Page 22 of Omega in Hiding

“We weren’t arguing,” he lies.

“I heard you,” I say exasperatedly. “Plus, Connor looked furious just now when he went by me.”

Dario grimaces and drops the act. “It wasn’t any big deal. He’s a punk and he mouthed off to me. So what?”

“So what?” I cock my head. “Connor isn’t like that. You must have said something to upset him. There’s no way in hell Connor just started yelling at you unless you said something first.”

Dario curls his lip. “Why are you defending him?”

“Because I know what you’re like,” I say cooly. I’ve known Dario my whole life. He doesn’t scare me like he’s scares people who don’t know him well. He’s a brute for sure, but he’s also a teddy bear with those he loves. I know he adores me, even if he rags on me all the time. He thinks that stuff is for my own good.

“You may think you know him, but you don’t.” He avoids my gaze, which strikes me as odd. “He’s up to something.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means he’s hiding something,” Dario grumbles. “I’ve felt it since he came here.”

I wrinkle my brow. “What could he be hiding?” I know for a fact Dario wouldn’t have let Connor live in his home if he hadn’t done a background check on him. If there was something there to find, he’d have already found it.

Dario plays with a chunky gold ring on his finger. “I don’t knowwhathe’s hiding. I only know he’s definitely hiding something.”

I’m frustrated that we’re going around in circles. “Was that what you were arguing about? That you think he’s hiding something?”

“No.”

Confused, I shake my head. “Why won’t you just tell me what you were mad about?”

He shifts his gaze to mine. “Ask Alessio.” He pushes past me. “I don’t have time to waste on this bullshit.” He stomps out of the sunroom.

I scratch my head, bewildered by his behavior. Dario isn’t the most talkative guy, but he’s also not usually super secretive. I go out into the foyer just as Connor descends the stairs withBaby Joesph. He looks normal now, the fury I’d seen on his face earlier gone. When he sees me, his face goes blank, much the same way Dario’s did earlier.

What the hell is going on?

Enzo is waiting by the front door, holding it open, and Alessio trails down the stairway after Connor. Alessio kisses the baby, and when he straightens, he meets my gaze. “You guys take care of my little angel.” Alessio forces a smile. “I’d love to come with you guys, but Dario would probably have a stroke.”

Connor says, “We’ll take care of Baby Joesph, don’t you worry.”

I’m looking forward to getting out of the house. Even if Connor wasn’t a part of the equation I’d be thrilled. Dario has had me holed up in his study going over binders filled with transactions from the ports. It’s mind-numbingly boring stuff. All the books are cooked, which means nothing is what it appears to be, which makes it ten times more confusing. I have a headache from straining my eyes for days going over that dull paperwork. I’m hoping that the fresh air will chase it away. It certainly couldn’t hurt.

I’m glad Connor will be there with me. I’m looking forward to talking with him some more. I haven’t seen him for days, and I’ve been thinking about him a lot. I don’t know that the interest is shared though, because he seems aloof today. I thought that we’d bonded the last time we were together. He shared with me about his inability to have children, which I thought brought us closer. But it seems that meant more to me than him because now he’s acting like a stranger to me.

Once Alessio gives Baby Joesph a few more kisses, we head out to the black SUV. Enzo packs the stroller away in the cargo area, and Connor secures the baby seat facing backward on theback seat. He puts the baby seat in the middle between us, and I have to wonder if he did that on purpose. Does the idea of sitting next to me make him uneasy?

Enzo checks his Glock and then tucks it away in his jacket. Because of who I am, going out alone isn’t an option. There are too many people out there who’d love to kidnap or murder me. While I’d love some one-on-one time with Connor, that isn’t possible. Not out in public.

Enzo starts the car and we head down the long driveway and out the front gates. Connor occupies himself with Baby Joesph. Since the baby isn’t really doing anything, it’s pretty obvious Connor is simply using the child as a wedge between us. For whatever reason, he seems uneasy about being with me. He’s like a different person from the one I spent the afternoon with in the garden. It’s frustrating, because I thought we’d turned a corner with each other. I’d hoped I was making progress with him. I apparently misread things. Or is he just feeling shy because we haven’t spoken in a few days? It feels like more.

“I haven’t seen you for a while,” I say quietly, hoping to make a connection with him. I’d love one of his warm smiles, but he doesn’t even look up when I speak.

He fiddles with Baby Joesph’s blanket, even though it seems unnecessary. “I guess it has been a few days, hasn’t it?”

Irritation nudges me because I can tell he’s pretending he didn’t notice my absence. Why? What’s the big deal all of a sudden? I don’t understand what has changed. I haven’t even seen him so I couldn’t have done anything to offend him. Why did all his warmth toward me evaporate?

Trying not to let my frustrations get the best of me, I say cheerfully, “Thanks for inviting me. I certainly needed to getoutside.” I give him one of my most charming smiles, hoping he’ll reciprocate.

He doesn’t.

He hesitates. “I didn’t invite you. Alessio thought it would be a good idea for you to get out of the house for a while.”

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