Page 61 of Omega in Hiding

“Good,” I say. “Now go inside.”

“Wait,” Connor interjects. “Patrick has a second gun in an ankle holster.”

Patrick glares at Connor, but he reaches down and takes the weapon out of the little leather holster. He puts the second gun with the first. “You’re going to pay for this betrayal, Conrad.”

“Stop talking,” I say. “Just get your ass inside the apartment.”

Seamus sneers. “You’re going to feel like an idiot when you realize you’ve been played, Paolo. Connor doesn’t care about you. He’s using you to get what he wants.”

There’s no denying his words get inside my head. Connor has lied about everything since I met him. Despite my strong feelings for him, I don’t trust him. Not one bit. But I still can’tleave him with Seamus and Patrick. Once I get him away from them, I’m not sure what comes next. For now, my focus is simply escaping unscathed.

I say harshly, “Shut up and get inside the apartment.”

Seamus gives me a surly look, but they both go inside, and Connor and I follow. Connor leads them to a coat closet and he opens the door, keeping his distance from them. Patrick gives me a death glare before walking into the closet. Seamus is more quietly malevolent now. His slate colored eyes are cold and filled with malice. He’s less verbal than Patrick, but I get the feeling he’s a hundred times more deadly.

Once they’re inside the closet, Connor shuts the door, locks it. He then also wedges a kitchen chair under the handle. “Just a little extra something to slow them down,” he mutters.

We leave the apartment, but before following me to the stairs, Connor pulls out his cell and he dials 911. “Someone’s been seriously hurt at 749 Willow Avenue, Apt 22. Please, send an ambulance quickly,” he says into the phone, and then he lays it on the chest of the alpha. Jealousy rises in me when he gently strokes the alpha’s pale cheek. “I’m so sorry, Sully.”

“Come on, Connor,” I urge, sick to my stomach at Connor’s heartbroken expression. He’s definitely upset. He must have strong feelings for that alpha.

Connor turns and follows me with a grim countenance. We race down the stairs to the bottom level, and bolt toward my Mercedes. Connor obediently climbs in the car when I unlock it, and I start the engine. I pull out onto the quiet street and we roar down the road toward the main highway.

The silence in the car is leaden. I imagined this reunion many times, but this isn’t at all how I pictured it. I’m stillgrappling with the fact that Connor is Seamus Murphy’s son. I don’t know what to say to Connor and he isn’t talking either. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. I have no clue if he’s grateful that I just saved him, or resentful that I showed up out of the blue. Maybe he’s just concerned about that red-haired alpha. Maybe I mean as much to him as a Taxi driver.

I clear my throat, compelled to break the thick silence. “Is your lip still bleeding?”

“I think it stopped,” he says softly. His hands are clasped so hard, his knuckles are white.

As we reach the on ramp for the freeway, an ambulance goes racing past us, followed by a paramedic truck. Connor turns his head to watch them pass. “I hope Sully is okay,” he says quietly.

The obvious worry in his voice hurts. I’m jealous of Connor’s concern for that other alpha, even as I feel betrayed by him. By all rights, I should hate him. He’s a member of the Irish mob. Every word out of his mouth was a lie. But I’m not just hurt that he lied. I’m also suspicious of him. What was he up to the entire time I knew him? Why was a member of the Murphy Clan living in Dario and Alessio’s home? Was he sent there to spy? Was he there to kidnap Baby Joesph, or to murder us in our sleep?

I clear my throat. “We should talk.”

“Yes.” He tenses.

“Why did you lie about who you are?” My voice trembles with anger. I hate that I can’t hide my emotions better. But there’s a bitter cocktail of pain and jealousy and anger swirling inside of me.

His fingers seem to tighten even more. “I think the reason must be obvious.”

I glance at him, taking in his stony profile. “Because you’re Seamus Murphy’s son.”

“It’s more complicated than that, but I suppose that’s the only part you’ll fixate on.” He sounds frustrated.

“It’s a pretty big deal. Our families are sworn enemies, Connor. Or should I call you Conrad?” I grate out.

He winces. “Connor is fine. Conrad died six years ago when I left the Murphy Clan.”

“Who knows if you really left? Maybe your mild-mannered and ever-so-helpful manny routine was just an act to gain access to Dario’s home.”

“No.”

I huff and pull onto the highway. “You must see how it looks, right? How the hell would you have ended up living in Dario’s home, if it wasn’t orchestrated? What are the odds of something like that happening randomly?”

“I… I understand how it looks, Paolo. But it wasn’t like that. I meant no harm to any of you. I swear.”

I make a disgusted sound. “I find that hard to believe. We’re you spying on us? Were you reporting back to your father about our every move?”

---