Page 6 of The Don’s Omega

Mama takes a sip of wine and then says, “Well, if you must know, Agostina Albano was mocking our family this morning at Mass.”

“Excuse me?” I rumble. “She mocked us?”

“Yes. She’s subtle about it though.” Mama makes a face. “She said she was sorry for me, Marcello. She actually took my hand as we were leaving the church, looking all weepy on my behalf. She put on quite a performance for the other women.”

I frown. “A performance about what?”

“Our family.” Mama leans toward me. “She said her heart was broken for our family. She also said she’s praying for us. For you, Marcello, in particular.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why would I need that woman’s prayers?”

Mama widens her eyes. “Because you broke up with Sandro.”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” I give a short laugh. “That’s what this is about? What business is that of hers?”

Ginevra rolls her eyes. “Apparently everything you do is of interest to those women, Marcello.”

Mama nods. “Yes, Ginevra is right. You’re all anyone was talking about after Mass. They were all going on and on about what a tragedy it was that you broke things off with Sandro.”

I wrinkle my brow. “I think tragedy is a little dramatic. Is it unfortunate I ended things with Sandro, sure, but it’s not tragic.”

“Are you sad about the breakup?” Noemi asks. She has Mama’s softer features and warm brown eyes rather than the sharp dark ones the rest of us share. Her face shows every emotion she feels, and right now it’s showing concern. “You don’t seem sad but perhaps you’re hiding your pain.”

“I’m not actually in pain. It was unpleasant. Breaking up always is.” I meet Mama’s gaze. “Why do so many people care about my love life? The fact they think I need their prayers is ridiculous. I merely ended my relationship with Sandro. I didn’t contract the plague.”

Mama sighs, looking slightly annoyed. “You did this to yourself by breaking up with Sandro with no warning.”

“I didn’t realize I had to give warning.” I laugh. “It’s my private business.”

“Did you break up because you have another omega in your sights?” Ginevra asks, appearing hopeful.

“No.”

“Damn,” Ginevra hums. “You’re sure there’s no new omega waiting in the wings?”

I scowl. “Yes, I’m sure. Why would that matter?”

Mama sighs. “Agostina Albano is definitely a drama queen, but the problem is she’s not the only one who’s concerned about you being single again, Marcello.”

I huff. “You can’t be serious.”

“Unfortunately, I’m dead serious.” Mama grimaces. “After the service three other women came up to me with the same sad eyes. They too offered their condolences on your break up.”

“Those women are idiots,” I grumble. “I don’t care about their love lives, why do they care about mine?”

Ignoring me, Mama continues. “The worst part was when Lilly Costa, who I actually like, pulled me aside in the parking lot and told me her husband had heard things at the club. That’s when I actually started to get worried.”

“What kind of things?” I go to take a sip of wine but my glass is empty. I don’t remember finishing it.

“People are saying that you’re wobbly,” Mama says.

“In what way have I been wobbly?” I growl. I’ve been working my tail off for my syndicate and have been the complete opposite of wobbly. “I’ve honored Papa and Adriano’s memories. I haven’t lost a single inch of territory or a single dollar of income in the year I have been in this position.”

Mama puts her hand on my arm. “We know that, tesoro. This isn’t about you not working hard enough. It’s about you appearing unsettled.”

“Unsettled, my ass.” I grunt, tugging at the knot of my tie. The collar of my dress shirt feels too tight, but that has nothing to do with the clothes. The idea that people I barely tolerate are sitting around discussing my love life and if I’m wobbly or not makes me want to overturn the table.

“Of course you’ve worked hard,” Ginevra says. “No one works harder than you, brother. Most people know that. But all it takes is for a few rumors of instability to take root and trouble won’t be far behind.”