Page 15 of Omega in Hiding

Maria sets a big sandwich down in front of me along with a glass of milk. “Eat every crumb, young man.”

“Looks amazing.” I nod approvingly, and dig in. As I eat the delicious sandwich she sits across from me, sipping on cup of tea. She tells me about her thirteen grandchildren. She rattles off all of their names with great ease. I can’t imagine trying to keep all those names straight, but she seems to have them down.

By the time I finish my sandwich, I’m almost envious of how content Maria is with her life. She works so hard, but she seems happy as a clam. She’s bursting with joy, and her joy stems from her family. I love my family, but they don’t bring me endlessjoy.Sometimes they bring me endless stress, but not joy. Valentino in particular.

“You any closer to settling down?” Maria asks, wiping her hands on her apron. She’s returned to rolling dough on the island now. I suspect she feels guilty when she’s not working.

“Not yet.” I avoid her gaze.

She tsk, tsks. “Valentino won’t be happy about that. Luckily he and Nico have given your mother grandchildren, or she’d be hounding you to claim an omega too.”

“I have plenty of time for all of that.” My sandwich sticks in my throat and I wash it down with milk.

“Time goes fast, Paolo. Before you know it?” She snaps her fingers. “You’ll be middle-aged. Better start thinking about picking a suitable omega soon.”

I grunt and finish off my sandwich. The sudden change in conversation has dampened my appetite. Why is everyone so concerned with me taking an omega? It’s annoying. I’m only twenty-four. Everyone is acting like I’m forty or something.

Since I’m done eating, I give Maria a peck on the cheek, and leave the kitchen. I wander into Dario’s study, thinking I might find a book to read. Since Alessio and Dario aren’t back yet, I have nothing to do. While I’m looking through the bookshelf, I glance over and see Connor outside. He’s pushing Baby Joesph in the stroller, and I immediately perk up and move to the window. I watch him as he pushes the stroller toward the rose garden on the west side of the house.

I sigh, taking him in. He really is an exquisite omega. His hair is the color of wheat, and his body slender. He’s shorter than me, I noticed that when I was in his room. I also noticed his eyes were the most beautiful light green color, with dark green around the iris.

God, I’d give anything to fuck him.

My dick hardens as I watch him pushing the stroller and talking to the baby. I have to stifle the urge to go outside to be near him. But I don’t want to scare him off by being too aggressive. I was probably already too pushy earlier. He’s the type who will need to be slowly seduced. If I come on too strong too fast, he’ll pull away.

As I’m watching, I notice one of the guards following him. He calls out to Connor and Connor stops pushing the stroller. The guard, an alpha named Guido, strides over to Connor, chest puffed out. My gut churns as I watch him hovering over Connor. Guido isn’t my favorite guy. He’s coarse and bossy, but a lot of the guys who do the outside security are like that. They don’t need to be as refined as the guys who work inside the house.

I’m curious what he wants to talk to Connor about. Connor’s body language is uneasy. He was guarded with me too, but this is different. Connor glances back at the house, which peaks my curiosity. Is the guard making him so uncomfortable that he’s hoping someone will come out and rescue him? Connor was more than capable of discouraging me earlier. Surely he can handle Guido. But when Guido leans closer to Connor, my hackles rise. Guido’s posture is bullying, and I take notice as Connor throws another glance toward the home.

Instinct has me leaving my position near the window and heading outside. I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to say when I reach them. I feel foolish giving into my instincts, but they’re impossible to ignore sometimes. It’s obvious Connor is unhappy with Guido’s attention, and I feel compelled to do something about that.

When I reach Connor and Guido, the relief I see on Connor’s face sends a warmth through me that feels like warmhoney. He might have rejected my company earlier, but he’s happy to see me now.

“Connor, I was wondering if I could join you on your stroll in the rose garden?” I keep my voice light and airy, giving Guido a polite nod. “I’ve been stuck inside all day.”

Guido straightens and takes a step back from Connor and the stroller. “Oh, hey, Mr. Syracuse. I was just admiring how big Baby Joesph has gotten.” It’s an outright lie seeing as he never once looked at the baby in the stroller. All his focus was on Connor. But at least he’s backing down, which is what I wanted.

“He really has grown.” I smile distractedly, hoping he’ll take the hint and mosey along.

I’m pleased when Connor steps closer to me, intuitively seeking my protection. I haven’t had many omegas turn to me for protection. They come to me for sex and fun, but not to protect them. It’s a nice feeling to have Connor’s unspoken trust. I’d love to slip my arm around his waist, but refrain. I don’t want to do anything that makes him uncomfortable.

Guido seems to be getting the message as he moves away. “Enjoy your walk,” he says as he strides toward the front gate where he belongs.

Connor gives his retreating back a scowl and mumbles, “Pervert.”

“Was he hitting on you?” I ask, pushing my hands into the pockets of my suit jacket. “That’s what it looked like.”

“Yeah.” Connor narrows his eyes. “How did you know? Were you watching me?”

My face warms but I simply shrug. “I was looking out the window to see if Alessio and Dario had arrived home yet. I was getting bored since I have nothing to do.”

“Oh.” I can’t tell if he believes me or not.

“You should be glad I was looking out the window, right? You seemed unhappy with Guido’s attentions. I noticed you look toward the house as if hoping the cavalry would arrive soon.”

“I told Maria I’d be outside. She said she’d keep an eye on me because Guido has bothered me before.” He frowns. “I was hoping she’d come out and chase him off.”

I feel deflated at his response, but I hide it by saying brightly, “Well, you got me instead. What was he saying to you?” I hope to turn the conversation away from me and my window peeping.

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