Page 156 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Affonso’s back hit the wall, and he shouted into hispalms as he ran his hands over his face. Then, he went deadly quiet. Emmawatched, wary and confused, and stood from the floor. Her knees hurt, and herthroat burned.

But she was alive.

“The baby will die,” Affonso said harshly. “Like thelast two have.”

Emma shook her head frantically. “No, no it won’t.They can monitor me. Put a stitch in my cervix, and the baby will be fine. Theypromise everything will be okay this time because they know. I can carry thechild to term.”

Affonso quieted again, still scowling at her.

“He wouldn’t betray me like that,” Affonso mumbled. “Calistowouldn’t do this to me, no matter how much he hated me.”

Emma didn’t know how to respond.

How could she?

The truth was right there.

“He wouldn’t,” Affonso repeated stronger,glaring at her.

“The Calisto downstairs might not betray you likethat, but the one you hurt, the boy you lied to for years, did it with afucking smile,” she said in a whisper.

Emma knew better than to taunt Affonso.

He was wild as it was.

Downright insane.

But she needed her moment. That one second to bedefiant, to be strong.

Because he made her weak and useless.

Affonso shoved off the wall in a flash, coming at heragain. Emma didn’t have time to move, and found herself barricaded to the wallonce more. This time, he held her there with his hands on her arms.

He didn’t choke her.

He didn’t hurt her.

He wouldn’t.

Emma knew it.

“I just got him back,” Affonso growled at her. “Myboy, I just got him back.”

He spat the words at her though clenched teeth.

Emma didn’t blink at his show of rage.

“He must never know, Emma. You cannot tell him aboutthe child, or what he did.”

“It’s his baby,” she hissed.

“My child,” Affonso corrected. “It will be mygoddamn boy—my child.”

Jesus Christ.

Emma wanted to refuse, but the hatred in Affonso’sgaze stopped her from saying anything.

“Deny me,” Affonso warned, “and I will kill you andthe baby.”