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Prologue

Dario

I’m flabbergasted when the sexy blond omega seated alone at the bar refuses the drink I bought him. I can’t remember the last time an omega turned me down. Doesn’t he know who I am? I’m Dario Coppola, Black Knives syndicate leader Valentino Syracuse’s second. That commands respect in Los Demonios. That little omega should be trembling in fear that he just disrespected Valentino’s right-hand man. But as he glances at me over his shoulder, his expression isn’t anything close to fear. He looks… smug?

Lewis, the bartender, gives me an apologetic smile and a little shrug. My cheeks heat because he looks almost sorry for me.

Fuck that.

I stand, bumping the table, and the two guys I’m with, Lucio and Paul, look up at me questioningly.

“Something wrong, boss?” Paul asks, glancing around warily, putting his hand on his piece under his jacket. “You see something coming?”

“No. Relax,” I rasp, eyes still trained on the omega who refused my drink.

Lucio’s gaze follows mine. “Oh.” He elbows Paul. “Boss is on the hunt.”

Not responding, I move slowly toward the bar and stand behind the omega. I can tell he feels my presence. His shoulders are rigid, belying the dismissive look he shot me a moment ago. I inch closer, wanting him to feel the heat of my body hovering. I inhale his sugary lavender omega scent. He must know who I am, so I’m intrigued by his standoffish behavior. But that’s okay. I like the chase.

Sometimes it’s the best part.

“Something wrong with the drink?” I ask gruffly.

The omega hesitates and then once more glances over his shoulder at me. The second our eyes meet, my cock is hard. Up close, he looks even tastier. Thick, black lashes surround stunning jade-green eyes. His lips are full and red like ripe cherries, and his features aristocratic and refined. He’s fucking gorgeous. He’s like something Johannes Vermeer might paint. A little smile has the corner of his mouth inching upward.

“When an alpha buys me a drink, I prefer it when he does so in person.” His voice is husky. Confident.

Okay, I can work with that.

So, he’s not disinterested. He’s high-maintenance. Fair enough. I take the empty barstool next to him. “Well, I’m here now.”

“Yes, you are.”

“What’s your name?” I ask, signaling to Lewis to get the guy another drink and me as well.

“Alessio.”

“Do you have a last name, Alessio?”

“Does it matter? Are you planning on embroidering my initials on something?”

I laugh. I can’t help it. He’s a smart ass, and I’m partial to mouthy omegas. The mouthier they are, the more I love conquering them in bed. “Okay, so no last names.”

He studies me, and I’m surprised to feel my pulse flutter a bit. That isn’t like me. Omegas don’t get under my skin very often. But he does. I really want to fuck this omega. I don’t care where either. I’ll take him right here on the bar if he wants. I can just imagine what it would feel like to have his warm, lithe body trembling beneath mine. I haven’t wanted anyone this much in a while. I think it’s his snooty manner that’s getting me so turned on. I doubt he’d look that unflappable with my cock pounding his ass.

Lewis sets our drinks down in front of us. Alessio picks up his martini, and I grab my whiskey and hold out my glass. “To new connections.”

He smirks a bit. “Sure. That works.” He sips his drink, licking his lips once he’s swallowed.

“I haven’t seen you in here before. You look too classy for this joint.”

“Yeah?” He shrugs. “Well, sometimes I like to slum around with the little people. It pisses off my dad, and I love pissing him off.”

“Is that right? I don’t suppose you’ll tell me who your dad is?”

“Nope.” He laughs, and it sounds sincere.

“Okay, I don’t mind not knowing.” I sip my drink and then add, “I hated my old man too.”

He glances at me sharply as if surprised I’d tell him that. “Why?”

“He liked to put cigarettes out on the back of my neck as a kid. That didn’t endear him to me.”

“Shit.” His response is sharp, and I can see he’s rattled by my little story.

“But let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about nicer things.”

“Sure.” His coy smile returns, but his knee bounces up and down beneath the bar, once more showing he’s not as unaffected by me as he pretends. What’s his deal, I wonder? He looks too high-end to be a hooker. Plus, he’s ignored every alpha’s attempt to talk to him. So far, I’m the only one who has had a semi-conversation with him. I can’t help but feel honored. I get the feeling he’s picky. I’m picky too.

Lately.

I didn’t used to be. I used to sleep with all of Valentino’s cast-offs. But ever since Valentino settled down with his omega Nico, I’ve been a little envious of how happy they are. I’m still super close to Valentino, so it’s not a jealousy thing. I simply sometimes wish someone would look at me the way Nico looks at Valentino and vice versa.

