Page 117 of King of Omen

It’d been days since I’d been home, and I braced, wondering if I’d find chaos.

Sun streamed into my windows through the open curtains, casting light on the furniture and tables.

It appeared Linda had cleaned up after herself during my absence. Other than a few coffee cups and plates discarded in odd spots in the living area and cushions on the floor, the place was spotless.

I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for her attentiveness.

I tended to go ape if I found a dirty house.

‘All good?’ I asked Mauri as he emerged from quickly checking the house.

He nodded. ‘I’ll leave now. Remember, we have a car outside if you need anything.’

On impulse, I rushed to him and gave him a peck on his cheek.

He coloured up as I murmured, ‘Thank you.’

‘Bene,’ he growled, waving off my appreciation before disappearing with one final glance out the door.

Left alone, I made my way to my bedroom and unpacked.

Minutes later, the front door lock jiggled, followed by the sound of it creaking opening, laughter, and chatter.

I stepped out into the hallway.

‘She’s back!’

‘I am,’ I smiled, leaning against my door jamb as Linda and Tony ambled inside. ‘Did you miss me?’

‘Of course, hon,’ Linda said.

She exchanged a quick look with Tony.

It was fleeting, but I caught it.

Tony’s expression was hard-edged and a touch shady like he was pissed off, but at whom it wasn’t clear.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something about their energy didn’t feel right.

‘Hey Tony, how’s it going?’ I said, keeping my tone light.

‘Oh, you know, just trying to figure out life,’ he replied with a forced chuckle. ‘I’m just dropping Lin off,’ he added.

We exchanged more casual banter before I excused myself to my room to finish unpacking.

When I emerged, Tony and Linda were huddled together in the living room. They jumped apart at the sight of me, but their wary and narrowed eyes gave me the creeps.

Tony left in a hurry, and my eyes followed him, heading out with some concern.

‘Want a glass of vino?’ Linda invited. ‘Let’s catch up on all your drama.’

I hadn’t divulged to Linda why I’d been away.

I’d claimed it was a crisis with a friend, and sensing that everything was not well with her and Tony, I kept my secrets.

Besides, how crazy would my real story sound? Two assassins, a mafia feud, an averted biker hit from my biker father, a hot Italian ex-Mafia lover?

I kept the details sketchy. ‘No drama, just a friend in need.’

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