Page 127 of The Don’s Omega

He meets my gaze. “Of course, I’m… I’m happy for you if you’re truly happy.” His eyes glitter with apprehension. “But I worry it’s not real. I worry once you give him his heir, he’ll change and throw you aside.”

“He won’t.” I completely understand why Fabio thinks that though. He doesn’t know Marcello. There’s no reason for Fabio to trust Marcello. Hopefully in time, that will change.

His expression tenses again. “So, where do I fit into your life now?”

I frown. “You’re my brother. You fit in like you always have.”

“No, you have an alpha now and a baby on the way,” he says softly. “You don’t need me around.”

I laugh gruffly. “Bullshit. I’ll always need you around.”

He looks dubious.

“You think I don’t want you in my life now?” I shake my head. “That’s not even a little true. It’s my wish you’ll come to live with me, Marcello, and his family.”

He widens his eyes. “What?”

“I don’t want you to go back to Millhaven. You obviously need to recuperate and get your strength back. But even when you’re strong again, I want you near me. When you’re discharged in a few weeks, I want you to move into Marcello’s home with me.”

“I can’t live with you and your alpha.” He looks horrified at the idea.

I grimace. “His home is a mansion, Fabio. We have our own wing. His family has their own wing. You could have your own wing. You’d have all the privacy you could ever want. Way more than you ever had back in our little apartment in Millhaven.”

“I can’t imagine living with you, your alpha and his family. That sounds horribly awkward.”

“That’s because you haven’t met Marcello or his family yet. They’ll love you immediately, I’m positive of that. Once you’re strong enough to live on your own, then we can decide what you want to do, okay?”

“I don’t know, Elio,” he murmurs. “Maybe I should just go back to Millhaven.”

I scowl. “You’d just leave me like that? I thought we always promised to live near each other. You’re just throwing that out the window now?”

He drops his gaze. “I… I don’t want to leave you. But I also don’t want to be a burden anymore. It’s time you lived your life how you want.”

“Okay, well, if that’s truly how you feel then you’ll come live with me because that’s what I want. We always said we’d stay close to each other. I don’t just want to see you on holidays, Fabio. I want you in my everyday life. I want you to know my child and to be a part of their world. If you move away, I’ll be gutted. You need to stay with me for now. It’s the most practical solution until you’re stronger.”

“Yeah, I can imagine Marcello would love having me around.”

I huff. “He’s always known we’re a package deal, Fabio. You’re the reason I met him.”

“Still.” He scowls. “Why would he want me underfoot?”

“I’m telling you, he wants you there. Family is very important to him. I think he’s nervous to meet you, in case you hate him, but he wants you to live with us. Honestly, when you see his family home, you’ll understand why it’ll work.”

He meets my gaze. “I’m still upset you lied to me.”

I sigh. “I know. I’m… I’m sorry I lied to you.”

He grimaces. “I know you meant well.”

“Yes, I did. All I cared about was keeping you alive.”

We sit there for a while, not speaking. The lounge is quiet. Somewhere down the hall a machine beeps at steady intervals and a therapist counts reps for another patient.

Eventually, he says quietly, “So, once I’m discharged, if I do what you want me to do, I’ll be living in a crime lord’s mansion.” He shakes his head. “I did not see that coming.”

“I didn’t see any of this coming,” I say softly, relieved he’s accepted he should live in Marcello’s home at least temporarily. “But I think it’s actually turning out to be pretty amazing for once. You’re healthy, I’m in love and pregnant, and we don’t have to worry about money anymore.”

He sighs. “Yeah, so long as this alpha of yours doesn’t fuck you over.”