Whispers of Hope- Book # 3 (Mated Hearts Series) Complete

Chapter 22 (Zach)

“Whispers of Hope”

2011 © All Rights Reserved

Chapter 22 (Zach)

What is taking so long? I asked myself irritably.  It has been over twenty minutes that I have been patiently sitting in this kitchen waiting for my mate and her farther.  The only reason that I abided Russo’s command was an attempt at showing him respect.  He was my mates father and I was determined to honor that little fact no matter how much it graded on my everlasting nerves.

Standing up I started to pace the kitchen.  Five minutes, I would only give them five more minutes before going back into that living room to claim my mate.  Just knowing that creep, Sergio, is in the same room with her leaves my wolf  itching to shed his skin and rightfully claim what was his.  It would be a cold day in hell before I let that man anywhere near my Marissa, my mate.

The waiting.  The waiting is what was driving me insane.  Jerking the chair back from the table I slumped back into the seat.  Three minutes.  Three more minutes and not a second longer before I went back in there, Daddio or not.   

One. Two. Three.  I silently counted before saying to hell with it, “Missy!” I called out to her through our mind link.  I couldn’t wait any longer without some sort of contact with my mate. Taking a deep breath I stared at the door waiting for an answer or to see her walk through it.  

Nada.

“Missy” I pushed out once again losing that last little strand of patience that I was so desperately clinging too.

Still nothing.  No response, not even a mental touch.

This was not going to happen like this.  Stalking towards the door I shoved it open with more force than necessary and came to an immediate halt when I entered the living room.  My mate was lying on the floor and that mutt was touching her, rubbing his mangy hands across her face while she was passed out cold.  Right then and there I vowed that Sergio Conti was going to die a very slow and painful death if it was the last thing that I ever did.

“Don’t even think about it” Antonio Russo warned from beside me.  His order was filled with power that even I couldn't help but to shrink back from. 

Not taking my eyes off of my mate I tightened my fist by my sides and directed my next words to Mr. Russo.

“She is my mate, fully claimed in every way.  He has two seconds to remove his hands from her before I rip them from his body”.  I said each word clearly and filled it with my own Alpha authority and I sincerely meant every word.

“She is not your mate” Mr. Russo said surely.

It was then that I turned to the side and for the first time really looked at the man.  He was tall, but no taller than me and if he had been anyone else I would have taken him down in an instant.  Problemo Uno was merely the undeniable fact the he was still my mates father whether I liked it or not.

“I’ll be damned” I stated glaring at the man in question.  “What’s done is done, the fates have decided and I will not let you interfere”.  As I spoke I slowly started to close the distance between us.  I refused to back down or show weakness in any way.  My future, my wife’s future and the future of my own whelps were at stake.  There was no room for any weakness in this situation.

Mr. Russo eyes widened with my boldness.  It was evident that he was not used to being challenged.  He quickly masked his emotions and met me toe to toe.

“You have no choice” he bit out between gritted teeth.  

The vein in his temple was throbbing at a frantic pace  and I could smell the sheen of sweat that was visible on his brow.  The all mighty Mr. Antonio Russo was starting to show some signs of his own weaknesses whether he knew it or not.