Page 53 of King of Omen

‘Bene,’ he said, his voice devoid of warmth. ‘ They’re gone, packages in tow.’

I met his gaze as his eyes searched mine.

‘Grazie, for your help,’ he grunted. ‘You did well,’ he added.

I took a shaky breath as an indecipherable expression flashed on his face.

Was it worry? Relief? Concern?

Or perhaps something darker lurking beneath the surface? Whatever it was, it was wiser not to pry. In this world of shadows and secrets, ignorance would be my shield.

He prowled further into the room, stopping for a moment to check on his supine bodyguard.

Turning to me, he raised his chin. ‘We’ve had enough excitement for tonight. Pick one of the guest bedrooms upstairs and stay put. We’ll order food, supplies, and anything we require. Savvy?’

He removed his wallet from his trouser pocket, opened it and tossed a credit card on the table.

‘In the morning, find all you want online - clothes, shoes, whatever - but have it delivered. I believe we have a secure parcel delivery box at the gate. Only Mauri or I will retrieve any deliveries. Is that clear?’

‘I have a work gig at 11 a.m. and class in the afternoon.’

‘You can’t leave,’ he reiterated, his jaw tightening. ‘Reschedule, re-book, shift your calendar for the rest of the week until I can be sure you’ll be safe.’

He growled the words, frustration on his cold face. ‘Don’t worry about money either; you’ll be well compensated for your troubles.’

‘My phone, bag, one change of clothes and laptop are in the van outside,’ I whispered.

He stared at me for a beat. ‘Give me your keys. I’ll fetch them.’

I hesitated, then rooted for the bunched set in my pocket and handed them to him. My eyes locked on him as he left the room, his gaze icy.

He disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with Mauri in the study.

In the stillness that followed, I wondered again what I had gotten myself into, pissed off at being embroiled in the same shit I’d worked so hard in my adult life to get away from.

Lorenzo returned with my bag and laptop, tossing them on the table with a thump.

‘Keep your communications limited to strictly need to know, and find out whether you can log in online to your classes,’ he demanded, his eyes never leaving mine.

I nodded without argument, sensing it was pointless to resist.

Lorenzo’s eyes shut for a beat. When he opened them, his expression was unreadable once more.

‘Go upstairs, get some sleep,’ he growled.

I dipped my head, overcome with physical and emotional exhaustion.

In silence, I gathered my belongings and headed for the exit.

I hovered at the door and turned to him.

‘Who were they?’

Lorenzo glanced up at me, surprise in his dark azure eyes.

He gazed at me for a beat before replying. ‘Wet work specialists sent to hush me, the most silent of them all.’

‘But why?’ I pushed.

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