“I can’t take this conversation seriously,” I say, laughing. “Up you go, Ciro. No barking.”
He’s a little pale as he climbs to his feet, the shock collar prominent against his throat in his tank top. All the guys are wearing comfortable running clothing, allowing me to see tattoos peeking out here and there as I get my fill.
“Is that a yes to shopping?” Dario asks, his fingers against his lips to cover a smile.
“I hear that Looney has the best options,” I admit. “Easton said I’d be able to find what I was looking for there.”
“Use your words,mia carissima moglie.May we escort you?” Nico croons.
“I would prefer to go alone, I just know it’s not the smartest option,” I confess. I’m not going to allow my need for independence to be my downfall. It’s why I ran in a group today, and why Easton was our ride last night.
It would be detrimental to our plans if Papa caught us. He’d put me in a cage and never let me out again, or he’d sell me to someone who has no reason to keep me intact. I hear snuff actions are popular, despite my father insisting he finds them distasteful.
“We’ll accept,” Vero says staunchly.
“It’s not a firing squad, Verona,” Nico says, smiling. “You may find you enjoy our company.”
“I enjoy frying the neural passages of wayward alphas,” she shrugs. “But the ones with too much time on their hands? No, I very much don’t enjoy those.”
“As you will,” he growls, watching her closely as we walk.
However, she never shows him the shiver his words create, nor the way the growled words give her goosebumps.
I suppose sometimes, alpha men find ways to get to you, like invasive plants who have no business being in your garden.
Chapter Twenty-One
NICO
We all headto our respective homes to shower and dress, and my brothers and I take our time before picking up Pablo, Verona, and Rosa to ensure they have time to eat. The three of them are flushed by the time they get into our vehicle, and I can smell their arousal.
I’m jealous none of it is for me, and I sigh as I glare at the plastic bag in my lap. We made a detour on Dario’s request. If we’re in the doghouse, he said, we may as well act like it.
“Why are you huffing and puffing,mi amor?” Pablo asks, shifting in his seat behind me.
“I’m deeply concerned about the choice I’m about to make,” I grumble, pulling out a shock collar. “There was talk about a united front at the store. I think next time I’m going to gag Dario instead of listening to him.”
“I’m the only brother you’re allowed to gag,” Pablo pouts, pulling a chuckle from me as I tighten the shock collar around my throat.
“Darling wife,” I murmur, checking the batteries on the remote control.
“Yes?” Rosa asks, sounding amused as I turn to face her in my seat. Dario is driving today, which means he can put his collar on once he’s in park. The last thing we need is an accident.
“Are you wearing your ring?” I ask, knowing I haven’t removed mine. It would be within her rights to since this is a “fake” wedding for all intents and purposes. I don’t want something on paper anymore.
I also want to buy her a nicer ring. While a beautiful engagement ring would be seen by everyone, so would a bond bite if I do it right. A big rock isn’t helpful if she has to fight, unless it’s to land a punch and take out someone’s eye.
“Yes,mi caro marito. Are you done pissing on me?” she asks sweetly.
“Not yet,” I smirk. “I also am giving you the remote to my shock collar. Use your best judgement,principessa.”
She makes a face at me as she takes the remote, and Verona gleefully shows her how to use it. This may be a very painful visit with my wife.
My conscience has been keeping me awake as much as a restless bond. We don’t share any bites yet, and the alpha inside of me fucking hates that because it means my pack is at risk.
Sitting back in my chair, I inhale her scent deeply as the air conditioner in the vehicle does its job. The blockers are out of her system enough that the scent match between us activated for me yesterday when I saw her at her cousin’s house. I could tell Ciro also felt it, because he didn’t sleep well either.
Every single nerve ending inside of me is telling me I need to fix things between us. I didn’t give Rosa the remote to try to be an asshole, but so she can use it to punish me however she sees fit. I gave her a weapon.