Not that I’m expecting to have that sort of connection with an omega I meet in a bar. Alessio isn’t exactly giving off nesting vibes. But I do think about settling down more these days. Maybe I’m getting old. I’d like to have a kid someday before I’m ancient. Something tells me Alessio would produce gorgeous offspring.

Why the fuck am I thinking about that shit now?

“I don’t usually do this sort of thing,” Alessio says softly, looking at me from under his thick lashes.

“No?”

He pushes one slender finger through the condensation on his glass. “My father keeps me locked up in his stuffy old house.”

“He keeps you there against your will?” I can’t quite keep the alarm from my voice.

He laughs. “Well, I mean, I’m not a prisoner, but he discourages me from going out alone.”

“Oh, I see.” I frown. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-four.”

That’s a bit old for a parent to be so controlling of their adult son. But who am I to judge? “He’s probably just trying to protect you because you’re an omega. That’s what we alphas do. We protect our omegas.”

“Is that right?”

“Sure.”

“Seems to me alphas just take advantage of omegas every chance they get.” His eyes glitter with something akin to resentment.

I smirk. “It’s been my experience some omegas like that.”

His mouth thins. “I’m not weak.”

“That I do not doubt.”

“A lot of alphas think omegas are weak.”

I shrug. “A lot of alphas are idiots.”

He laughs, seeming pleased at my response, and he inclines his head toward me. “I like you.”

“Yeah?” Excitement thrills me, and I feel actual anticipation. My palms are even a bit sweaty. If he turns me down, that will be a huge disappointment. I really, really want to fuck him. “I like you too.”

He studies me, and his face is close enough that I can see a dark ring around the green of his iris. “Would you want to maybe… get out of here?” he asks softly.

My dick throbs so hard I grunt. But somehow, I manage a calm, “Yes.”

He puts his hand on my forearm, and the heat seeps into my skin through my suit jacket. His body temperature is raised, indicating his arousal. My pulse spikes as my body responds to the pheromones he’s giving off. I want him bad. I want him more than once. I don’t think I can wait until we get to either his place or mine. I need a taste now. Then, we can go somewhere else, and I can take my time with him.

While I live in Valentino’s home most of the time, I have my own place for when I have time off. I don’t like bringing guys back to the Syracuse mansion. It feels too much like bringing a boyfriend home to my parent’s house. Especially now that Valentino and Nico have a kid. I’d feel like a weirdo sneaking my one-night stand into my bedroom, knowing baby Antonio is down the hall in the nursery.

“My car is out back,” Alessio says huskily.

“Then let’s go.” I grab my phone and text Paul and Lucio a short message.

Take a cab home. I have other plans.

Shit, boss, you move fast. Paul responds.

Pay my bar tab. Lord knows I’ve paid yours enough times.

Somebody is in a hurry to get some.

I stand and meet Lewis, the bartender’s gaze. “Paul’s got the tab.”

“No problem, sir,” Lewis says smoothly.

I turn to Alessio. “Ready to head out?”

He stands too and says softly, “So then, your friend Paul bought my drink, not you? Maybe it’s Paul I should go home with.” That little smirk is back.

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” I slip my arm around his waist. “You say your car is out back?”

“It certainly is.” He allows me to lead him toward the dark hall that winds past the restrooms. At the far end is the exit, which doesn’t have an alarm hooked up. It’s where everyone slips out to smoke or get blow jobs.

As we move down the hall, I let my hand glide down his back, and it comes to rest on his firm ass. He gives a small grunt, and he shivers. I like that he’s so responsive to my touch. Yeah, I definitely need to take the edge off with this guy before we get to his place. I don’t want to come in the car, and I feel like just the brush of his hand could get me off. I want to come inside him.

Now.

Once we step outside, the night air is damp and cool. I feel so hot and bothered by this omega, I’m surprised my skin doesn’t sizzle as the moist air hits it. There are six cars parked in the back; one of them is a white BMW. I know instinctively that car belongs to this snooty omega.

He starts toward the BMW, but I grab his arm and pull him back to the building. Then I press him up against the wall, and I kiss him. He’s surprised, and I can feel it from the tension in his body. But then he gives a surprised little moan and opens his mouth to my tongue. Lust roars through me at his sweet taste. No omega ever tasted this good. I’m drunk on his scent and flavor.

