Page 69 of The Don’s Omega

“I completely understand,” she says breezily.

“Great.” I’m hopeful she’ll run along, but instead she leans closer to Elio.

“He’s always like this,” she whispers to him. “He’s such a possessive alpha. He was the same way with Sandro. Wouldn’t let him out of his sight whenever he brought him here.”

I clench my teeth at the lie. “I don’t believe I ever brought Sandro to this club. We used to go to the yacht club occasionally because he liked sailing. You must be thinking of someone else.”

“Am I?” She frowns, feigning confusion. “I could have sworn you brought Sandro here. Maybe I’m thinking of one of the other omegas you were with.” Her tone is conspiratorial as she turns to Elio. “Marcello was certainly no saint before he met you, Elio.”

Elio shifts uneasily, but says nothing.

“Bianca,” I rumble. “Elio is my husband. I suggest you remember that when you’re speaking to him.”

Her eyes flicker. “Yes. Of course, Marcello. I should have been more careful with my words.”

“Yes, you should have been.”

Her cheeks pink and she turns to Elio. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Elio. That wasn’t my intent.”

Lying bitch.

“It’s okay,” Elio says politely. “I know that Marcello had a life before me.”

“Exactly.” She nods. “That’s really all I meant.”

“We all have pasts, Bianca,” I say pointedly. “I’m sure you’d prefer I didn’t bring up yours. None of us are saints.”

She swallows. “You’re right. None of us are saints.” A tense smile flickers over her features. “Well, have fun you two.”

“Thanks.” My smile is cool.

“Of course.” She drifts back toward the window, giving me an uneasy glance over her shoulder.

“Thank you for getting me out of that,” Elio says under his breath. “Why was she trying so hard to get me alone?”

“She wanted to fill your head with lies.” I rest my hand at the small of his back, steering him toward the veranda doors. “So she could brainwash you against me.”

He wrinkles his brow. “But… you’re the don. Shouldn’t she adore you?”

I laugh. “Many do and plenty don’t. She hates me because I caught her and her husband playing with my money. I had to punish them. She resents me now.”

“I see.” He grimaces. “No, that’s not true. I don’t understand you people at all.”

“How about we forget all that?” We stop near the edge of the clay courts. “Would you rather play doubles tennis or go swimming?”

He bites his bottom lip. “I don’t really want to get in a bathing suit around these people. I still have some bruising on my body from the car accident.”

“Nobody cares about that.”

“I care.” He glances around uneasily. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather play tennis.”

“Whatever you want, Elio.” I give him a reassuring smile. “Have you ever played tennis?”

“Yes. In high school gym class.” His smile is rueful. “I wasn’t the worst one in class, but I also wasn’t the best.”

“I can work with that. Let’s go change into tennis clothes.”

He hesitates. “Uh… I didn’t bring tennis clothes.”