Page 21 of Omega in Hiding

He chuffs. “Well, that’s no surprise. Guido can’t keep it in his pants to save his fucking life.” He shakes his head, and thenflicks his gaze back to me. “Paolo really suggested Guido should be moved? It wasn’t your idea?”

“I was going to keep quiet about it.” I lift my chin. “I can handle myself.”

He snorts a laugh. “Is that right? You’re a tough-guy manny?”

My face warms at his derisive tone, but I don’t back down. “I know how to fight, and I know how to shoot a gun. Everyone should know how to do those things. It’s a violent world out there.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” He finishes the apple, staring at me the entire time. I desperately want to leave, but since Alessio is taking care of Baby Joesph at the moment, I can’t use that as my excuse to bail.

Dario tosses the apple core across the room, landing easily in the small trash can against the far wall. Then he turns back to me, folding his big hands on top of the table. He studies me, a line between his dark brows.

I squirm in my chair, my mind a blank. I can’t think of anything to say that doesn’t sound dim witted. Sweat breaks out on my upper lip as he continues to watch me in silence. His black eyes seem to look right into my soul.

At long last, he says softly, “Don’t get involved with Paolo.”

I stiffen at the raw warning in his voice. “I have no intention of doing anything of the sort.” I’m not lying. While I find Paolo very attractive, I’m not an idiot. I know better than to sleep with Paolo. My reasons aren’t the same as Dario’s, but they’re just as valid.

“Good. He’s out of your league.” His voice is emotionless. He doesn’t give a shit if he’s being rude. He’s warning me off, and that’s that. He probably figures if I’m stupid enough to think I have a chance with Paolo, I’m too dumb to waste tact on.

“I’m here to work, sir. That’s it.”

He nods approvingly. “Excellent. We don’t need any drama in this house. When you go to the park with Paolo, I want you to be standoffish, capeesh?”

I wrinkle my brow. “You want me to be rude?”

“Did I say that? I said be standoffish. Aloof. Don’t be rude, but don’t be overly friendly. Don’t give him any reason to think you’re interested in him.” Dario examines his nails. “He’s bored and therefore prone to getting into trouble. We don’t need that.”

“Right.” I stand, feeling that I’ve given him enough of my time. I turn to leave the sunroom, but Dario’s voice stops me.

“Connor,” he says gruffly.

“Yeah?” I glance at him over my shoulder.

“If you think you can ignore my warning, think again. Enzo will be watching how you act at the park. He’ll give me a full report when he gets back.” He stands and the hairs on my nape raise as he approaches. “People who fuck with me and mine don’t live to talk about it. Do you understand?”

I narrow my eyes, anger eating at me at that unwarranted threat. I’m once more reminded of how much like my brother Patrick he is. The bullying way he’s talking to me gets to me more than it should.

I snap, “You know what, Dario? I haven’t doneanythingwrong. I’ve done nothing but work my ass off helping Alessio with Baby Joesph. Do I get one word of thanks from you abouthow much happier Alessio is these days?” I give a harsh laugh. “No. Instead I get athreatfrom you about something that isn’t even a thing. I don’t have eyes for Paolo or anyone else in this house. I’m here because Alessio seemed desperate for my help and I wanted to help him. Other than that, I don’t want anything to do withanyof you Mafia types.Capeesh?”

He doesn’t exactly bug his eyes, but he definitely flinches ever so slightly at my angrycapeesh.

I don’t wait for his next reaction. I’m trembling with indignation and anger, and I know the smartest thing is to get out of his presence. Number one, distance is important so he doesn’t strangle me, and number two, so I don’t spew anymore reckless, angry words.

I stride out of the sunroom, feeling Dario’s glare drilling holes in my spine. I wanted to stay in this home a little longer to make sure Alessio was ready for me to go. But if Dario and I keep butting heads, I might need to leave way sooner than I’d wanted.

Chapter Six

Paolo

I’m excited at the prospect of going to the park with Connor, but my excitement cools when I hear Connor and Dario arguing in the other room. I can’t tell what they’re arguing about, but Connor comes storming out of the sunroom like the Devil himself is after him.

He doesn’t even notice me as he charges up the stairs toward the nursery. I scowl and wander into the sunroom to find Dario pacing back and forth like an angry bull. When he sees me, his face goes blank, but before that he looked pissed.

“What was that about?” I inquire, moving closer to him.

He lifts his brows. “What was what about?”

I frown when he dodges the question. “I heard you and Connor arguing. What were you arguing about?”

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