Page 56 of The Don’s Omega

I take his hands. “I know that too.”

He blinks at me, tears glittering in his lashes. “You do?”

“Yes.” I study him. I know when he’s performing and when he’s not. Right now, every ounce of polish has been stripped away and what’s left is genuine terror for his mother. “I know that Valentina planned the whole thing alone.”

Relief breaks across his face, but only for a second before it’s swallowed by more fear. Because believing he wasn’t involved and sparing his mother are two different conversations entirely.

“What are you going to do?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “I know what I should do.”

He shudders. “I… I know that you have every right to punish her. She was insane to think that going after Elio was the right move. She loves me too much. She saw that I was… broken-hearted.” His cheeks pink. “And she went nuts. But never in a million years did I think she’d do anything like that.”

“No,” I murmur. “Me neither.”

“She wasn’t in her right mind. She knows what she did was wrong. Can’t you maybe show her m… mercy?” he whispers, dread in his voice. He was with me long enough to know the kind of man I am. How merciless I can be.

I study him, trying to think logically and not be swayed by his emotions. “Sandro, even if she regrets what she tried to do, she needs to be punished. I can’t just let this go. I’m sure you know that.”

“Yes. I… I do know that.” He bows his head, studying our clasped hands. He hesitates and looks up to meet my gaze. “But I am begging you, Marcello, if you ever cared about me at all, will you please spare her life?” His eyes are big and imploring. “Maybe she deserves to die, but…” his voice breaks. “She’s my mother.”

As hard-hearted as I can be, I feel pity for Sandro. However, I also remember when Carlo called me and told me what had happened. For about ten seconds, I thought that Elio was dead. I’d been devastated at the thought of him gone forever. Whether the emotions were so strong because of the bite or something else, I have no idea. All I know is those few moments when I’d thought I’d lost Elio forever still haunt me.

“What would you do if you were me?” I ask. “Your mother didn’t just pilfer money from me. She went out of her way to hire a man to murder my husband, Sandro. What do you think is a fair punishment for something that horrific?”

“God, I don’t know.” He lets out a shaky breath, and his hands tighten on mine. “She did an unforgivable thing, I’m not arguing that she didn’t. Still, I’m asking you to forgive her anyway. Whatever punishment you want, short of her death, whatever it costs my family, please let her live. If you want me to leave the city, I will. I’ll resign from the businesses. I’ll disappear. Whatever you want, Marcello. Just… just please don’t kill my mother.” He sounds like a little kid.

There’s no denying I feel empathy for my ex-lover, but there’s more to consider as well. My hesitation isn’t only because I’m fond of Sandro. As the head of the Foschini syndicate, there’s a lot more at stake than just Sandro’s feelings. The reality is killing Valentina could start a war. It destabilizes alliances. It gives every ambitious family an opening. A reason to come after me.

Maybe Valentina knew that and thought that would allow her to get away with her actions. Or maybe she wasn’t thinking at all. Maybe she simply wanted revenge on me for dumping her son and marrying another omega. It’s hard to say what was going through her head. But whatever her reasons, I can’t pretend it didn’t happen.

“If she were anyone else, she’d already be dead,” I rumble.

He winces. “Yes, I know.”

I hold his pleading gaze. “But… out of respect for you, Sandro, I’ll spare your mother’s life.”

“Oh, God.” Sandro’s breath leaves him in a shudder. “Thank you, Marcello.”

“However,” I say quietly. “There must be consequences for what she did. Attempting to assassinate my omega is one of the most indefensible things she could have done.”

“Yes, I understand and I completely agree.” Fear shimmers in his eyes and he looks as if he’s bracing himself. “What… what will you do to my family?”

“The punishment needs to be as serious as your mother’s transgression.” I stand and he rises too, his expression strained.

“Of course.”

I cross my arms, holding is worried gaze. “The port contracts are now mine. All of them. Effective immediately. Your family’s shipping routes, warehouse leases, customs contacts. Everything you run through the harbor now belongs to the Foschini syndicate.”

He visibly flinches, jaw clenching. He knows what that means. A third of the Lucchese income, gone overnight. It’s a devastating blow for his family’s pride and finances.

“Do you think I’m being too harsh?” I ask softly, narrowing my eyes.

He shakes his head immediately. “No. Of course not. I completely understand and accept that the punishment needs to be severe.”

I study him looking for any hint of resentment. “Are you sure about that? What I’m proposing will be a huge financial hit for your family. Stripping the ports from your family will be embarrassing for you as well.”

He nods, but then whispers, “I’m simply grateful my mother won’t be killed.”