Chapter Text
Angel stormed upstairs to his and Molly's shared room and flung himself onto his bed.
"Did the date not go well?" Molly asked, looking up from the embroidery she was working on by the light of the oil lamp.
"It went fine." Angel said shortly, trying to control the anger and shame that was boiling up in him.
"So you're sulking because the date went well? Come on Tone, I know you better than that."
Angel huffed a laugh.
"You do know me, don't you?" He turned his head to look at her. "He picked me up in this nice little breezer, we went out for dinner and I thought it was going super well until dinners over. Ya know what this prick said ta me Molls?"
"What did he say Tone?" She had put her embroidery down now and was paying him her full attention.
"Said I was a pretty face but he was looking for a male Omega that wasn't so much like a dame! That he only agreed to tha date cause of who pops is! Can ya believe that!" Angel's eyes were wet and he had to bite his lip to stop the tears from falling.
"Oh Tone." Molly moved over to his bed and wrapped her arms around her big brother. "He's an idiot! I hope you told him exactly where he could stick it!"
"Yeah I did! Kicked him there too and walked all the way home! No one drives me anywhere after an insult like that! No one!" Angel buried his face in his sister's neck, his tears finally breaking free.
Molly rubbed his back soothing, worrying her lips as she tried to think of something to say to comfort her twin.
"There is someone out there that will see all of you Tony, and want you for that and that alone. Don't let him make you feel less than perfect, okay?"
Angel sniffled and pulled away from her, nodding his head.
"You're right, you're always right. I just get so damn frustrated ya know? All these Alphas and not a single one wants me for me! I'm such a fuck up Molls. Couldn't be the Alpha pops wanted like 'Niss and I can't even be the right kinda male Omega neitha..."
Molly cupped his cheek and made him look at her.
"Antonio Angelo Ragni, you are not a fuck up. You're an amazing, wonderful, gorgeous Omega and any of those bozos aughta be lucky to even look at you." She said stoutly.
Angel gave a wet giggle.
"Yeah sure Molls. Whateva you say..."
"I'm serious Tone! Any Alpha would be lucky to have you! And you're going to find them! I promise!"
"Thanks sis." He gave her a watery smile and sighed as he caught sight of himself in the mirror on the far wall. His makeup was ruined, his eye shadow had run and the red lipstick he had applied carefully had been bitten off and was smeared over his lips. "God, look at me, I look a mess... Imma take a shower. See you in the morning."
Molly watched him gather up a nightgown and some panties and head into the bathroom they shared. She was glad her brother was able to keep his spirits up, but she was worried about him.
••❣••
Angel wasn't a typical male Omega. He knew that.
Where most had androgynous features, with slender but leanly muscled bodies and slim hips with small breasts that only swelled when they were nursing pups, Angel was a very feminine Omega.
His features were soft, delicate and beautiful. His body was all curves, with the same big breasts she had, wide child bearing hips and a tiny waist with plush thighs and shapely calves.
He was the epitome of the female Omegas, save for the small, pretty cock just above his cunt nestled between his thighs.
It had never really bothered Angel that he was like this, until he had started dating.
Alphas didn't want him.
The ones who loved the way he looked, backpedaled so fast they left dust when they realized he was a 'man' and the Alphas interested in male Omegas weren't interested in one who looked so feminine. Strangers called him 'miss' and 'lady' on the street.
It didn't help that he loved being girly.
He loved his hair, styled into a beautiful wavy bob. He loved the dresses and skirts and heels that hugged his curves, making his already shapely legs look like they went on for days. He loved his makeup, how a little bit of eyeliner, a touch of mascara and some red lipstick could make his eyes look huge and bright, and his lips even more plump and kissable.
But Alphas didn't want him.
No one had ever wanted him.
And now his own father had tried to set him up.
'I don't care what pops says.' Angel thought angrily, scrubbing the last of his makeup off before stepping under the warm spray of the shower. 'I ain't goin' on anotha date with some schmuck just because he's the son of pops business partner. If an Alpha wants me, they can ask me themselves!'
He finished up his shower and dried off. Once he was dry he rubbed a vanilla scented lotion into his soft, freckled skin before slipping on his nightgown and panties and padding back to his and Molly's room.
His twin was already asleep, snuggled under her quilt.
Angel climbed into his own bed and tried to follow suit, but sleep didn't come for a long time.
••❣••
"So how was your date with Johnny?" Henroin Ragni grunted from behind his paper the next morning.
Angel ignored him, instead focusing on helping ma get breakfast ready.
"Antonio." Henroin lowered the paper and fixed his youngest son with a stare. "Don't ignore me."
Angel sighed and put down the bowl of eggs he had been beating.
"It was great pops. He picked me up, we went ta tha nicest place in town, an' I got insulted. Kicked 'im in tha nuts and came home."
