Page 77 of Omega in Hiding

“I guess,” Valentino grumbles.

Dario nudges Valentino’s arm. “I don’t see how you win this one, boss. Nico and your mother seem to like Connor,andhe’s pregnant to boot, so there goes that argument.”

Valentino puffs out his chest. “Sure, but I’m the deciding vote. It’s what I say that goes. If I say Connor is not allowed into the family, then he’s out. It doesn’t matter what Mother or Nico think.”

“That’s right.” Dario nods. “The alpha has to run the roost.”

“Amen,” Valentino says smugly.

“Valentino?” Nico calls out. “Can you please go get my fleece blanket for Connor, and my favorite pink pillow for his back? And could you hurry?”

Pink touches Valentino’s cheeks and he opens his mouth as if he’s about to argue. Then he sighs and says, “Yes, dear. I’ll be right back.” He lowers his head and leaves the room.

Dario and I look at each other and laugh.

“See what you have to look forward to, Paolo?” Dario says. “It’s not all about you anymore. It’s about your omega now too.”

I glance over at Connor. He looks a little overwhelmed with all the attention Mom and Nico are giving him. When our gazes meet, he gives me a weak smile and a thumbs up.

I grin back happily and say, “That suits me just fine, Dario.”

Chapter Seventeen

Connor

After I faint, the mood in the room changes drastically. Valentino stops yelling and glowering at me, and Mrs. Syracuse and Nico begin to hover like mother hens. Nico gets me a pillow and a blanket, and Mrs. Syracuse massages my shoulders. It’s a far cry from the hostile environment I walked into earlier. I’m not complaining. It’s a good thing. It’s important to me that Paolo’s family accepts me. Mostly because I know it’s important to him.

I assumed Paolo and I would go back to the Rosewood Inn after the meeting with his family. But Paolo’s mom and Nico insist we leave the Rosewood Inn and come to stay at the house immediately. They say it’s because they’re worried about the Murphy Clan ambushing us, but I suspect they just really like having a pregnant omega around to spoil.

While Paolo handles checking us out of the hotel, Nico take me upstairs to Paolo’s room. His bedroom exudes a refined elegance, with rich dark wood furniture polished to smooth glossy finish. The scent of aged leather from the oversized armchair mingles with the subtle scent of Paolo’s cologne. The king-sized bed is dressed in crisp white linens, and the headboard is upholstered in charcoal grey velvet.

Heavy, floor-length curtains in a deep navy shade, frame large windows, their texture thick and opulent, blocking out the light to create a cocoon like atmosphere. A plush, intricately woven Persian rug in muted earth tones covers the hardwood floor, adding a layer of warmth and sophistication.

I assume that Nico will leave the room once he’s shown me where it is, but that isn’t the case. Because I fainted, he insists that I get in bed, and he sits cross-legged near me, knitting a pair of yellow booties. He lit a candle when we entered the room and it flickers on the nightstand, filling the room with a pungent sandalwood scent.

I’m nervous at first because I’m not sure if I can speak freely around Nico. I don’t know Nico, although I’ve heard a lot about him while living in Dario and Alessio’s home. I do know that Valentino is wrapped around Nico’s little finger, which makes Nico a valuable ally.

“Is it true that you only slept with Paolo once, yet you got pregnant?” Nico asks softly.

I’m surprised he asked me such a personal question so quickly. But if I want to be his friend, I suppose I’ll need to be willing to talk about personal things. “Where did you hear that?”

“Dario.” Nico flicks his gaze to mine. “Was he telling the truth?”

My cheeks warm. “Yes.”

“And you thought you were barren?”

“I did.”

He gives a low whistle. “Paolo must have some potent sperm.”

I laugh. “You don’t hold back, do you?”

Nico shrugs. “If I hold back, I won’t get the gossip.”

I smile. “True. I definitely grew up thinking I was barren. I had two separate doctors tell me that.”

Nico gives a sly smile. “And yet, here you are with child. Isn’t the world a strange place?”

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