Page 71 of King of Omen

‘My father.’

He jolted in shock. ‘È giusto?’

‘Yes, it’s the truth.’

He pushed a hand through his hair, a sign of the tension whipping inside him. ‘Fuck me, Mia, you never cease to surprise.’

I shrugged as he raked his azure eyes over me.

Coming to some conclusion, he shook his head and, with a frown, exited the car.

He tracked to me, jerked his chin, and we approached Angus together.

Lorenzo’s eyes focused on Angus, his jaw tightening, muscles tense and coiling, a predator on the prowl, ready to pounce on his prey.

‘You’re the made man my daughter advocates for,’ Angus stated when we drew up, giving him an icy stare when Lorenzo paused and crossed hands over his chest, muscles rippling beneath his shirt.

‘Si, the same one you tried to run off the road and kill,’ Lorenzo muttered.

The men stared off for a long moment.

Angus broke the stalemate. ‘My daughter has asked me to back off, and for her, I’ll walk to the ends of the earth. In turn, do I have your promise you won’t send your dogs after me?’

‘Do you see any hounds in my wake?’ Lorenzo drawled. ‘I’m unarmed; it’s your daughter who is carrying, sir.’

‘Is that your roundabout way of saying you’ll leave me be if I back off?’

‘She tells me you’re her father, so I’ll do it for her. Only if you tell me who sent you.’

‘A Neapolitan man called Carlo,’ my father stated without hesitation. ‘Someone we’ve had dealings with in the past.’

‘I see, ‘Lorenzo snarled between gritted teeth.

‘Be careful, Lorenzo Calibrese,’ Angus went on. ‘These roads can be treacherous and not for the faint of heart. If a hair is harmed on her head, I’ll come for you myself.’

‘I understand the underworld more than you know,’ Lorenzo growled, just as intimidating as my father. ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure her safety.’

Angus grunted, his face a picture of disapproval. ‘Do not let your guard down. I’ll make up some excuse about today for Carlo, but he won’t stop coming for you.’

His gaze held Lorenzo’s as he jerked his chin, a silent promise between both men.

‘Now get the fuck out of here,’ Angus growled, raising a hand to his riders, who’d been watching the drama unfold with interest.

With Lorenzo’s gun still in my hand, I gave my father one more hug and kiss, then stepped away. ‘Catch you around the traps,’ I whispered, aware it’d be at least a year or two before we re-encountered each other.

‘Send me an invitation to the wedding, won’t you?’ he called out with a smirk as Lorenzo’s arm encircled my waist.

We both stared in shock as my father swaggered back to his lethal-looking two-wheeler and sat astride it.

With a grin and salute to us, he started up his engine and rolled off.

His gang roared to life on their Harleys, kicking up dust as they peeled away, disappearing down the road.

Lorenzo led me in silence to the SUV, where he stripped me of his weapon and stored it back in the glove compartment.

He shut the door, leaving us both outside. Mauri’s face averted from us, still seated ramrod behind the wheel.

Lorenzo tugged me close, then pushed me against the back door. He ran his hands over my arms and neck, encircling my nape.

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