Page 5 of Omega in Hiding

I grimace, uneasiness rippling through me. “I’m not judging you. I… I only ask because I don’t want anything to do with the Mafia. I mean, the Mafia lifestyle. Since this is a live-in position, I can’t help but worry I might be exposed to certain things if I agree to work for you.”

“You didn’t know who we were before you arrived?” Alessio looks surprised. “I’d have thought the agency would have told you a little bit about us.”

“Usually, I’d get a full report about the family before the meetup. Because of who you are, I suspect they purposely withheld information for privacy reasons.” I sigh. “If I’m honest, I might have turned down the interview had I known.”

“Really?” Alessio wrinkles his brow. “But why? We’re just people in need of your expertise.”

“Yes.” I nod. “It’s just, as I’m sure you well know, Mafia life isn’t like normal life. It can be very violent, and I prefer to avoid that sort of thing.”

Alessio laughs gruffly. “We don’t hold syndicate meetings here, or have a torture chamber downstairs. I do my best to keep that world away from Baby Joesph. When he’s older I may not have that luxury, but for now, he’s nowhere near that world.”

Some of the tension seeps from me. “Okay, that’s what I was wondering.” If Alessio is telling the truth, working for them would probably be safe enough. Short term. The odds of me running into anyone from the Murphy Clan would be slim.

“Do you have a particular reason for your aversion to all things Mafia?” Dario’s voice is now hard, and his gaze unfriendly. Gone is the gentle alpha who asked for my help only moments ago. I don’t really blame him for feeling defensive. I’m sure he thinks I’m judging him, despite my words to the contrary.

“Not really.” I avoid his gaze, unwilling to be honest. Even if I worked for them for a decade, I’d never tell them about my connections to the Murphy Clan. Not only do I find my family embarrassing, but I trust no one but me to keep my whereabouts secret. “I just know how violent that lifestyle can be.”

“Hmmm,” Dario says, studying me.

I meet his wary gaze. “If my discomfort with your world means you don’t want me to work for you, I understand.”

Alessio gives a sharp intake of breath. “We’re not saying that, are we Dario?” He gives his alpha a pointed look. “All we’re saying is you don’t have to worry about that life converging with our home life. They’re separate and we like it that way.”

I know enough to understand there’s truly no way for the two worlds never to overlap, but I believe Alessio is trying to keep Baby Joesph as far away from that world as possible fornow. “Then, if you still want me to work for you, I can do that.” I smile at Alessio since he’s the more receptive of the two at the moment.

Relief paints his features. “Yes, we want you. I… I need you.” He gives an embarrassed laugh, and gestures to the baby still sleeping peacefully in my arms. “The sooner you can start, the better.”

I meet Dario’s enigmatic gaze. “Are you still on board with hiring me?” I ask.

I see pride glittering in his eyes. I suspect a part of him resents that I questioned what an honor it is to work for him. He probably wants to put me in my place and reject my offer to work for them. But then he glances at Alessio, taking in his hopeful expression, and he visibly softens. “Whatever Alessio wants or needs, I’m always on board for.”

Alessio lets out a shaky breath. “Thank you, Dario.”

Dario slips his arm around Alessio’s slender waist. “Of course, love.”

I move toward them and hold the sleeping baby out to Alessio. “Things will be much easier from here on out.” I smile reassuringly at Alessio. “Before you know it, you’ll wonder why you ever needed me in the first place.”

“I don’t know about that,” murmurs Alessio, staring down at the sleeping infant.

“I’ll let the agency know we’re compatible, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I plan on letting myself out of the mansion, but Dario follows me.

“I’ll be right back,” he says to Alessio. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle as he walks behind me to the front door. Iopen it but before I can leave, he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Hold up a minute,” he says softly.

I stop and face him, feeling intimidated by the raw aggression that radiates off of him. He’s no longer touching me, but still I can’t help but feel uneasy. “Was there something else?” I ask, my voice wobbling annoyingly.

“Tell me the truth about why our syndicate ties bother you,” he rumbles, his gaze piercing.

I swallow hard, and drag my gaze from his. “There’s no real reason. I just know that where the Mafia goes, so goes violence.”

“You’re lying to me.” His voice is cold. “What’s your connection to the Mafia?”

“I have n… no connection.”

He leans toward me. “Tell me thetruth.”

He’s obviously not going to let me just brush him off. Panic sweeps through me as I search my brain for a lie he might buy. There’s no way I can be candid with him. My thoughts jump to a true story my Da told me. “Well… uh… my reasons are rather personal,” I stall.

“I need you to explain yourself.” His tone is unrelenting.

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