Page 25 of King of Omen

Standing on the doorstep of my cottage, I watched as the vehicle’s taillights disappeared around a corner.

My relief at having the precious heirloom returned only deepened my intrigue in Lorenzo. Memories of his handsome, cold, and cutting face returned to me. As did the glint of dark fire in his eyes, the rumble of his voice, and his enigmatic presence.

Yet his consideration in returning my pendant was unmatched, and I felt a lingering need to see him in person and thank him myself.

Wishes were for horses, I thought. There was little chance I’d ever see Lorenzo again.

Tamping down my wistfulness, I stepped back into the cottage and opened the jewellery box, resting on the package again.

The locket and chain glinted in the soft light as I lifted them, my fingers tracing the intricate design. I clasped them back close to my heart where they belonged.

With a sigh, I turned to the mysterious parcel.

I untied the premium ribbon and removed the contents packed with stylish tissue paper, one by one.

I found an eye mask, a crystal facial roller, an aromatherapy cream, and a body salt soak inside.

Also tucked within were two extravagant gift vouchers, one to a luxury spa retreat and the other to an exclusive women’s fashion boutique. Additionally, there were three boxes of pure indulgence chocolates, a bag of rock candy, and a bottle of Moët & Chandon non-vintage rosé imperial champagne, gift-boxed in a matching pink colour.

The accompanying token card was printed with a personalised message.

The words were simple: ‘Thank you for attending to Bianca. My brothers and I appreciate you taking on the burden of her farewell arrangements and making it a simple, elegant and moving affair. We are forever grateful— Lorenzo.’

The thoughtful gifts and heartfelt meaning were touching, and I sighed as peace fell over me. I’d fulfilled Bianca’s request to care for her nephew.

Suddenly, I remembered her fist-shaped pendant and pulled it from my pocket.

I noted it had a tiny hook, and so, with a smile, I added it to my necklace, now back around my nape.

Having my mother’s memory sit alongside Bianca’s amulet gift felt right.

With a wistful smile, I poured myself a glass of rosé and sat on my couch, savouring each sip.

All alone in the world. Strangely enough, however, my earlier loneliness had lifted.

Lorenzo’s kindness reminded me of my worth, and at the right time, I prayed that love would find me once more.

Chapter 6

LORENZO

Morning broke with a harsh light that sliced through the curtains, casting stark shadows across my hotel room.

As I steeled myself for yet another day of consultations and mindless obligations, my mind drifted back to Mia and the necklace I had entrusted to Mauri.

I hadn’t seen him last night at dinner. I wondered if he’d tracked her down, even as meetings passed in a blur of faces and voices, each interaction ringing hollow in my ears.

Many of my catch-ups were with lawyers and financial advisers who were exploring a restructuring of the Calibrese family business.

Hours were spent in stuffy conference rooms filled with stern-faced men in tailored suits flipping through chunky piles of legal documents. The monetary experts sat beside them, their brows furrowed as they scrutinised charts and graphs.

The air was thick with the scent of fresh coffee, surrounded by the buzzing energy of intellect, mapping out the future of our future.

I dialled in my brothers over video calls. Our meetings became a clash of sharp wit, calculated planning, and brainstormed strategies to help us make a clean break from all our previous illicit business.

My brothers, my team, and I were crafting a plan to shape our futures for our families, perhaps even our wives and children.

It was the ultimate act of faith, believing in what was yet to come to ensure the security and safety of those we would one day love and cherish.

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