Page 26 of Omega in Hiding

He seems thrown by my response and he hesitates. “Because you’re around a baby.”

“Yes. A baby who just happens to be the son of one of the most powerful figures in the Black Knives syndicate. It wasn’t a reach to know that something bad could happen. I wanted to be prepared.”

A muscle works in his cheek. “Where did you learn to shoot like that? Enzo says you were no novice.”

“I told you before that I know how to shoot.”

“You’re evading my question.” He leans closer. “Where did you learn toshoot?”

“If you must know, my father taught me.” That’s not a lie. He doesn’t need to know who my father is, or why learning to shoot was a necessity. “Lots of people know how to shoot guns, Dario. I don’t know why everyone is so fucking surprised that I can handle a gun.”

“When I hired you, you seemed uneasy about working for anyone connected to the Mafia. You implied you hated the violence.”

“That’s right. That’s all still true. Just because I can handle a gun doesn’t mean I enjoy violence. I don’t. I hate it.” I sigh. “But Paolo would have died today, or at the very least been seriously injured, if I hadn’t acted. Enzo wasn’t going to be able to stop the guy. So I did.”

He jabs his finger at me. “See, this kind of shit is why I don’t trust you. I know there’s shit you’re hiding from me.”

I press my lips tight, but then say, “If you want to fire me, fire me. But I’m getting really tired of your threatening tone. I did nothing wrong. I saved Paolo’s life. While, apparently, nobody butmeseems to think that was a good idea, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

“Of course I’m glad Paolo is alive. That isn’t what I’m saying at all.”

“Then why is everyone so upset with me? If I hadn’t had a gun, he’d probably be dead. Why isn’t anyonethankingme?” I say in an exasperated tone. “Jesus Christ, you’re all nuts.”

He narrows his eyes. “Watch your tone with me, Connor.”

I grimace. “Well, I’m frustrated. I did what I did out ofinstinct. I feel I did the right thing too, but everyone is pissed at me. It makes no sense.”

I expect Dario to come back with some rude comment, but he doesn’t. He falls silent, watching me. He clears his throat. “Enzo says you also protected Baby Joesph.”

“Of course.” I wrinkle my brow. “He was my responsibility.”

“Yes,” he murmurs. “But some people would have simply saved their own skin.”

I hold his gaze, not sure how to respond. “I… I would never do that. I’ll always protect the kid’s I take care of first.”

He slumps down onto one of the leather chairs nearby, rubbing his face. Blowing out a harsh breath, he glances up at me. “I’m grateful to you for saving my son and Paolo. Thank you, Connor. Thank you for acting swiftly.”

Surprised at the sudden change in his demeanor, I nod. “Of course.”

“I still say you’re hiding shit from me.” He grimaces. “But whatever it is your hiding, apparently it isn’t a grudge against those I care about.”

“No,” I say quietly. “I have nothing against any of you. I’m here because Alessio and you needed my expertise with Baby Joesph. That’s it. I have no ulterior motives.”

“But you don’t deny you’re hiding stuff?” He narrows his eyes.

I hesitate. “Everyone has a past. What I’m not bothering to share with you is personal. It has no bearing on my job here.”

“It better not.”

I shift uneasily. “You don’t have to continually threaten me. I think I’ve proved that I have your family’s best interest at heart.”

He grunts, but he looks less aggressive than earlier in the day. We seem to have reached a fragile truce of sorts. I hope so. I can’t live under constant threats from Dario.

I clear my throat. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go check on Alessio and Baby Joesph.” I also want to see Paolo, but I definitely won’t share that. Dario doesn’t want me anywhere near Paolo. But I’m compelled to see him, and try to sooth his wounded pride somehow.

It was hard not talking to Paolo today. It was awful being cold to him when he was trying so hard to connect with me. I felt like a complete asshole rejecting his friendship, but at the time, Dario’s warning to keep Paolo at arm’s length had been burned into my brain. Now though, I feel I need to ignore that warning and do what I feel is right. I want to comfort Paolo however he needs.

“You can go.” Dario appears distracted now.

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