Page 62 of Omega in Hiding

He shifts toward me. “Think about it, Paolo. If I’d wanted to hurt you guys, you wouldn’t be around to discuss it with me. If I’d meant you harm, would I have protected you and Baby Joesph in the park that day? I swear I wasn’t there to spy or to harm anyone.”

“Then why the fuck were you there?” I demand angrily.

He hangs his head and says quietly, “I wanted to help Alessio.”

“What does that even mean?”

Connor shrugs. “I really am a manny. That’s my real job. That part wasn’t a lie. I know it’s hard to swallow, but I truly was randomly sent to Alessio and Dario’s home for an interview. That’s how it usually works. Someone contacts our agency for help, and the company randomly pick someone they think has the skills for the job. Then we’re sent to meet the parents and we see if we’re compatible.”

“Are you pretending you didn’t know whose home you were in?”

“No.” He frowns. “Of course I’m not saying that. The minute I met Dario, I realized who he was. I wanted to leave right then. I was going to turn down the assignment, but it wasn’t as easy as you’d think.”

“Why not?” I huff. “You could easily have just said no.”

He winces. “You don’t understand what it was like. Alessio was sodesperatefor help. I felt awful telling him no. Plus, I really wanted to help him. I enjoy helping omegas who are struggling with being a new parent.”

I give a sardonic laugh. “I’m supposed to believe that you were there out of the kindness of your heart? Give me a break, Connor.”

“I’m not surprised you don’t believe me, but I really did want to help Alessio. I knew it was a foolish risk to take the position. Mostly because of who my family is. I’d been on the run from them for six years. I always avoided anything Mafia related because I was terrified they’d find me.”

I glance at him skeptically. “And yet you ended up living in the home of one of the Black Knives most powerful members. Seems very far-fetched.”

“I agree. But it’s the truth. As I said, Alessio was unraveling and Dario was worried about him. Dario looked like he’d strangle me if I turned down the job. I decided that maybe I’d stay for a short time and show Alessio all I could. I figured once he was feeling more confident, then I’d leave. He’d be happy and I could move on to another assignment. I thought no one would be the wiser, and I’d have helped Alessio.”

“I’m still not buying the Saint Connor act,” I say drolly.

He turns to me, his eyes narrowed. “Oh, I’m no saint, Paolo. I never once said that I was.”

Our eyes lock and that familiar flush of need travels through me. I drag my eyes away, angry at myself for still feeling drawn to him. “Did you lie about the baby thing too?” I ask harshly. It’s best if I’m angry at him. It helps keep the need at bay.

His face flushes and he looks away. “No.”

“Maybe you just said that shit to get my sympathy. Jesus, I can’t believe I fell for that act. You looked so sad and sincerely heartbroken.” I give a jagged laugh. “I’ll bet you found it hysterical that I wanted to comfort you.”

“Paolo,” he says softly, his voice painted with pain. “I didn’t lie abouteverything.”

“Yeah, right.”

He sighs. “I had to hide who I was. I could have been killed if I didn’t. Dario wouldn’t have believed that I’m no longer apart of the Murphy Clan. He’d have thought exactly what you’re thinking: that I was sent there to spy on you all.”

“That’s because it makes the most sense,” I snap.

“I promise I’m not lying about that.”

I glare at him. “You lied about having a sister named Amelia who died. Do you even have a sister?”

His flush deepens. “I don’t have a sister.”

“Why the hell would you lie about your sisterdying?” I ask, bewildered by all the things Connor is admitting to. “That’s fucked up, Connor.”

“I know,” he whimpers. “I was guilty about that lie, but Dario was suspicious of me. He could tell I was uncomfortable about him being in the Mafia. I had to tell him something. I couldn’t tell him the truth: that I was in hiding from my crazy Irish Mafia family. He’d have executed me on the spot. I… I knew that if I said I’d lost someone due to Mafia violence he’d back off. And, he did.”

“Temporarily, yeah. But he didn’t trust you so he dug deeper. He knows no one named Amelia died that day.”

“Sure, but he only dug deeperafterI left.” He grimaces. “Like I said, I didn’t plan on staying in Dario’s home long. I figured by the time he figured all that out, I’d be gone. I simply wanted to help Alessio gain more confidence, and then I planned on leaving.”

I scowl. “Why did you leave without a word?”

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