Page 20 of King of Omen

Or, as I’d witnessed standing so close to her, the depth of emotion that lurked beneath her guarded facade.

I dragged on the cheroot, its aromatic notes mingling with the cool night air.

With my eyes closed, I imagined her face, my heart clenching as I exhaled a cloud of smoke into the night air.

The sound of crickets filled the silence around me, their chirping a rhythmic backdrop to my thoughts.

I lingered on the terrace in the lovely little garden for some time, soaking in its ambience and peace, my thoughts meandering from Bianca and back again to the woman who’d done us a great service with little want for reward.

Voices broke through my reverie as some guests discovered the hidden terrace.

With an exhale, I sat up.

Tossing the cigar stub into a nearby ashtray, my eye caught a glint on the chair she’d been seated in.

I leaned and reached, retrieving a delicate gold chain and locket snagged on the wood.

In the weak light of the early moon, I flipped open the pendant and found a tiny black-and-white photo nestled inside.

It was a portrait of a young woman with striking hair and piercing eyes—the resemblance between the woman in the photograph and Mia was uncanny. Her gaze filled with strength and resilience that spoke volumes.

Fingering the necklace, I discovered the clasp was broken.

I sighed.

It must have slipped from her nape when she lingered with me earlier.

Given the miniature picture hidden within the pendant, this wasn’t just any old piece of trinket but a connection to her mother.

Suddenly invested, I knew I had to return the necklace to Mia, not wanting to think of her worrying about it.

Stepping back into the house, I cast my eyes around, searching with no luck.

Mauri appeared by my side. ‘Need anything, boss?’

I opened my palm, revealing the jewellery. ‘Mia, the woman in lilac, dropped this outside. We need to find her.’

‘Si, padrone,’ he murmured. ‘I’ll track her down.’

I shook my head when he extended a hand to take the pendant. ‘If you do, bring her to me.’

He raised a brow but kept his expression detached as always.

On the other hand, I had lost all will to maintain an impersonal front, not ready to let go of her yet.

He strode off as Vitto approached me.

‘Everything alright?’

My brother’s deep voice rumbled with concern, eyes scanning my face for any hint of distress.

I squeezed the necklace, the metal biting into my skin. ‘It will be. Just need to find someone.’

My tone brooked no argument as my eyes swept the room for the woman who was captivating my thoughts.

‘Who?’ Vitto pushed.

‘Remember the M. Kassa, the person who’s kept this shit afloat for our aunt?’

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