Page 23 of King of Omen

As the chase continued, I made split-second decisions at each intersection, hoping to shake off my pursuer.

But no matter how fast I drove or how many twists I took, the sizeable car remained dogged in its pursuit. It loomed like a silent threat lurking in my rearview mirror.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my heart racing as the persistent driver followed my every move.

Paranoia gripped me, and I took a series of abrupt turns through the narrow maze of lanes.

It was early evening, so I hedged my bets and decided to pull up to my cottage, where if I screamed, there would be plenty of neighbours to hear me.

A baseball bat lay under my seat in the van, and I hoped I’d have enough time to reach it when I arrived.

I figured I’d use it to protect myself while I legged over to my neighbour, Big Pete’s place.

He’d always looked out for me and had a reputation for handling things with discretion.

The car behind me matched my every move until I screeched to a halt in front of my home, parking under a single streetlight.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I fumbled for the club, my heart thudding. I clutched the weapon with shaky hands and prepared to run for it.

I yanked my car door open and tumbled out, brandishing my bat.

‘Mia Kassa?’

I turned to glimpse a brawny figure folding out of the late-model SUV.

He stepped closer, and in the light, I recognised the burly bodyguard from the day before.

Lorenzo’s sentinel.

‘You again?’

His palms were up and out, showing that he meant no harm to me. ‘Relax, Miss Kassa. My name is Mauri.’

‘Damn,’ I whispered. ‘Why the fuck did you chase me through the mountains?’

He shrugged with annoying nonchalance. ‘I didn’t have your exact address, so I staked Lorenzo’s aunt’s place hoping you would come by, and I lucked out.’

‘Why?’ I whispered, body still shaking from the adrenaline of my imagined flight from him.

The bulky guard gestured for me to put down the baseball bat, eyes scanning my face. ‘Lorenzo sent me.’

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I dropped the weapon, still holding onto it and facing him.

Still, the mere mention of his boss elicited a shiver. Memories of his cold eyes, icy demeanour, and ruthless face flooded back. Along with the unexpected tenderness that had softened the harsh planes of his face when he’d sat with me in my sorrow.

But I kept my composure, gripping the lowered bat as I eyed the bodyguard with wariness.

‘What does he want?’ I demanded, despite the turmoil brewing within me.

Mauri took a step forward, his expression unreadable in the dim light. ‘He asked me to give you something.’

He reached into his breast pocket and took out a flat, mid-sized black box.

I stared at it until he extended it once more. ‘Take it, it’s yours.’

My heart skipped a beat at his words.

I set the bat on the van’s bonnet and, with all caution, extended my arms to accept the box.

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