Page 99 of The Don’s Omega

I’m in the library when he arrives. I’ve been trying for an hour to read the same damn paragraph of a quarterly report from a baseball team I own, when I hear the car outside. My pulse picks up speed as I set the report down and rise. I hear Mama’s voice in the foyer as well as my sisters.

When I enter the vestibule, Elio is being fussed over by my family. He’s distracted so that gives me time to look at him. While he has shadows under his eyes, he looks happy. Relieved. Maybe even glad to be home? There’s stubble along his sharp jaw, and his shirt is wrinkled. His blond hair is mussed, but despite his disheveled appearance, he’s the most beautiful sight.

“Is it possible you’ve lost weight in two days?” Mama is saying, poking at his ribs. “Did you eat? Please tell me you weren’t eating out of vending machines? I should have sent food. Of course you weren’t taking care of yourself. You were worried about your brother.”

Elio looks uncertain of how to respond. He rubs the back of his neck, laughing gruffly. “I ate. The food was pretty good too. Not like typical hospital food.”

Noemi wrinkles her brow. “Mama’s right. You’re definitely skinnier.”

“I don’t think I am,” Elio mumbles, looking down at himself.

“Goodness, leave him alone.” Ginevra rolls her eyes. “He’s not a child. He looks the same to me.” She’s her usual blunt self, but the fact she bothered to greet Elio shows me she actually likes him.

Elio turns his head and when he sees me his face changes. The guarded expression he’s worn for weeks, the coolness, the measured distance, all of it is gone. What’s underneath is tired and warm. He’s glad to see me, and he doesn’t bother hiding it.

“Welcome home,” I say huskily, moving toward him.

“Thanks.” His smile is a little on the shy side.

I give him a quick kiss, and Noemi giggles. Mama nods approvingly, and Ginevra makes a gagging sound.

“Get a room,” Ginevra mutters.

“It was just a peck,” I say, stepping back. “It’s been days since I saw him.”

“Whatever.” Ginevra smirks.

“Ignore her, Elio.” Noemi says, giving our older sister a dirty look. “Ginevra hates love.”

“That’s not true,” Ginevra says. “Love is a wonderful thing. For other people.”

“Come with me, Elio,” Mama says, taking hold of Elio’s arm. “I’ve been cooking all day, hoping you’d come home today. Ornella has the day off, so I made ragu that I only make on special occasions.”

“Sounds great.” Elio smiles.

Noemi takes his other arm and the two of them steer him toward the kitchen. I watch them, amused and relieved at how my family has taken to him. They truly seem to care about Elio and that’s more than I could have asked for.

The kitchen is warm with the scent of my mother’s cooking. The deep smell of tomato, pork, and basil filling the room. The broad stone island is covered in dishes. Fresh bread sits on the counter, and there’s a green salad with oil, lemon, and fresh parmesan.

Mama sits Elio down at the kitchen table. “Would you like some wine?” She doesn’t wait for his response, instead giving Noemi a look that sends her to fetch a bottle of red wine.

The kitchen table is set for all of us and we each take a seat. I sit beside Elio because I need to touch him. The minute I sit, I put my hand on his thigh and he smiles at me. I’m so happy he’s not being cold to me anymore, I’m over the moon.

Mama sets large bowls of pasta and salad on the table, along with a basket of fresh bread. We all pile our plates with the delicious food. Even Elio takes a nice large portion, which earns him an approving look from Mama.

Despite saying he’d eaten at the hospital, Elio’s appetite is big. He answers Noemi and Mama’s questions about Fabio’s condition between bites. From what Elio is saying, it seems that Fabio is doing fantastic. It’s a relief because if anything had gone wrong, I’m not sure Elio would have been able to handle it.

I don’t say much, instead focused on the food and the feel of Elio’s thigh under my palm. Elio’s home where he belongs, and my inner alpha is at peace. Touching him soothes me in a way nothing else could.

Noemi pours him more wine and he accepts it happily. He looks content and lighter, his cheeks pink from the wine. We look at each other every few minutes, his green eyes finding mine. His gaze lingers on my mouth with an intensity I haven’t seen in a while.

My heart thumps happily because I know he wants me. I can see how happy he is to be with me again. I’m determined never to lose his trust again, although I’m not sure how I lost it in the first place. Everything seemed great, and then it just… wasn’t. I’ll need to tread carefully with him until I understand what I did wrong.

When at last he’s had his fill of wine and pasta, he rises. “I hope you don’t think I’m rude if I go to bed early.” He smiles at my family. “I want to stay longer and visit, but I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open.”

“Don’t be silly.” Mama hugs him, smiling warmly. “We understand completely. You go sleep. Tomorrow you’ll want to go visit your brother again. You need rest.”

“Yes.” Noemi nods, also giving him a hug. “If you need anything you know just to ask, right?”