Vincenzo

Orsino came jogging into the conference room Lorenzo and I were in, waving a piece of paper. “I’ve got news.” It appeared as if he had run all the way through the house. A sweat had broken out on his brow.

My brother and I both looked up, waiting not-so-patiently for him to spill it. There were rumors of the Dombrusos being close to making a move, so all our buildings were on heightened security. If this had to deal with them, then I supposed I understood the urgency, even if I had been hoping for news about Eric.

It wasn’t clear in any of our reports what the Dombrusos’ end game was or what sort of move they were making, just that Vince had been rallying his allies and making calls to independent contractors–mercenaries.

I was beginning to suspect the man was all talk and no action. Lorenzo wasn’t so quick to dismiss him.

Part of me was grateful that Eric wasn’t around in case Vince Dombruso did make good on his threats, but not knowing for sure if he was safe was killing me. Especially if he was carrying my baby, which Dominic confirmed he was.

Fuck, I needed him home and safely in my arms where I could keep an eye on him. Sleep never came easily for me, and more than once I had found myself in the dead of the night walking to his room in the omega quarters. So many of his things had been left behind. Even the overgrown pothos plant I’d bought for him.

Lorenzo had a guard stationed outside of Dominic’s room at all times. The poor kid hated being followed, but he was minutes away from popping out that baby, so it really couldn’t be avoided.

We’d had a hospital room set up for him to give birth in the safety of our home, rather than risk going to the hospital.

“Well, what the fuck is it?” Lorenzo was not in the mood for games. He checked his phone every five seconds to see if Dominic had texted. He just wanted to be done with the birthing process so he could finally stop worrying about that part. Dominic was still a few weeks out from his due date, but it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that the baby would come early.

I told Lorenzo the worrying wasn’t gonna stop once the baby was outside of his omega, but he seemed to think it would be better. The poor guy was clueless.

Orsino slipped a piece of paper across the varnished table and it fluttered to a stop in front of me. “For you, Brother.”

“What’s this?” I picked it up and saw a scribbled address.

“That’s where your boy is. Just got a call from Bart Roman. Remember him? He was Dad’s primary guard for a long time, but he retired out in some little podunk town a while back. His wife wanted him to have a safer job, so he’s a sheriff now.”

I nodded and urged him to continue by waving my hand.

“Apparently, a cute little omega with a baby bump has been living there for the past few months. That address is where he is staying. If he’s not there, he’ll be at the local market, working. I guess there’s only one, so you can’t miss it.”

I stared at the paper and memorized the address before looking up at Lorenzo. All my emotions were laid out on my face, pleading for him to let me go. I wasn’t just the right-hand man of the leader of one of the most powerful crime families. I was just an alpha desperately hoping to find his omega.

He just shook his head with a wry smile and sighed. “Go. Just get him back here quickly so you can finally focus. And maybe that’ll help Dominic calm the fuck down.”

Dominic didn’t seem to have any issues remaining calm, that was all Lorenzo, but I wasn’t about to say that.

I gave Orsino a half hug on my way out. “Thank you, man. We’ll be back tonight or tomorrow.”

It would only take a couple hours to get there, and I wasn’t leaving without my family.

I grabbed Davy and Trev. Davy had become one of the best members of my guard, and Trev could use some experience out in the world. We made our way to the garage to find whatever vehicle we would be taking on this journey.

"Your omega isn't gonna mind if I keep you for a day or two, will he?” I asked Davy.

“You know he won't." Davy rolled his eyes with an indulgent smile on his face. “He’s a sucker for hopeless romance stories.”

“Hey, now. It’s not hopeless.”

Since our little trip together, I had met his omega twice. He and Eric would get along well. He was the sweet sort but didn't put up with any guff. He definitely kept Davy on his toes.

"How do we know for sure that this isn't some sort of ambush?” Trev asked.

“Orsino did his due diligence. He did a quick background check on the sheriff and the area. It is not on Dombruso’s radar. Roman used to work as a part of my father’s guard. We trust him. Apparently, he didn't want to give out any information until he knew what we were gonna do with Eric.”

“Just calling us gave away his location." Davy shook his head. “He had to know that.”

"Nope, he actually wouldn't give Orsino any information until he found out what we wanted Eric for. He called from a secure, untraceable line.”

“Interesting.” Trev crossed his arms over his chest. "And what did Orsino tell him?"

"That Eric was mine and we wanted to bring him home, that he was part of this family." I had made no secret of the fact that I was looking for Eric and that I wanted him home. News had obviously reached outside our walls if the sheriff knew to call us.

The only part of the story that remained secret was the pregnancy. Only myself, Lorenzo, and Orsino knew about that. Even Davy, as close as we had become, didn't know.

"I'll drive," I said. "Davy, look up everything you can about this town we're going to. Trev, study the maps so we know our way around town and can make a quick exit if we need to.”

"Sure thing, boss," Davy said.

I kept it under the speed limit. I didn't have the desire to get myself arrested and then have to explain that away. Time seemed to crawl, making the two-hour drive feel like an eternity.

Every time I tried to focus on what I would say to Eric, the words wouldn’t come. I should have let someone else drive so I could write out a speech rather than memorize one.

Best I could come up with was “please” and “I’m sorry.” I doubted that was gonna be good enough.

The town we arrived in was quaint. The streets were lined with old-fashioned lamp posts that held banners advertising some upcoming festival. There were park benches and flowerpots adorning the sidewalk. It was a cute little place where a single omega would be safe. Eric picked well.

I parked at the grocery store and took in my surroundings.

"This is where Eric has been hiding?” Davy slipped his hands in his pockets and looked around.

“Apparently." I could almost feel him nearby.

Trev crossed his arms over his chest and looked up one end of the street and then the other. "Should we meet with the sheriff first?"

I exhaled and took a step forward. "No. I want to find Eric. If he’s not working, we’ll head to the boarding house he’s been staying at.”

Davy leaned over and spoke directly to me, less as my guard and more as a friend. "And what exactly are we gonna say to him in this very public space?"

Trev pulled out a gun, checking the clip.

"Put that away." I gestured for him to stow it before he caused a scene. "We're not gonna force him anywhere. I just need to talk to him."

Trev sighed and tucked the gun back in the holster. "It would be easier just to force him and you can talk to him once we’re out of here and can control the environment.”

He wasn’t wrong, but this situation called for slightly more finesse than that. I scrubbed a hand over my face and chuckled. “Damn, good luck to the omega who catches your eye, Trev. You catch more flies with honey."