you to the clinic. It will be safer that way,” Serena cuts through my spiraling. “We’re almost there. You’re going to make it through this and then you take the time you need to truly heal and decide what you want.”
I don’t respond, I can’t. Her words come from a place of concern, and I don’t want to hurt her. She is already doing so much for me.
The car is silent, save for my open window. The fresh air is keeping my head clear, but I know it won’t be much longer until another wave hits. Until I am begging for my alpha’s knot.
My alpha who won’t come. He can’t.
As if she is a mind reader, Serena once more cuts through my intrusive thoughts. “Tony loved you. He wouldn’t want you to live the rest of your life alone. He wouldn’t want you to suffer on his behalf.” Her tone is void, but her words are intentional.
“We made vows. I promised him.” My voice is weaker than I intend and I bring my knees up under my chin, wrapping my arms around them. My attention goes to my bag next to me, I want more than anything to pull out his shirt, to wrap myself in his scent. But I don’t.
It would be my undoing.