Henroin's brows shot up, his face turning red as his temper flared.
"You did what!?" He snarled.
"I kicked him in the nuts and came home." Angel repeated. "Bozo had tha nerve ta stand there an tell me I was too pretty! Tha he only went out with me because of who you are, an' I'm too much like a dame!" Angel forced a laugh, his chest aching at the memory of the hurt and anger and shame he had felt when the Alpha had said that to him.
Henroin slammed his hands on the table, standing up so quickly his chair toppled over.
"Antonio!" He boomed. "You will call him and apologize!"
"I will not! Why should I apologize ta him! He insulted me!" Angel snapped, his own anger flaring up.
"I am not arguing this with you Antonio! He's Don Valerio's son, and a very valuable business contact. I won't have you ruining that!"
"I will not apologize, and that's final pops! Ya wanna get all buddy-buddy with Don Valerio? Why not send 'Niss ova there since he wants a butch partner that isn't so much like a dame, not me." With that, Angel stalked out of the kitchen and up the stairs, ignoring his pops angry shouts and his ma's worried questions.
He slammed the door to his room, and locked it. Then he threw himself on his bed and burst into tears.
There was a hesitant knock at the door and Angel looked up, wiping his eyes.
"Go away!" He shouted.
"Tone, it's me. Please let me in." Came Molly's quiet voice.
Angel got up and opened the door.
"Hey sis." He muttered, wiping at his eyes again.
"Tone, you know pops can be an ass sometimes but ya can't let it get to you. It's just how he is." Molly said.
"I know Molls. But it ain't fair. I'm just me, an' it's never enough." Angel said, sitting on his bed. "It's never gonna be enough. We're 16 this year... I know pops is gonna marry us off soon and I... I just don't think I can do it sis."
Molly sat down next to him and hugged him.
"I don't either. But if we don't, he's gonna kick us out and disown us." She said quietly.
No one could say it was easy bein' born into a mob family. The rules were strict and there were many for Omegas like them.
Don't speak unless spoken to.
Do what you're told.
Marry who you're told and have children.
That was it.
Molly had always been okay with the rules. She had a good nature and a soft heart. She was kind and sweet and loving and Angel knew she would do anything for the family.
Angel on the other hand, didn't like those rules.
He was just as sweet and soft as Molls but only to those who earned it. To people who deserved his sweetness.
He was confident. He could shoot, fight and cuss with the best of them and he had other skill on top of that.
Molly had been happy to be home schooled by there ma and denied when Nonno offered to send them to a fancy charm school but Angel had jumped at the chance.
He'd done well.
He could sew, dance, singe, speak 3 languages, learned fancy etiquette, and even how to type and be a secretary.
Nonno had been very proud of him and gifted him his an actual sewing machine, a Singer, and a portable typewriter as graduations gift.
"Tone. I'm not asking you to forgive pops. I'm asking you to come back downstairs and eat breakfast. If you don't want to call Johnny, then don't." Molly murmured, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Right. Okay. I can do that." Angel nodded, wiping his eyes again and standing up.
They went downstairs and had a silent breakfast.
Henroin had gone, but the tension in the air was thick. Ma looked just as weary as Angel felt, but she was trying to smile and talk about a movie she wanted to see with her pups.
Angel smiled, but his heart wasn't in it.
He had the sinking feeling his pops would be coming home with news of an engagement for him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
••❣••
A month later, Angel was proven right.
Pops was waiting for him in the receiving parlor when he came downstairs to help with breakfast, sitting in his chair in the living room with an older Alpha sitting on the sofa across from him.
He was older. Short and pudgy with small watery blue eyes and a receding hairline. His hands were clasped over his rounded belly and he was smiling.
It was a predatory smile, and it made Angel's stomach twist.
"Ah, Antonio. Come here and meet a new business associate of mine. This is Giovanni Marino." Henroin gestured to the man.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir." Angel said politely.
Giovanni held his hand out, and Angel took it. Instead of shaking his hand, Giovanni pulled Angel's hand up to his lips and kissed his knuckles.
"The pleasure is all mine." Giovanni purred.
"Antonio, we have something to discuss. Please sit." Henroin nodded to the seat next to Giovanni.
Angel sat, a feeling of dread settling in his stomach.
"As you know, Antonio, you're 16 now. You need a mate and I think I've found you one. Giovanni here is an excellent match. He's got lots of connections and is well off. I expect you to start courting him right away. Understand?"
Angel felt the color drain from his face.
He opened his mouth, wanting to scream and shout at his pops.
But he knew it would do no good.
Instead he bowed his head and nodded.
"Yes, father." He said softly.
"Good." Henroin nodded. "I'm glad you're seeing reason. Now, go and help your mother. Giovanni and I will sort out the details of our new arrangement."
"Yes, father." Angel stood, and hurried out of the parlor.
