Page 58 of Omega in Hiding

“Do you have a restroom?”

“Yes.” She grimaces. “It’s for customers only though.”

“I’m getting coffee too. It’s just the bathroom is a more pressing issue.” I force a smile and my face feels like it’s cracking. How long has it been since I’ve smiled? I don’t remember being happy since Connor left. Could it have been that long since I bothered to smile at anyone?

“In that case, it’s down the hall on the right.” She bites her bottom lip. “If you tell me your order I can start making it.”

I get the feeling she doesn’t quite believe I plan on buying coffee. “I’ll have a large dark roast with oat milk, if you have it.”

“We do.” She seems to relax. “I’ll get that ready for you while you use the restroom.”

“Thanks.” I go down the narrow hall and find the restroom. Once I’ve used the facilities, I return to her and pay for my drink. It’s a cozy little shop with slate floors, and mahogany shelves filled with books. If I was smart, I’d sit in the little shop and use their free Wi-Fi to check my mail, or answer the five voice mails I have from Valentino. Instead, I’m driven to return to Connor’s street.

I truly am pathetic.

I’m mystified about why I want to go back to Connor’s apartment. I’m too cowardly to approach Connor, so what’s the point? Hanging out where I might see him kiss that alpha again is stupid. Self-destructive. But I can’t seem to help it. I feel compelled to be near Connor’s place. I must be a glutton for punishment.

I park in the same spot and drink my coffee. It warms my stomach and I feel slightly better with some caffeine in my system. But that small victory soon evaporates when the red-haired alpha’s car pulls up. I cuss under my breath as I watch the guy unfold from his car. I was glad he didn’t spend the night at Connor’s place, but why is he back so damn early?

The hairs on my body stiffen as he makes his way up the stairs toward Connor’s apartment. The guy looks cheerful, which grates on me. What’s he so happy about? Does he think Connor is his? He shouldn’t be so sure. I know from experience, Connor can make you feel special when you’re not.

A low rumble starts in my throat when Connor immediately opens the door to the guy. It’s like he’s been expecting him. It’s like Connor can’t wait for the guy to get inside his apartment. Why? Are they going to fuck? Pain jolts through me at the thought of Connor with that other alpha. I dig my nails into the steering wheel, trying to control the urge to go up to Connor’s apartment. I’d only make a fool of myself and I’m already a big enough fool.

When a dark SUV with tinted windows pulls up and parks behind the red-haired alpha’s car, I frown. The big luxury vehicle looks out of place on the quiet residential street. I’d bet my left nut that car belongs to someone in a syndicate. Why would anyone in the syndicate be in Beacon Hill? It’s a very small town. There isn’t any real Mafia activity in the area thatI’m aware of. The city consists of mostly family run business. It’s not the sort of place syndicates usually like to do business. It’s too small and everyone knows everyone. Syndicates prefer the bigger cities where we can disappear into the swirl of city life.

I watch the SUV for a while. It stays parked for about ten minutes with the engine running. Eventually, my hunch is confirmed when two guys in dark suits climb out. There’s no denying they’re Mafia. They wear sunglasses and there are unmistakable bulges beneath their jackets indicating they’re armed. I also notice one of them has a little Irish flag pinned to his lapel.

They’re Irish Mafia.

For one nerve-wracking moment I worry they’re here because of me. We’re at war with the Murphy and O’Sullivan Clans. I’m vulnerable at the moment because I left home without a security detail. It was reckless of me, but I couldn’t bring anyone with me. They’d immediately have told Valentino what I was up to.

But the guys in the car don’t approach me. They don’t even notice me. Instead, they head toward the apartment complex. I frown as I watch them make their way up the stairs to the upper levels. When they stop at Connor’s door, I’m bewildered and undeniably worried. Why in the hell would the Irish Mafia be here forConnor?

Without stopping to think if it’s a good idea or not, I get out of my car and hurry toward the apartment complex. As I pass the SUV, I can see there’s no one else inside. Still, two Irish Mafia types are enough of a challenge. They’re ruthless bastards from what I’ve been told growing up. I pat my suit pocket, relieved to feel my gun nestled there.

As I near the top of the stairs, I hear raised voices. My heart is pounding as I tug my gun out and push off the safety. I have no idea what’s happening, but it’s obvious from the yelling, it’s not a good thing. I’m filled with anxiety for Connor. I can’t imagine why those Irish assholes went to his apartment. Are they after the red-haired alpha? Maybe Connor isn’t the target at all. Maybe Connor just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

When I’m about fifteen feet from the doorway, I see one of the Irish guys drag the red-haired alpha out of the apartment. I slip behind a pillar and watch as the thug pistol whips the red-haired alpha. The thug is probably in his early thirties with jet black hair and a mean smile. The ginger alpha isn’t fighting back, so there’s really no reason to be so violent. I get the feeling the thug just likes hurting people.

I’m distracted from the scene before me when I hear Connor’s voice. Every cell in my body seems to come alive at the sound of his husky tone. Then Connor appears in the doorway with the older thug, his bottom lip is swollen and bleeding, and he looks scared but furious. Anger roars through me at the fact that he’s bleeding. I let out a low growl, but thankfully none of them seem to notice. Connor’s attention is focused on the red-haired alpha who’s lying unconscious on the ground in front of his apartment.

“Youassholes. You didn’t have to hurt him. Goddamn you, if you’ve killed him?” He tries to go to the alpha, but the older thug behind him grabs hold of him and shoves him away. Connor slams into the balcony wall, and for one second, I’m horrified he might fly right over it. But he doesn’t, instead he leans against it, glaring at the younger thug. “He had nothing to do with anything. Why did you hurt him, Patrick? There was no need for that.”

Connor knows these guys?

“Always such a soft hearted simp,” the one named Patrick sneers. “I see you haven’t changed.”

“Neither have you. You’re still a violent, disgusting excuse of an alpha.” Connor’s face twitches with rage.

Patrick scowls. “You think everyone is violent just because we do what’s necessary. You never had the guts for this business.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” hisses Connor. “That’s why I left itbehind.”

“Tried to, you mean,” Patrick jeers. “I can’t believe you thought you could run and we wouldn’t find you.”

“It took you and Da long enough.” Connor smirks, looking more belligerent than I’ve ever seen him. “Six beautiful years of not having to look at your ugly faces.”

Anger paints Patrick’s features. “Don’t you speak to Da that way. After all he did to raise you after Mam died.” He starts for Connor with a murderous expression, but the older alpha stops him.

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