Page 84 of Unravel Me

One thing is certain, though. The moment Jared became Mark's fiancé, Anzo warned Rocco to stay away from him. The Ferguson family had been involved in politics for generations. They had influence, powerful connections throughout the city, and crossing them simply wasn't worth the risk.

Rocco accepted that with obvious frustration and barely restrained rage, so in a strange way I feel relieved that the man who took Jared has enough power to keep him away from Rocco.

Oh, I know my brother all too well. If he fixates on an omega, he almost never lets go. I've seen him show up years later at the home of someone he'd once become obsessed with, simply to remind them that he still considered them his.

That's too important to ignore. I know how Rocco operates, and that knowledge is part of what keeps me hesitant to try to snatch Jared away from Mark. But it also pushes me toward making a decision. I have to find something on Rocco that could become leverage if the right moment ever comes. The only problem is… what could that be?

Rocco isn't sentimental. Nothing seems precious enough that I could threaten to take it away from him. Even so, I refuse to believe he has no weak spot. The question is how I'm supposed to find it.

I watch Mark and Jared spinning across the dance floor, and slowly I can feel doubt creeping into my mind, eroding my hopes, accompanied by a strange, bitter acceptance of my own defeat.

Weakness travels through my limbs like an infection, and I have to brace myself against the hedge just to draw in the soothing, cool energy flowing from nature.

The gentle yet life-giving power emanating from it cradles me within itself, allowing me to quell the feeling of depression, to push away thoughts of ending it all…

I have to learn how to live without him.

Without that dream I never even had the chance to touch. Without that sweet fantasy that could have come true… but was just as likely never meant to happen.

Can I, really, stay away?

My eyes land on my naked forearm. Maybe I can turn this nobody's land into Jared's secret property? The thought of getting a tattoo suddenly crosses my mind, and I can't let it go. In this sentimental way, I could have him, an idea of him, with me at all times.

My phone buzzes again in my pocket.

With a sigh, I pull it out and lift it to my ear.

It's my uncle, Renato.

"Finally, Mauro! I've been trying to reach you. I need to talk to you about something important."

I quickly type into my text-to-speech app, the one I use for phone calls.

"Sorry. It's that omega I told you about… the one I believe may be my True Mate. I'm at his wedding. He's marrying another alpha."

"Holy shit… that's the last place you should be. Do you really want to torture yourself like this?"

Sighing again, I type my reply.

"I need to think everything through. Create a long-term plan. It'll take time, but maybe one day I'll succeed. Hopefully."

There is a silence on the other end of the line, as if Renato is considering what advice he can give me.

"Just remember, Mauro, whatever you do, don't end up hurting Jared in the process."

"I know. I just want to be ready if a window of opportunity ever opens."

Renato's voice changes slightly, becoming more solemn. "Then I think I have an idea that could at least help you build the financial side of that plan. You've been making better money from your underground cage fights lately, and you've already racked up a few wins. You seem more focused these days… am I right?"

I sigh because he's not wrong.

It's because I haven't gotten involved in any flings with omega or beta fighters for the past three months. I've been training with complete focus, and meaningless hookups and emotionless sex are the furthest things from my mind.

For the last two years, I'd filled that empty space in my life with exactly that, but those one-month flings usually brought far more disappointment than happiness. They were drawn to my looks, but I'm not exactly the fun, carefree type who keeps people entertained, so once the initial spark of sexual attraction burned out, there was usually very little left between us.

Renato doesn't wait for my response.

"Whatever you're doing, it seems to be helping your training, and that's a good thing. If you keep winning, you'll start making even more money, and that could build you a solid future. You'll have something valuable to offer Jared, something omegas appreciate, especially the ones who want a family: financial security from their partner."