His eyes were burning and his throat was tight.
He didn't even hear Molly come up behind him, couldn't hear her over the roaring of blood in his ears.
"Tone, are you okay?" She asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine." Angel whispered, his voice cracking. "I'm fine."
Molly looked at him, worry creasing her brow.
"Come on. Let's go help ma." She took his hand and lead him into the kitchen.
Their mother was at the counter, kneading dough.
She was a small woman. Petite and slender, with soft, delicate features and a beautiful face. Her long hair was pulled into a braid, and she wore a simple blue dress. He and Molly took after her, more than they did their pops.
But despite how lovely she was it didn't hide the dullness of her eyes, and the tiredness around her mouth.
"Morning, ma." Molly said.
"Hi." Angel whispered, blinking back his tears. Evangeline Ragni looked up and her mouth pursed in a frown.
"Molly, dear, can you go get the mail?"
"Sure thing, mama." Molly kissed her cheek and hurried out.
Evangeline turned to Angel.
"So he finally told you, did he?" She asked softly, not stopping her kneading.
"Yeah. Yeah he did." Angel said quietly.
"Well it could be a worse match. He could've married you off to a brute. At least Giovanni seems polite."
"I don't wanna marry him ma. I want..." Angel trailed off.
"What is it you want Antonio?" Evangeline's voice was hard, and her hands stopped moving.
"I want..." Angel took a deep breath and looked at her. "I want an Alpha that loves me. For me."
Evangeline was silent, and when Angel finally built up the courage to look at her, her face was impassive.
"We're Omegas, Antonio. We don't have that luxury." She said simply, a bone-deep weariness in her voice.
"Ma, I can't do it. I can't marry a man I don't love."
"You will." She snapped. "You'll marry him, and you'll give him pups and you will be a good Omega."
Angel flinched.
Evangeline sighed.
"Oh my little dove." She pulled her hands out of the dough and wiped them on her apron. Then she reached out and cupped his cheek. "This is our lot. There's nothing either of us can do."
"But, ma..." Angel protested.
"No. Listen to me, Antonio. Your father has put a roof over our heads, fed us and given us everything we need. We owe him this. We both do." She gave him a small, sad smile. "We will have this life, and you will make the best of it."
She dropped her hand and turned back to her kneading.
Angel stared at her.
Then, silently, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
He heard his ma calling his name, but he ignored her.
He went upstairs and into his room. He closed the door and locked it, before sliding down to the floor.
His body felt heavy and his chest hurt.
He wanted to scream and cry and rip his own heart out, but he didn't have the energy.
Instead, he curled up on the floor, hugging his knees to his chest and sobbed. No one came looking for him, not his mother or sister or his father, and for that he was grateful.
It was late afternoon when he finally managed to pull himself together.
His eyes were sore, his nose was stuffed up and his throat hurt from all the crying. He knew he had to look a mess.
He didn't care.
Slowly, he stood up and went into the bathroom. He splashed his face with water and tried to fix his makeup but the red around his eyes wouldn't fade, no matter what he did.
Finally, he gave up.
He took a deep breath and went back downstairs.
Henroin was still in the parlor, but the Marino man was gone.
"Antonio." Henroin didn't look up from his newspaper. "Go to the tailor. You'll need a wedding dress and you need to pick out some new clothes for when you move into your Alpha's home next month."
Angel's face burned.
"Yes, father." He said softly, keeping his voice level.
Henroin nodded.
"Good. Good. Now go. And take your sister with you."
Angel nodded and hurried into the kitchen, his eyes burning again.
His ma was putting dinner in the oven.
"Ma, pops wants Molls an' me ta go to the tailor." He said, his voice wavering slightly.
"Alright." She wiped her hands on her apron and grabbed her pocketbook from one of the upper shelves and handed him a crisp $50 note. "Take this, and make sure you both have a snack before dinner."
Angel nodded, and went to the stairs.
"Molls! Get down here! We're goin' out!" He shouted.
He waited at the bottom of the stairs and his sister came bounding down the steps a moment later.
"Where are we going?" She asked excitedly.
"The tailor. Pops wants me ta get a wedding dress an' he wants me ta pick out new clothes."
Molly's smile faltered.
"Oh." She said softly.
Angel handed her the money and they went outside.
The tailor wasn't far from their house, but it was a long walk.
"I'm so sorry Tone." Molly said, taking his hand.
"I... I'm not. I'm not gonna do it Molls. I'm not gonna marry him." Angel said.
"But, Tone... Pops..."
"Pops can go fuck 'imself for all I care! I ain't gonna marry him, or anyone else unless they love me! For me." Angel said firmly. "I'm leavin' before the wedding but I'm gonna milk as much cash as I can outta pops before I do."
Molly blinked.
"Tone, no one leaves the family. Especially not us. The only way out is in a box." She whispered, face white.
