Page 135 of King of Omen

They’d been gutted, their business locations raided, income streams cut off, and many lieutenants had disappeared.

Without cash, warm bodies, or influence, they were floored, on their knees, and hard-pressed to try another attack on us.

Mia glanced up from the croissant she was tearing apart on her plate with her free hand, her eyes still haunted. ‘If I need to, I’ll face her in court and testify.’

I reached over and squeezed her arm. ‘No, bella, you’re not going to relive any of that horror ever again. Not if I’ve anything to do with it.’

Saint nodded. ‘We’ll make certain she pleads out, so no legal drama or reliving the horror of your ordeal. I have contacts for some of the best lawyers in Sydney who will guarantee that. Regardless, I’ll keep tabs on the progress of Linda’s prosecution and make sure you’re informed.’

Saint lingered for a few minutes, shooting the shit with us, before he begged off for work.

Leaving my woman and I alone.

Mia gazed at me, her eyes full of gratitude and relief. ‘Thank you, honey, for hunting me down and everything you’ve done. I owe you my life.’

I stroked her back. ‘You don’t owe me anything, cara. It was my privilege to love on you.’

It had also been my version of hell. Seeing her so vulnerable and broken had undone me, almost destroyed me.

But it made me realise how much I cared for her and how I was willing to go to the ends of the earth, to death itself, to keep her safe and in my life.

Her resilience had been my salvation, too. Witnessing her recover, day by day, her spirit shining brighter, had given me a fresh lease on life.

In the following weeks, we found ourselves navigating a new normal. Mia’s health improved. We began to plan our lives together, finding solace in each other’s arms and the support of our family and friends.

I still dreaded the cold fear that had gripped me during those dark moments, but it was now tempered by the strength of a woman by my side.

L’amore domina senza regole, I thought one night, eyes on her as she fell asleep beside me. Love, in our case, had indeed ruled without rules.

We’d fallen in love amid a war and survived its ordeal, making me one of the luckiest men alive.

I kissed Mia’s sweet lips, ran a hand over her auburn hair, and, in silence, thanked Bianca for gifting me the most beautiful woman to walk this earth.

Chapter 26

MIA

In the coming weeks, to his immense satisfaction, I moved in permanently with Lorenzo, where he kept a watchful eye on me.

I didn’t mind, in the least, loving his tender care.

He ensured I settled in without drama.

Mauri and Sadie packed my apartment, and I directed the unpacking at Lorenzo’s home.

In just days, it felt as if I’d always lived with him.

He set up a retractable desk on my designated side of our King bed with my laptop, complete with a built-in phone charger and iPad.

My love always had tissues, water, and endless delicious snacks within reach so I wouldn’t have to keep climbing up and down the stairs.

He pampered me with fancy meals, crossword puzzles, and a never-ending supply of books, TV shows, and movies to binge-watch.

The man kept busy because he also tended to Mauri, who needed TLC after his run-in with Tony.

Thank heavens for Alessio.

Lorenzo’s brother pitched in without question, extending his stay in Sydney to care for us all. After a few weeks, he declared he loved the city enough to contemplate relocating from his home in New York.

---