We enter Declan’s home without knocking, my expression one of complete neutrality as I walk in front of my guys. Kole’s words as we left our own home moments ago echo in my mind.“They will test you,Lisichka. They will say things to see how you react. Just be who you are, and we will be fine.”
The guys follow me through the house until I make it to the double doors of Declan’s office. I pause in front of them, taking a deep breath.
“Should we knock?” Hayden whispers, and I shake my head, taking another breath. I can do this. This is my first foray into the mafia world as Jo Gallagher, and I will be successful.
I have to be.
Without a word, I place my hands on each of the door handles and push them open. Pasting a charming smile on my face, I walk into the office, giving a nod to a pensive-looking Declan before turning to Kole’s brothers. “Gentlemen. So sorry to keep you waitin’.”
Two identical men, almost as big as Kole, give me appraising looks as they stand to greet us. Light brown hair in slicked-back but tight curls brush the collars of their shirts, and their eyes, which are almost identical to my giant, twinkle with warmth as the one on the left reaches his hand out. “You must be Jo. I am Luka, and this is my brother, Illya.” The fact that he barely has any sort of accent speaks to the fact they must have moved to the States very young, or they were born here.
I shake his hand, my nose twitching slightly at the inoffensive scents of driftwood and something citrusy. When I switch to Illya, the same scent greets me. Huh, I wonder if them being twins makes their scent identical.
Surprisingly, despite the fact they’re identical twins, I have no issue telling them apart. Luka’s aura screams “bad boy”, while Illya might have a permanent stick up his ass.
An observation that’s reinforced when Luka smirks. “It is nice to finally meet the Destroyer of Alphas in the flesh. You are just as beautiful as the rumors say.”
So far this whole introduction is much more informal than I would have expected, but I’m willing to excuse it as the fact we’re basically family.
So I ignore the snarl that comes from Kole, and I tilt my head. “Oh? And just where are these rumors comin’ from?”
The twins take their seats again, making my hackles rise. I’m no longer confused about the intention behind their actions—that is a clear sign of disrespect.
I thought Kole said they would help us? Why would they, though, if they clearly think so little of us?
“Well,” Luka smirks, “mostly my imagination. Plus, knowing the kind of women Kole would bring home to fuck.” My omega rears her jealous head at the words. Who the hell does this guy think he is, talking about women my alpha has brought home infront of me? The rage in my chest coils as he just keeps talking. “Always gorgeous, always—”
Before I know what I’m doing, a snarl rips out of me as my hand rips my knife out of its sheath and plunges it in the cushion of his seat—right between his legs. One inch up, and he could forget all about ever fucking anyone ever again.
Fuck the fact these are my mate’s brothers—a line has been crossed, and I willnottolerate it.
It vaguely registers that Declan is muttering something about replacing the upholstery. West and Hayden tense behind me, while Kole and Sam move behind the twins in a protective gesture.
“Let me clarify a few things here,Luka,” I snarl, leaning in close as one hand braces on the arm of the chair, and the other stays on the handle of my knife. Luka’s blue eyes widen in surprise and a little bit in fear as I keep his stare. “First—you are here becauseyouneedourhelp obtainin’ power after killin’ your daddy. We no longer require your safe houses, and Kole is not obligated in any way, shape, or form to help you.”
He gulps, and I remove my knife from the cushion, taking a step back until my ass hits the ledge of Declan’s desk. “Secondly, and I mean this with every bone in mymeek, omega body—” I pause, looking between the two of them, “—if you ever disrespect mine and my pack’s relationship again—whether that be through commentin’ on my looks in anythin’ but afuckin’ respectfulmanner or bringin’ up womenmy alphaused to take home, I will kill y’all myself. You know I can, too. It’s right there in my name.”
Illya and Luka look dumbstruck for a moment, with Illya muttering what sounds like, “Destroyer of Alphas”.
And then…they laugh.
My expression screws up in outrage at their laughter, but before I can follow through on my threat of murder, Luka isholding out his hands in surrender. “I apologize—weapologize, Jo. We have nothing but the utmost respect for you and your pack. Please forgive us for our behavior.”
My jaw drops at the sheeraudacity, and I prop my hand on my hip. “And why should we?”
“You must understand…” Illya stands, and Illya follows his lead. “If we are going to throw our lot in with you…place our trust in you to help with our plan to take out our father, we need to make sure you are the real deal.”
A derisive snort bursts out of me. “Thereal deal?”
“Forgive my impertinence, but you have no idea what we went through when your conviction was announced.”
“Whatyouwent through?” Kole looks down at his brothers with his arms crossed. “How could her conviction have affected you in any way?”
“You were already in Thornfield at the time, Nikolai, so you would not know.” Illya shakes his head before turning back to me. “Our father…he was very threatened by you. An omega, somehow able to take out what he views as the ‘superior’ designation? First, he was paranoid. He started upping the volume of omegas being sold, just so there was less of a chance of a Jo Harding copycat coming into play. He became increasingly suspicious of us when we did not share his paranoia. More so when we suggested we wanted to open our own club and move away from trafficking. This was when we had given up hope of being able to remove him from power ourselves. Then, he somehow convinced himself that you never actually killed anyone, and it was all a facade to strike fear into the hearts of alphas.”
“So,” Luka sighs, running a hand through his hair, “we needed to do our own due diligence to make sure you really are who you say you are, and not some…”
“Omega who took credit for murders she didn’t actually commit,” Illya finishes for him.
