Page 38 of Omega in Hiding

I reach Connor’s room and I knock softly. There are no sounds from inside his room, so I open the door. There’s no sign of Connor. I step into the room, noticing the bed is made. I go to the bathroom, but it’s empty. Anxiety eats at me as I stare around the big, empty room. On a whim, I go to the dresser and open the top drawer. My stomach sinks when I find the drawer is empty.

“What the hell?” I rasp, beginning to open each drawer. When I find they’re all empty, I feel sick. I turn and hurry to the closet.

Empty.

Shock rocks through me as I try to grasp what that means. Connor left. Connor is gone. He left without a word.Why?Why the hell would he just take off like that? It’s obvious Alessio and Dario have no clue he’s gone. None of us had a clue he was gone. He snuck off like a thief in the night.

I sit on the edge of his bed feeling sick to my stomach. I’m in complete shock that he’s just….gone. No goodbye. No warning. I’ve done nothing but think about him and worry about him all night, and meanwhile he was planning his escape? But why did he feel theneedto escape? To leave without a word? It makes no sense to me.

Did the violence of yesterday bring up painful memories of what happened to his sister? Was it too much for him to handle, so he just ran away? Why didn’t he come talk to me? I would have tried to comfort him. I’d have done my best. I rub my face roughly, trying to grasp that he’s truly gone from my life. I can’t believe how gutted I feel. Once more, I’m confused by why I feel so intensely connected to Connor.

He apparently doesn’t share my feelings because he left without a word. Not one fucking word.

I stand, my legs feeling shaky. I’ve told myself a million times I barely know Connor, yet I feel like a rib is missing now that he’s gone. The idea I’ll never talk to him again, or kiss him again is so incredibly painful. I can’t believe how sad the thought of losing him forever makes me feel. I’m embarrassed by how hurt and gutted I am.

I need to tell Alessio and Dario because they think he’s going to be there to help with Baby Joesph today. I leave Connor’s room, still reeling with shock. I find that Alessio and Dario are still in the sun room. When I enter the room, they both look up. Dario is holding Baby Joesph so he’s a little distracted. Alessio is the first to notice my distress.

“What’s wrong, Paolo?” Alessio frowns. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I swallow hard. “Connor is gone.”

“Gone?” Alessio repeats blankly.

Dario rumbles, “What do you mean he’s gone?”

“He’s not in his room. His stuff is missing.” I sit down across from Alessio.

Blinking at me, Alessio says, “You’re saying he’s gone for good?”

“Well, he took everything with him.” I grimace. “I think that means yeah, he doesn’t plan on coming back.”

“When did he leave?” Dario asks harshly, handing the baby to Alessio.

“I have no idea. I… I think he must have left last night because Maria took him a dinner tray, but he didn’t touch it.”

“Maria said when she took his dinner tray up last night he was very quiet. Subdued even.” Alessio wrinkles his brow. “I just assumed that was because he was tired.”

“Why would he need to leave like that?” Obviously, no one but Connor could answer my question, but I still feel compelled to ask. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why sneak out?”

“I knew something was off with that kid,” Dario growls.

“Oh, yeah?” I give him an impatient glance. “Well, he probably left because of you, Dario.”

Dario lifts his dark brows. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” I snap. “You were constantly riding him and threatening him with his job.”

Scowling, Dario retorts, “Bullshit. The only thing I warned Connor about was getting too close toyou, Paolo. He was a great manny. I just didn’t want him trying to get too personally involved with you.”

“Why was that any of your business?” I shake my head. “You had no right to butt into our friendship. You made him uncomfortable. I’m sure you’re the reason he ran.”

Alessio exhales. “Paolo, stop it. Dario didn’t do anything wrong. He was just protecting you. We didn’t know much about Connor. He didn’t like to talk about himself. Dario was simply looking out for you because he cares about you.”

“More like he’s a control freak,” I mumble. “He didn’t like that Connor and I had a connection.”

Dario laughs harshly. “You’re damn straight I didn’t want you two having aconnection.”

“What did it matter to you?” I rasp.

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