"I'll find a way." Angel promised, squeezing her hand. "I ain't marryin' that creep and havin' his pups."
"Where would you even go? What would you even do? Tone, you're an Omega!" She hissed, eyes wide.
"I'll figure it out. But I'm not stayin'."
Molly was quiet for a while.
"Okay." She said finally. "But I'm helpin' ya."
Angel nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Okay."
They arrived at the tailor and neither wasted time. They were in and out within 30 minutes and spent another hour at the park making plans.
They went home and Angel was actually smiling.
Maybe, just maybe, his life would work out.
••❣••
The next month and a half passed quickly.
Angel was busy getting his things ready for his escape. He had managed to squirrel away almost $2000 dollars and he had all of his knew clothes packed away in a leather trunk his ma had bought him for his birthday a couple years ago.
Molly was helping him sneak around the most, making sure he had plenty of preserved food, and even sneaking some of her own things into his bag.
The night before his wedding, he and his twin were sitting on his bed and she passed him a train ticket for the Crescent Limited, scheduled to leave Penn Station at midnight. A 32 hour train ride to the Crescent City, to New Orleans.
He hugged it, feeling his eyes fill with tears.
"Thank you, Molls. For eva' thing. You're tha best." He hugged her tightly.
"I wish I could come with you." She whispered, wrapping her arms around him.
"I do too. But this is something I gotta do alone. Pops'll never let both of us go. He won't put too much money or time into if if it's just me, but if we both went? He'd spend eva' last cent he's got." Angel wiped his eyes. "I gotta do this. I gotta."
Molly nodded.
"I know. I'll miss you Tone and I'll write a letter for ya ta pick up at the Hotel Monteleone once everything blows over here. So ya better check everyday for a letter from me, you got it?"
"I will." Angel nodded. "And I'll write ya after I get a letter. I'll send it to Uncle Ricky. He won't snitch one me."
"You'd better. I'll be waiting."
There was a knock at the door and Angel quickly stuffed the train ticket under his pillow.
"Ya can come in." He called.
His ma opened the door and looked at him.
"Tomorrow is your wedding day." She said, her voice shaking.
"Yeah. It is."
"I'm so proud of you, my little dove. You'll make a wonderful wife." She whispered. "I know this isn't what you want, and I'm sorry you have to do this. But we all must do our part. I promise, it won't be all bad. He is a kind Alpha, and you'll have a nice life."
"Thanks, ma." Angel tried to smile.
"Goodnight, my darling."
"Night, ma."
"Night ma." Molly echoed.
Evangeline closed the door, and Angel heard her footsteps fade down the hall.
He looked at his sister.
"I gotta head to the station soon." He whispered.
"Yeah. I'm gonna miss you." Molly sniffled.
"Me too. Me too." Angel pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "Be strong, Molly-girl. I know ya can."
"Okay." She wiped her eyes.
They stayed up talking and cuddling until the clock chimed eleven, then Angel reluctantly pulled away.
"It's time." He said.
Molly nodded, and stood up.
"Come on."
She helped him gather his things and they slipped downstairs.
"Molly, wait here." Angel whispered.
He went into the parlor and saw his father slumped over in his arm chair, an empty glass next to him and a nearly empty bottle of whiskey on the end table.
Angel crept close and gently eased his car keys out of his pants pocket and took a hundred dollar bill from the money clip in his shirt pocket.
He didn't feel bad. An extra hundred dollars sure wouldn't hurt his pops and it would certainly make a dent in the massive debt the bastard owed.
He slipped out the back door after Molly who had already loaded his trunk into the car.
They drove to Penn Station, and Angel pulled the car into a parking spot near the train station.
They sat there, silent.
"I guess... this is it." Angel whispered, not wanting to move.
"It is. Write me soon." Molly hugged him.
"I will. And if ya can't stand the way pops is treatin' ya, just follow me." Angel hugged her back.
"I will."
They pulled apart and Angel grabbed his bag and trunk.
He looked at the car, and the station.
"Here goes nothin'." He whispered, looking back over his shoulder at his sister.
"Good luck in New Orleans." Molly smiled at him.
Angel grinned, and nodded.
Then he turned and headed towards the doors, feeling like he was stepping off a precipice into nothing.
He didn't look back.
••❣••
Molly hadn't told him she'd splurged on his ticket.
He had a private sleeper, complete with a tiny washroom and a double bed.
"Oh Molls..." He whispered softly, plastering on a smile for the attendant who stowed his luggage away and showed him how to work everything.
He was alone now.
His smile slipped off his face.
He crawled into the bed, and pulled the covers over him.
"I did it. I'm gone. I'm gone." He whispered to himself, trying to reassure himself he'd done the right thing.
He fell asleep to the sound of the train moving, lulled by the rocking and clacking and the gentle hum of the engine.
He dreamt of being free.