Page 23 of Omega in Hiding

“Oh.” I try not to let his lack of enthusiasm get me down. I attempt once more to connect with him on a personal level. “And here I hoped you’d have missed me.”

He flicks his blank gaze to mine. “Why would I?”

Ouch.

Refusing to be deterred, I say, “I enjoyed your company the other day. I thought maybe you enjoyed mine too. It’s nice to have someone my age around the place. Dario and Alessio are so caught up in each other, it can get lonely sometimes.”

He pulls his gaze from mine. “To be honest, I forgot you were staying at the house.”

My face warms at his dismissive attitude, but I try to cover that with bravado. “I don’t believe that for one minute. I’m far too charming.”

He arches one light brow. “Are you?”

“I’m a delight, remember?”

He doesn’t respond to me, instead giving a tired little sigh.

I’m sorry, am I boring you?

I meet Enzo’s yellow gaze in the rearview mirror. He looks amused, which annoys me greatly. He apparently thinks it’s funny that I’m working so hard to get Connor’s attention. I don’t find it very funny. Most omegas would have already been in the palm of my hand. Connor’s beginning to piss me off. Not only ishe not responding how I want. He’s not even being nice about it. I haven’t done a damn thing to him other than help him out a few times. What possible reason does he have to give me the cold shoulder?

Our mostly one-sided conversation ends because we pull into the parking lot of the expansive park. Enzo gets out first, checking the area for bad actors. Since the coast is clear, he opens the door for Connor who has unhooked the baby from his car seat. Connor slips out of the SUV with the child as Enzo runs around the vehicle to open my door next.

Once the baby is in the stroller, Connor and I head for a path that winds through the park. Enzo hangs back allowing us some privacy, while still able to keep an eye on us. Connor continues to fixate on the baby, while I walk quietly beside the stroller.

I inhale the fresh air, trying to push my irritation at Connor away. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, then I’ll just enjoy the park. The grass that surrounds us is lush and freshly mowed. Ahead, a pond reflects the azure sky, tranquil and dotted with ducks that glide across the surface or waddle along the banks. Sycamore trees line our path their mottled trunks and sprawling branches providing patches of shade.

Nearby, children's laughter rings out from a playground, while the distant aroma of barbecue drifts over from a picnic area. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves, carrying with it the faint sound of a guitar—someone is playing music under the shelter of the gazebo.

“It’s nice here,” I say, forgetting I’m irritated with him for a moment. But Connor just grunts, reminding me he’s being a pill. Never one to quit easily, I say, “I’m glad I get to spend some one on one time with you.” I give him a flirty smile.

He shrugs. “I guess.”

“You don’t agree?”

“I’m really just here for Baby Joesph.”

I grit my teeth at how boorish he’s being, and focus once more on the beautiful surroundings. I have no idea why he suddenly has a bug up his ass with me, but I won’t let it ruin my day. I’m out of that stifling office and I want to enjoy the moment. Who knows when Dario will let me out again?

The scent of freshly cut grass reminds me of my childhood. Not that my childhood was like a regular family’s. My dad was never out mowing the lawn on a Saturday morning. Although, that would have been quite a sight; my austere father pushing a lawn mower in his usual black suit and red tie. I smile to myself, fondly remembering my father. Valentino is more like him than I ever was.

I’m jarred from my memories when shots suddenly ring out. Startled, I stop walking as Enzo yells at us to get down. I hear a bullet whiz by my ear as I turn to instinctively shield Connor and Baby Joesph. My intention is to get Connor, the baby, and myself down behind a bench to the side of the path.

But before I can make that happen, two burly guys in dark suits step out from behind one of the ancient sycamore trees near us. One of them lifts his gun and points it right at me. I’ve been verbally threatened many times, but this is the first time I’ve ever had anyone actually train a gun on me at close range. Judging from the cold way the guy is looking at me, he has no qualms about pulling the trigger.

Being born into the family I was born into, I’ve imagined this scenario many times. An attempt on my life has always been a very real possibility. I always assumed I’d be more preparedwhen it happened. I figured that my self-preservation instincts would kick in fast. But as I stare down the gunman, I’m frozen. Numb. I feel the weight of my handgun in my suit pocket, but there’s no time to draw it. Enzo is firing at the men from behind us, and one of the guys falls.

But not the guy pointing the gun at me.

When Connor grabs me and shoves me down to the ground, he takes me by complete surprise. I end up face first in the grass, my mind spinning with confusion. I lift my head as Connor scrambles over my prone body, kneeling in front of me. I watch in complete shock as he pulls a small silver handgun from an ankle holster. Without hesitation, he fires at the remaining gunman three times fast.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The guy with the Glock screams and collapses, writhing on the ground. I’m stunned at what just happened as Enzo advances on the guy, and puts a bullet in his head.

“Asshole,” Enzo hisses, glaring at the guy’s corpse.

Connor falls back on his ass, breathing hard.“Fuck,”is all he says.

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