“That’s simple. I’m here to claim my omega.”
Shiloh pursed his lips. Had he accidently stumbled on someone else’s celebration? He glanced at the half drunken glass of champagne and set it down. “Where’s the lucky guy?”
“Your mother was right you know?” he randomly stated, smiling when Shiloh bristled. “You’re too soft. Too trusting.”
“Me?” He laughed incredulously. “Are you serious?”
“That’s the only reason you haven’t put two and two together yet. You’re so smart otherwise, but when it comes to the people you’re close with, you end up trusting them implicitly.”
When he’d been younger, his mother had beaten him any time he got too close to one of the soldiers. It was why he’ddeveloped such strong bonds with the few members of the mafia he’d been allowed to interact with.
“How else would you explain how comfortable you got with that farmer?” Dio asked, practically sneering the last word.
“That’s the underboss,” Shiloh reminded. “Show some respect.”
“To someone who tried taking what was promised to me? I don’t think so.”
Shiloh frowned. “I didn’t know you had an interest in the position.”
“And if I’d told you I wanted it?”
“I would have found a way to make both of you fit.” It wasn’t exactly like Sarang had wanted to be underboss himself. He’d only agreed to taking the job because of Shiloh. If he’d known Dio wanted it, he could have easily found somewhere else to place Sarang instead.
Dio eyed him for a moment and then nodded. “I’ve never wanted to be underboss.”
Okay...??
“Look, this has been fun and all,” not even slightly, “but can we just get to the point? I’m not supposed to be here and—”
“So you’ve figured out that Valentine doesn’t work for Sarang, but not why you’re really here?”
“Sarang wouldn’t have me meet with you,” he said, “especially not like this.”
“Like this?”
“Alone.” There wasn’t anyone else around. Not even the supposed omega Dio— “Oh.”
Fucking. Hell.
Shiloh pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I hope I’m wrong, but…You can’t actually be expecting to markme, right?” Shiloh had always known about his crush,but this was ridiculous. “How many times do I have to turn you down? I think of you as a friend, Dio. Just a friend.”
“Your mother promised you to me. I’ve been patient, but no longer. Once the claiming mark is in place, you’ll learn to adjust.” He took another step closer, pausing when Shiloh responded by flaring his dominant omega pheromones.
Only, they burst out of him once and then quickly began to slow to a trickle.
He frowned a second before the rooftop spun, and shook his head, trying to clear it. “What did you do?”
“Drugged the cake and the champagne,” Dio replied breezily. “I couldn’t leave anything up to chance with you. Give it a moment, you’ll start to lose motor functions, but not consciousness. I need you present to accept the bite.”
Shiloh let out a warning growl and dug his fingers into the table, trying to remain upright when his legs gave out under him. He slammed hard onto his knees and hissed when the stone scraped him.
“Before you tell me you’ll never accept it,” Dio continued, “give me a chance to deliver my pitch. You’ve never been willing to hear me out before, but you don’t really have the option of walking away now.” He smiled again. “I’ve been setting us up to escape from the Eumia. It’s what you’ve always wanted, remember? It’s taken time, but I’ve formed a separate group and saved up enough funds for us to live comfortably anywhere in the universe.”
Operation?
Shiloh struggled to speak, but somehow managed to say, “Elixir?”
