Page 9 of The Don’s Omega

Mama grimaces. “Yes. Now when they look at you, they don’t see the next thirty years of the Foschini name. They see a question mark.”

“Exactly,” Ginevra agrees. “And men like Salvatore Marchetti don’t put their money behind question marks. They put it behind a sure thing, and right now, in their eyes, you’re not that, brother.”

I scowl. “The idea I have to jump through hoops for these assholes is aggravating. I never even wanted this position. Adriano was born for this stuff as the oldest. It was supposed to be his role, not mine. Now he’s gone and I’m stuck trying to please men I barely respect just to hold onto something I never asked for in the first place.”

Mama’s face is grim. “But you accepted the position, Marcello. And now you need to do what it takes to hold onto the position. Not just for yourself, but for our safety as well.”

My stomach churns because she’s not wrong. If I fail, the family fails. That could mean death if the wrong person steps into the position. “What do you think I should do, Mama?”

“I think you know what you need to do.” Her gaze is stern. “You need an omega, Marcello. And a child. ASAP. The elders want to see that you have a plan for the future, and nothing will shut down the chatter faster than a claimed omega and an heir on the way.”

I wince. “Mama, that’s easier said than done. I told you, I don’t want to breed with any of the powerful families. They’re too greedy. Grasping. I refuse to be under their thumb.”

“There is a way to give them what they want without losing our power.” She puts her warm hand over mine. “But you must be openminded.”

“Okay, I’m listening.” I’m willing to hear her out. I’m no fool. Mama is perceptive. Connected. If Mama is nervous about something, there’s a reason to be nervous.

“There’s a man,” she says quietly. “His name is Kessler.”

I frown. “Kessler?”

Ginevra’s head comes up. “The fixer Kessler?”

Mama nods. “Yes.”

Ginevra looks uneasy. “Isn’t he a little shady?”

Mama lifts one slender shoulder. “What he does is unorthodox, but I wouldn’t call it shady.”

“Who is this guy?” I ask, looking between them. “I’ve never heard of him.”

“You wouldn’t have.” Mama smiles. “He operates under the radar. He discreetly helps connect omegas with powerful alphas who want a child without complications.”

I laugh gruffly. “Is he a pimp?”

“God no.” Mama’s cheeks pink. “He arranges actual contract marriages between omegas and alphas. The omegas are officially claimed by the alphas, and in turn, the omegas give the alphas the heirs they need.”

“How is that any different from me just claiming Sandro?”

Mama makes an impatient sound. “The omegas Kessler recruits have no connections to powerful families. That’s the whole point. These omegas are usually alone in the world. You don’t have to deal with buttinsky in-laws because the omegas have no one. The omegas Kessler contracts are often down on their luck. Some need a home. Some need money. Some need protection. Each contract is different and you two decide the terms. The one thing that’s always true is the arrangement must be mutually beneficial to both parties.”

“Huh.” I rub my jaw. “I like the idea of no in-laws.”

Mama smiles. “I figured you would. And Kessler has been doing this for over a decade. When a powerful alpha needs an heir, but they don’t want the family dynamic that comes with claiming a well-connected omega, they turn to Kessler.”

“How have I never heard of Kessler?” I scowl.

Mama pushes her plate away and presses her napkin to her mouth. “That’s how Kessler prefers it. He picks his clients very carefully. He doesn’t accept every alpha who asks either. But I have no doubt he’d be thrilled to help out the head of the Foschini syndicate.”

“This is the strangest idea I’ve ever considered.” I laugh. “I have omegas throwing themselves at me all the time. Yet, I’m thinking of hiring some strange, down on his luck, omega to carry my child?”

“Contracts keep things neater,” Ginevra says.

Mama studies me. “You’d have to think carefully about what you want your contract to look like.”

I frown. “Meaning what?”

Ginevra answers before Mama can. “I’d guess things like how many kids do you expect the omega to give you. Do you want to live together or have separate homes. Do you require monogamy from your omega, or do you both want to be free to satisfy your… er… needs outside of the relationship?”