Lola & the Millionaires: Part One (Sweet Omegaverse #2)(104)

“Well, Santoro. You’re family now. You could put a Hilton on this property, and they’d probably only downgrade you to cousin instead of adopted son,” David said, pulling away.

I waved out the back window to the small couple under the tiny front light over the door. “That would be a horrible waste. I don’t blame them for wanting to keep this place private. It seems like a shame to bulldoze it just for a hotel.”

“Mm, the house needs work,” David allowed.

“It could be renovated. The bones could be kept,” Leo said to him.

David’s eyebrows bounced. “Are you getting sentimental? Aren’t you here for the sake of a resort?”

“I’m here for the potential of the property,” Leo said carefully.

I slipped my arms over Leo’s shoulders, scooting forward so I could rest my chin on Leo’s shoulder. “It should be a home.”

“If it were owned privately, I know there are other salt farmers on the island that might add the pans to their roster,” David said, smile growing sly.

“This seems like a setup,” Leo muttered, turning to butt his forehead against my temple. “Did that adorable elderly couple put you up to this?”

“You mean Mama and Papa Grech?” I asked, grinning. “I’m sure they would’ve if I’d picked up the language faster. Maybe your firm can think of a better use for the place than just a hoity-toity resort?”

“Hmm, maybe.” Leo kissed my cheek and I sank back, mildly victorious and leaning to the window to watch the stars go by.





I woke up the next morning to a warm breeze coming in from our vast hotel balcony and the slight chink of china as Leo set a cup of coffee down on the nightstand. He climbed over me, bundling me into his arms, the sheets rumpled and barely covering my breasts.

“I arranged us a late check-out, so we have plenty of time,” Leo said, kissing the shell of my ear.

I shivered and nodded. “Thas’ nice.”

“There’s…there’s something I want to talk to you about while it’s just us,” he added.

I stiffened in his arms and Leo kissed the corner of my jaw. That sounded like serious talk, and yesterday had been so…so easy. Like I was able to be myself, totally forgetting about everything that came before, free of all the drama and the memories.

“It’s not bad, gorgeous,” Leo said, kissing the same spot again. “I just wanted to say something before someone else did, I guess.”

I wiggled and he loosened his hold, letting me roll to face him. “Still ominous, Leo.”

“Right. Sorry,” he said, grimacing. “Okay, so…Lola, I think you need to reconcile yourself to the idea that…”

I held my breath and forced myself to keep my eyes on him and not cry.

Leo sighed and finished, a soft smile curling on his lips. “The idea that the pack is going to want you to stay. To be one of us.”

A bird called from the hotel courtyard, and a woman laughed down in the pool. A breeze kissed my back while I waited for Leo’s words to sort themselves out in my head.

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m talking about you being a part of the pack, Lola.”

I scooted backward and leaned over the side of the bed, reaching for my nightshirt. This kind of conversation warranted clothes.

“Leo, that’s so…why would I—” I wrestled into the shirt and then flipped my hair off my face, finding Leo sitting up cross-legged in the middle of the bed.

He reached for my hand, and I could tell he was fighting laughter now. “Lola, Rake adores you. I’ve never seen Matthieu so happy in all the time I’ve been with the pack, and I… Lola, gorgeous, I love you.”

Oh, thank god.

“Hey, there’s that smile I’ve been waiting for,” Leo said, grinning.

It faltered almost immediately, and Leo frowned in answer. “This can’t work,” I whispered, throat squeezing and eyes stinging.

“Lola,” Leo said slowly, cautioning me. “I know that ugliness in your head that says this can’t be for you, but please, just give yourself a chance to believe in it a little bit.”

“What happens when Matthieu doesn’t want me anymore?” I ask, dread coiling like a viper in my gut.

“You don’t know that’s what will happen. Even then, it’s not gonna change how I feel. Or how Rake feels,” Leo said.

“That’s Rake’s alpha. Or what if it’s Rake who loses interest? Leo, your pack doesn’t need me.”

“Lola, you were there for Rake’s heat. That’s not for outsiders, that’s not how packs work, not even ours. His needing you there was as good as a declaration. And the way Caleb and Cyrus responded was just further proof.” Leo held up a hand to stop my next refusal. “Okay, listen. This is what I mean. I need you to give yourself a little hope on this idea, gorgeous. I know you’re trying to protect yourself. I’ve been there, believe me. But this can’t happen if you won’t let it.”

I sighed and drew my knees up under the blanket, folding myself into a tight ball and lowering my head, trying to listen to his words. Except just one part kept ringing over and over in my head.

Fuck.

I looked up and saw the lines of stress digging into Leo’s forehead, the frustration pressing his lips together, and the worry in his gaze. That was my fault, and I’d jumped into the conversation at entirely the wrong angle.