Page 102 of King of Omen

I interrupted him. ‘No need. I’ll catch a cab.’

My eyes locked with Lorenzo’s, challenging him.

‘What if anything happens to you?’ he muttered, eyes dark and stormy.

‘I’ll call you.’

I tagged his intense inhale, then the suck of his teeth before he sat back, conceding. ‘That’s fine, Mia. Just text me when you get there and on your way back,’ he rasped.

He was struggling to maintain a composed facade. Deep down, I knew he was far from okay with my spending time outside his home without Mauri or himself to watch over me.

I might have pushed further and thanked him for not reacting like a jealous, controlling maniac, but I let it pass.

‘I will, Lorenzo,’ I clipped.

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy for him, but I needed to see if he could trust me and respect my friendship with Sadie.

In the meantime, I continued my studies with the finance books Tony had delivered and focused on acing my upcoming exams.

That night, I passed by Lorenzo’s study before I left.

‘Hey,’ I said, leaning against the jamb, ‘my cab is here. I’ll be out for a few hours - I hope you and Mauri have a good evening.’

He glanced up, raked his eyes over me, and, to my surprise, replied with a simple, ‘Enjoy your time, Mia.’

I hid a smile as I walked outside to the waiting Uber. It appeared like Lorenzo was progressing in grasping my need for independence and trust.

Dinner with Sadie was a blast. We caught up on university gossip, general chit-chat, and my business, which she was helping me out with.

I was relieved that while I sent him the requested messages to let him know I was alright, Lorenzo did not call or text me while I was out, a sign that he respected my boundaries.

The next evening, he invited me to join Mauri and himself at his poker night with Vitto, which I enjoyed despite my lack of experience.

Another night, he surprised me with an intimate dinner in his dining room.

Banishing Vitto and Mauri from the house, he prepared a beautiful meal and served it in a candlelit atmosphere. The table was set with crisp white linens, silver cutlery, and blooming flowers arranged in a delicate centrepiece. Soft, flickering candles created a warm and inviting glow.

The aroma of herbs and spices filled the air as Lorenzo presented succulent veal and delicious pan-fried fish accompanied by roasted vegetables, wine and fresh-baked bread.

Every dish was plated with precision and care, and as I sat, surrounded by such decadence, I felt pampered.

Each bite was a burst of flavour, balanced and melting in my mouth, with hints of sweetness and spice.

This was the kind of grovelling I could subscribe to.

Our eyes locked as we ate.

I tagged the burning desire and soft care in his eyes.

He reached out to hold my hand. ‘I know I haven’t always been the best partner to you, Mia. But I am trying to change. I want to be the person you need and deserve, with mutual trust. For without you, I will break, bella.’

I tagged a vulnerability in him that I had never seen before. It was a side he had always kept hidden from me, and it made me wonder what other secrets he had kept all this time.

I didn’t respond right away; instead, I continued to gaze into his eyes, attempting to read his intentions.

‘I hear you,’ swallowing the feeling tightening my throat.

It was all I could offer at that moment.

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