Page 39 of Omega in Hiding

“Why?” Dario looks at me like I’m an idiot. “Valentino would skin me alive if I allowed you to become involved with our manny. Think about that for one minute, Paolo. Do you seriously think Valentino would have liked you frolicking with the hired help?”

“Connor was more than just his job.” My face twitches as I hold Dario’s furious stare. “I really liked him.”

“Youlikedhim?” Dario laughs. “Well, that’s adorable and all, but it was never going to go anywhere. You’re a Syracuse, kid.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Jesus,” Dario grumbles, face flushed. “You can’t get twitterpated over a lowly omega, and an Irish one at that.”

“I don’t care that he’s Irish.” I rake a hand through my hair, feeling jittery.

Dario gives a bark of a laugh. “You better care, seeing as we’re at war with the Irish right now.”

Alessio frowns. “Connor isn’t a part of that.”

Dario shrugs. “How would we know? He could have been sent here to spy on us. The O’Sullivans or the Murphys could have planted him in our home to murder us in our sleep.”

“If he’d wanted to hurt us, he wouldn’t have protected me and Baby Joesph at the park,” I snap.

“I agree with Paolo.” Alessio gives me a supportive nod, but he appears uneasy. It’s probably stressful to be on opposite sides from his alpha on the subject of Connor.

Dario scowls at Alessio. “You agree with him how?”

“I don’t think Connor was sent here to harm us.” Alessio lifts his chin stubbornly. “He helped us. He… he helped me to be a better father to Baby Joesph. There’s no reason to suddenly turn on him and think awful things. Something scared him and he ran. I suspect what happened at the park was the catalyst to his leaving.”

“Maybe.” Dario looks unconvinced. “Either way, there was always something off about him.”

“He was different in a good way.” I hold Dario’s irritable gaze. “He wasn’t jaded like the rest of us. He was gentle and kind. He was… special.” The disgust on Dario’s face makes my face feel hot. It’s obvious he’s annoyed at the idea I might have wanted to be closer to Connor.

“Special?” Dario repeats, curling his lip.

“Yes.” I don’t flinch from his angry glare. “And now he’s gone because you were such a bully to him.”

“Listen here, Paolo?” Dario begins roughly.

Alessio puts his hand on Dario’s arm. “Don’t be angry with him. It’s obvious they were closer than we realized.”

Dario gives his omega an impatient glance, but he shuts up.

My face is still hot as I hold Alessio’s curious gaze.

Alessio says softly, “You’re obviously very upset that Connor is gone, Paolo.”

“Yeah, I am.”

He hesitates. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Why?” I frown. While Alessio is less aggressive than Dario, neither one of them would approve of me and Connor having a relationship. Of that I have no doubt.

Alessio lifts one shoulder. “I’m interested in why you’re so hurt that Connor left without a word. It’s obvious you’re taking his sudden exit personally.”

I press my lips together, feeling confused and embarrassed. I am hurt that Connor left without a word. But they won’t understand why it hurt me, unless I’m completely honest with them. The thought of being completely candid makesmy stomach hurt. I highly doubt I’ll find compassion and understanding from either of them.

Alessio doesn’t wait for a response from me. “Did you and Connor get… close?”

I flinch but remain silent.

“You did, didn’t you?” Alessio grimaces. “Paolo, did you and Connor actually… sleep together?”

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