Page 73 of Omega in Hiding

He smiles. “No. I like that about you, Paolo. I’m not power-hungry either. I just want to be happy.”

“Exactly.” I kiss him softly and then straighten. “Now, I think we need food. Neither of us ate yesterday and last night was rather… er… taxing?”

“Do you mind if we eat somewhere other than this room?” Connor grimaces. “I’ve been stuck in here an awfully long time.”

“Of course. Whatever you want.” I study him. “After lunch, I think we should go see Valentino.”

He gives a gulping sound. “You sure?”

I nod. “The sooner we get it over with, the better. Plus, your family is out there somewhere, no doubt hunting for you. I want you somewhere safe. There are few places safer than my family home. I don’t think even your crazy family would come for you there.”

“No. Da and Patrick prefer when the odds are in their favor.”

I scowl. “Like attacking two unsuspecting people in an apartment?”

“Yep. They don’t play fair.”

I pull him against me, resting my chin on his heard. “I’m not going to let anything hurt you, Connor. That includes my family, okay?”

He sighs. “Okay.” There’s doubt in his voice.

“Do you doubt my love?” I ask frowning.

“No.”

“Haven’t I always protected you, Connor? Didn’t I come after you despite Valentino’s wishes?”

“You did indeed,” he murmurs.

“I have a spine.”

He laughs and touches my cheek. “I know that. You took on two Murphys all by yourself. I know you’re brave.”

“But you think when it comes to my family, I’ll be weak?” I frown.

He mulls my question. “I think it’s always harder to go against family.

He’s not wrong.

“Even if the worst happens and Valentino kicks me out of the family, we’ll be okay.” I meet his worried gaze. “I’d live in a cardboard box with you if I had to.”

He smirks. “You say that because you’ve never lived in a cardboard box. I have and a little hothouse flower like you wouldn’t like it one bit.”

I scowl. “I can rough it when needed.”

He laughs outright. “If by roughing it you mean you have to drink brewed coffee instead of a latte, yeah, I can see that.”

“You’re so mean.” I grin. “I’d be fine so long as we got a really nice cardboard box. You know, like a refrigerator box, not a dishwasher box.”

He smiles affectionately and pushes up on his toes to kiss me. “If it comes to that, I’ll get us two refrigerator boxes and we can have a sort of suite situation.”

I hug him. “Connor, so long as you’re with me, I’d live in a donut box.”

****

Connor and I are in Valentino’s study and you could cut the tension with a knife. I asked Nico and Mother to be there as a stabilizing influence, and it seems my brother invited Dario too. I’m not really surprised that Valentino wanted Dario by his side right now, but I’m feeling irritable because both Valentino and Dario are glowering at Connor as if he’s here to steal the china.

Mother sits in a leather chair with her hands clasped demurely in her lap, and Nico is perched on the arm of her chair, looking a bit like a cat as he watches his husband. Valentino is currently pacing up and down the room, like a caged tiger.

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