Page 154 of The Don’s Omega

“Maybe, but mine almost got me and the baby killed.”

His eyes are filled with empathy, not anger. “The important thing is you’re both okay. That’s really all that matters.”

I study him, searching for some hidden resentment. “Why aren’t you mad at me?”

His laugh is sheepish. “I was mad. I was furious when I first heard you’d left the estate without Dante. I was ready to wring your neck.”

“Oh.”

“But once I calmed down, I tried to look at things through your eyes. It’s your nature to try and fix everything for everyone. You spent most of your adult life looking after Fabio. Trying to control things so he didn’t get hurt. You got yourself into trouble with Salvatore by trying to fix things for me too.” He shrugs. “Because you love me. How can I be mad at you for loving me?”

I feel so grateful he understands me. “I do love you, Marcello. I love you so much.”

“And I love you,” he says simply leaning in to give me a gentle kiss.

When the kiss ends, I hesitate. I want to ask him about what he did to Salvatore, but I’m almost afraid to hear his answer. But I need to know if the older alpha is still out there plotting. “What… what happened to Salvatore?”

“He’s alive, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“That’s… surprising.” I’m not sure if I’m relieved or not. It’s hard to forgive a man who tried to kill me and my unborn child. “You decided to spare his life?”

“I did.”

“If I’m honest, I’m not sure what to feel about that,” I say softly. “Part of me is glad, and part of me hates him for what he did to me.”

“Yes. I… I understand. It wasn’t an easy decision to spare him, but there was a lot Salvatore didn’t know surrounding Cristiano’s death. My father didn’t want him to know the truth. That ignorance is why he plotted to hurt you and the baby.”

“What didn’t he know?” I frown.

“That Cristiano volunteered to take Adriano’s place in prison.”

I widen my eyes. “Cristiano volunteered for that?”

“Yes. My father didn’t force Cristiano into anything, as Salvatore thought he had. Now that he knows the truth, I don’t believe he’ll be a danger to you or our baby.”

“But, why would Cristiano have done that?”

Marcello grimaces. “To make his father proud.”

“Oh, God,” I say softly. “That’s almost worse for Salvatore.”

“Which is why my father didn’t want him to know. I’m sure Father never imagined Salvatore would seek revenge against our family. That was probably short-sighted of him. What man wouldn’t want revenge against the people who were responsible for the death of their child?”

“Especially in this violent world.”

“Yes. Trust me, it wasn’t my first instinct to spare his life.” Marcello’s jaw clenches. “I can’t forgive Salvatore for trying to murder you and our child. I only spared his life because that’s what my father would have wanted.”

“You’re sure he believed you?” I ask nervously. “Because if he didn’t, he might still try and hurt me and the baby again.”

“His eldest daughter knows the truth about what happened. I’m sure he’ll believe her. She would have no reason to lie to him now that I’ve admitted the truth. She only held her tongue because it was what my father wanted. I’m sure she had no idea what he was planning.”

“What an awful mess.” I grimace. “And all because your father was trying to be kind to his friend.”

“No good deed goes unpunished.” He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses the bruised knuckles, one by one. He puts his hand on the baby bump, and his expression is very serious as he says, “We were lucky, Elio. It all could have gone so horribly wrong.”

“Yes,” I whisper, placing my hand over his. “I… I promise to listen to you from now on.”

He smiles. “I won’t hold my breath.”