Chapter 52
(TYLER)
Angelo’s eyes flutter. “Of course not,” he says uneasily. “Let’s keep it as you said. It’s better if they don’t find out about the things they don’t need to know. What you should know is I’m still more qualified than Sasha. The position belongs to me and I will still take it as head of the Triple Triads p>
I scoff. “I’d give up if I were you. It’s done, Angelo. Sasha has already won p>
His jaw hardens. “Not for long Tyler. Wait and see. I’ll give you one last chance to change your mind. I mean…I would love to fuck you some time. You were always fun. We could work out something nice if you just stopped being so adamant p>
I shake my head. “No, thank you.” He must be really dumb to think we aren’t aware of his plans to embarrass Sasha before other syndicates. Even so, his remarks still make my skin crawl. Of all the alphas I’ve ever met, he is the vilest. He makes Sasha look subtle. “I’ll stick with my husband p>
His eyes narrow. “Don’t be dumb, Tyler. Don’t you see I’m offering you protection? It can’t be official though because I’m already married. You should be smart and make a wise choice now because things will soon get ugly, and Sasha won’t stick by you any longer p>
“Make an effort to please me, Tyler. Treat me right and I promise I’ll make sure that I take care of you. You can be my little side piece. You’ll never even run out of drugs. I’ll get them for you whenever you want p>
People turn to us and it I then that I notice his voice has gone a notch too high. They glance at us and their conversations falter. I feel their gaze piercing as they strain to overhear our conversation.
“Fuck off with your drugs,” I hiss. “I don’t want them. And I will never, ever let you touch me again. Wake up from that dream of yours of ever touching me again p>
I’m startled when a hand slides over my back and grabs my waist. It’s Sasha.
“There you are, Tyler p>
Angelo jeers. “Oh, this is sweet,” he forces a smile, “What a picture of the wedded couple p>
Heat rushes to my face and Sasha laughs. “Are you jealous, brother?” he says smugly. “Did your wife Aaliyah not accompany you? It’s a shame that she’d miss out on such an important day p>
“She… she wasn’t feeling well.” Angelo sounds peevish.
Sasha snickers. “Or maybe she just doesn’t want to be seen in public with a community sperm donor. I heard she caught you with a prostitute a few days ago p>
“I’m actually surprised that you’d listen to that nonsense. Did you know you’ve been subject to the same rumours of late p>
“Now, have I?” Sasha smiles sheepishly. “Enlighten me p>
“Oh, I will, brother. I sure will.” His eyes spark maliciously as he steps back and claps his hands in the air. “Can I have everyone’s attention please p>
“Oh hell no,” I whisper moving closer to Sasha. “He’s really going to do it, isn’t he?” the thought of being paraded and becoming the centre of attention in this sea of people doesn’t sit right with me. The mark begins to throb as fear overrides me.
Sasha looks at his brother silently as he summons the crowd. “This is rather awkward,” Angelo begins, “Obviously seeing Sasha as my family and this day being such an important one to us. It doesn’t thrill me one bit to do what I’m about to do p>
“Asshole,” I curse silently.
Sasha’s clutch around my waist tightens but he doesn’t say a word still.
“What are you up to, Angelo?” Lucia asks from a few feet away. She knows our marriage is fake and she is in on the arrangement from the beginning, but I doubt that she knows Angelo’s plans to embarrass Sasha in front of the syndicates.
Angelo fakes a woeful face. “Mother, it pains me that even you and Jericho were in on this plan I’m about to bring to light p>
“What the hell are you talking about?” Lucia looks bewildered. “What plans p>
Angelo shakes his head. “Oh, come on, mother. “You know that the three of you went behind my back and conspired to rob me of my rightful position as heir and head of the Triple Triad Syndicate. Four in fact, if you count Tyler p>
The crowd breaks into loud murmurs.
Jericho stands beside his mother, balling his hands into fists. “Have you lost your mind, Angelo p>
“Father warned me that this could happen. But I loved my adoptive family so much that I chose to trust them. I didn’t believe him. I just didn’t see how true it was that they’d all resent the thought of me being his successor p>
“Father wanted Sasha to take charge from the beginning, not you.” Jericho grates.
“No? Father always saw Sasha as too young, immature and reckless. He was too jumpy. Why do you think he brought me into the family p>
“You were young when you were brought in. I doubt Father even had that in mind then.” Sasha says.
“You were weak even as a child,” Angelo grates. “You’ve never shown a sign of leadership. I guess you were just born weak p>
“Say that again and I’ll rip your tongue out of your mouth.” Sasha’s voice frightens me, and I stiffen.
“I was always father’s backup plan. As the years went by, he grew more and more worried that Sasha couldn’t step into the role p>
Sasha snickers. “Your story is so far-fetched, brother p>
Angelo ignores Sasha and continues. “When father became ill, he knew that Sasha wasn’t ready to step into his shoes. He knew beyond doubt that Sasha wasn’t ready. He only hoped that when he passed, Sasha would be mature enough and settled down, but when he found out that his health took a turn for the worst, he confided in me and asked me for help p>
“What sort of help?” a strained voice of a woman comes through the crowd.
“He asked me to take over from him as head of the Triple Triads p>
A loud unified gasp echoes through the room.
“You’re a liar, Angelo.” Jericho blurts out. “Father would have never asked that of you p>
Angelo nods, satisfied that the crowd is buying his story. “Believe me, it was very painful for him when he asked me. He however gave Sasha a last chance. At his men’s urging, he told Sasha that if he could claim an Omega before he died, then he would reconsider his stance p>
“And didn’t Sasha claim an omega?” Lucia asks, disgusted. “Are you so desperate for attention that you’d pull such a stunt on the day we laid Father to rest? Causing unnecessary drama, why p>
Angelo flushes visibly. “No mother. I’m not seeking any attention. I’m only defending my rightful position as head of the Triple Triads. Just like father wanted.” His attention turns to the crowd. “It was clear that Sasha didn’t want to claim an omega. It’s common knowledge. No matter how many times father pleaded with him, he still refused p>
“You aren’t making any sense, Angelo.” Jericho lets out a confused laugh. “Sasha claimed an omega, and he is in this very room p>
“Did he though?” Angelo sneers.