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“Little one, are you calmed down enough for a civil conversation?” I look up to see Darrell coming down the stairs. Dash releases me from the hug, and my feet carry me to Darrell so I can feel the warmth of his body too.
“I’m sorry,” I say as our bodies collide, pressing my cheek to his chest.
He rubs my back. “I know.” When he speaks, I feel his voice vibrate on my cheek. It’s almost like a comfort in itself. I let my head rotate around looking for Colson. Why isn’t he right here to get in on the hugging. “He’s not here,” Darrell says. I look up at him with a furrowed brow. “He had to go home. He can’t stay here all the time. His family has their own rules.”
“I won’t talk until he comes back,” I say, leaning away from Darrell. It doesn’t feel right, having the conversations we need to have without him.
“Okay. Then let me make you some breakfast,” Darrell says, guiding me into the kitchen. I love his cooking, and I could eat everything we own right now. I'm so hungry.
He pulls my chair out and has me sit, placing a kiss on the top of my head before he walks away. Mitch and Dash join me at the table, sitting in their chairs. Both of which are on the other side of mine. Darrell sits at the head of the table, which is to my right. The chair next to me has been Colson’s for as long as I can remember, and my mother used to sit at the opposite end of Darrell. The furthest chair away from him, and that chair has remained empty since she died.
“Can I ask a question?” I ask.
“Of course. Ask any and all questions you want,” Darrell says, rummaging through the fridge.
“My mom. She used to tell me my father was dead. That I didn’t need to know his family. But you said my grandparents left a fortune for my future children. You also said that they were like you guys. I’m assuming that means Alphas?” My eyes flick between the three of them.
Darrell starts cracking eggs into a bowl. “Yes they were both Alphas. It's an uncommon pairing, but when you can’t find your mate, you improvise. They were two Alphas from powerful families, so they married and produced your father.” He clears his throat. “Your mother told me your father died, but your grandparents sent people out to search for him, claiming that he never died. His body was never found, and your mother couldn’t prove he died.” Darrell’s back is to me, but I don’t think he’d lie to me about this.
“I’m sorry. So you’re saying that my biological father could still be alive out there somewhere and not know that I’m out here?” I bring my hand to my head.
“It's a possibility. Your mom said your dad was dead, but before your grandparents died, they were certain he was alive. She could have told him you died and left. I don’t have those answers, little one.” He turns to face me. “I’m sorry. If you’d like, I could try to find out.” The look on his face tells me he knows more or that he’s only telling me half truths.
“No. If he’s alive, he’s had years to find me. Obviously he doesn’t care.” I stare at the wood grain on the table. What else in my life is a lie? I roll my eyes, practically everything I guess.
“Ronni.” Mitch’s hand reaches across the table to touch mine, and I let him. I have no reason to recoil anymore. Everything is upside down.
“So, if my mother knew there was a chance I’d be an Omega then why would she keep me in a house full of Alphas, let alone my possible mates?” I pop my head up to look at Mitch.
“She knew you were safe here. That we’d do everything to keep you safe,” Mitch says softly.
“Safe from what? Why do you need to keep me safe? I’m sure there are other Omegas out there without their mates.” I understand keeping me around if I was possibly their mate, they wouldn’t want to lose that connection.
“From several things. We’ve only scratched the surface with the information we’ve told you. I understand that Colson brought you a book to learn about Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. But it's much more than that. There are powerful families, lesser families. There are schools dedicated to children of powerful families.” I hear the sound of eggs cooking as Darrell talks.
“So the school we go to?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Is a prestigious school for the children of powerful families,” Dash answers.
Like Sadie. They said her dad was the Mafia Alpha. That sounds powerful. But then why do we go there? Darrell works for some company in the city. He’s not a CEO or anything special.
“I can see the gears turning in your head. Spit it out,” Mitch says, lacing his fingers with mine.
“Then why do we go there?” I blurt. Dash laughs, Mitch just smiles, and I hear Darrell cough to hide his laughter. “Well?”
“What do you think Darrell does?” Mitch asks like I should know.
“No fucking clue,” I reply with a shrug.
“I’m The Alpha. The one others turn to when they need things, the one that they come to for help,” he says, opening a package of bacon.
“And that means?” I still don't know what they mean.
“It means he holds all the secrets of the ones around us. He’s more powerful than the Mafia Alpha. Darrell carries the secrets of anyone who’s ever come to him for help,” Mitch adds. “No one will mess with him. To mess with him, means to mess with their dirty laundry. One word from Darrell could end the career of someone, or even their life if the help they asked for was illegal.”
“What happens if you’re caught helping with something illegal?” I ask, turning back to face Darrell.
“Nothing. I hold all the cards. No one will cross me. I have every secret, debt, death, and illegal deals anyone has ever come to me on file. If I die, they get passed to my sons.” I shudder at the thought of him dying. Like a piece of my soul shattering just at the mere thought of him not being here.