“You on the pill?” I mumble, rubbing my hands over his bulging crotch.

He nods, looking dazed. “I didn’t plan this part.”

I narrow my eyes. “What part?”

He swallows hard and unzips his pants. “What the hell? I’m horny. You’re horny. Who’s gonna know or care?”

“Fuck, yeah.” I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it’s fine with me because he’s pushing his pants down and turning to face the wall. I stroke my trembling hands over his firm, white ass. Leaning my weight against his, I whisper, “I’m gonna take this little ass hard. You want that?”

He shudders and turns his head. His lips are so full and tempting, I take his mouth hungrily. Fuck, I’ve never enjoyed kissing more. It’s like I can’t get enough of him. He arches his back, and I push my pants below my ass and tug out my dick. I’m so fucking hard, and his hole is dripping slick like a faucet.

“Fuck me,” he whimpers, his slender fingers splayed on the brick wall. “This is fucking stupid, but I want it.”

Again, I have no idea what he’s babbling about, but the head of my cock is pressing his hole, and as the tense muscles give way and let me in, my brain short circuits. His insides are hot and tight, and my eyes roll up in my head as I sink deep. “Fucking hell, your little hole feels good.”

He groans and pushes back on my dick, he’s trembling, and I’m worried his legs are going to give out. So I wrap my arms around his waist, and I start fucking him deep and fast. He cries out, an anguished cry of lust and want. That sparks something primitive deep inside of me. The hairs on my body rise, and my teeth ache. If my kind still shifted, I’m pretty sure I’d be in wolf form by now.

“Oh, shit. Oh, fuck.” His voice wobbles with every thrust. “I… I didn’t expect this, shit.” He’s breathing hard, and he reaches back, digging his nails into my bare thigh. “I’m gonna come. Fuck. You’re gonna make me come.”

“Yeah, I am,” I growl, and I thrust even harder.

He gives a strangled cry and paints the wall with his release. It slides down the red brick, white and creamy. His body is shaking and convulsing with his orgasm, and his quaking hole sends me over the edge.

“Fuck,” I hiss, and my dick jerks and pumps a huge load inside his warm center. He moans and rides my dick, milking every last drop. I’m wheezing like a racehorse as I finish inside him. I feel drugged as my climax gently fades from rabid desperation to warm drowsiness. I pull out of him quickly because my knot is trying to form. I pinch the base of my cock, and grit my teeth. It’s uncomfortable to stop the knot, but it’s also bad form to knot an omega you’re not claiming.

He rests his head on his forearm, breathing hard. “This was most definitely not on the agenda for tonight.”

I’m not sure why he’d say that since he was in a bar known to be a pickup spot. “Yeah, well, you’re a surprise to me too.” I wipe my dick clean with a tissue from my pocket.

He turns and watches me as he pulls up his pants. His expression is odd. Usually, after sex, omegas immediately start asking when we can hook up again. But if anything, Alessio looks distracted. Uneasy. Frustrated.

He’s perplexing to me. I can’t read him like I can most omegas. I straighten my clothing and smile at him. I want more of him, but he’s looking so uncertain, I’m not sure if that’s what he wants too. “I just needed to take the edge off. No reason we can’t still go to your place.”

“Yeah?” He looks surprised. “I figured since you got what you wanted, you’d be on your way.”

“I only got a taste of what I want.”

He shivers, but he also frowns. “This is getting way more complicated than expected.”

I give a confused laugh. “Is it?”

Alessio flicks his gaze over my shoulder. “Took you long enough to get here.”

“What?” I scowl.

I hear the scrape of a shoe behind me, and I swing around. A yellow-eyed alpha is standing there with a gun trained on me. He’s vaguely familiar, but I can’t place him. “Who the fuck are you?” I growl, uneasiness shifting through me.

The guy smirks, but before he can answer, I feel the stab of a needle pressing into the side of my neck. I bat the arm away, spinning around to see Alessio standing there, holding a hypodermic needle. I press my hand to the stinging spot on my neck, and my limbs feel heavy.

“What the fuck did you do?” I mutter, my tongue sluggish. The outer corner of my vision blurs and my legs feel weak. “What the hell is this?”

Alessio shrugs, his smirk returning. His eyes glitter with malice as he hisses, “I’m going to give Valentino a taste of his own medicine.”

I try to respond with something threatening. Witty. Dangerous. Instead, I make a sort of gurgling sound and fall toward the ground like a felled redwood.