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“Your son is thirty-one and still not promised. You cannot judge me for not taking a wife yet. I’m telling you, I will marry your daughter. I will marry the mother of my child as I should. We have no bond between our cities, why not make one?” Al stands and positions himself behind me, I glance up at him, and he gives me a small grin.
This is not where I expected today to go. I also didn’t expect my father to try to take my baby from me. I feel so hurt. He was so kind to me last night. Both he and Nic have broken my heart in the last twenty-four hours.
“Dante, we should consider this. Carmella would have security and wouldn’t have to give up her child.” Momma walks over to my papa’s side.
“Ma, it’s not that simple. He has brought shame to our family. She’s carrying his bastard, and he thinks he can just take her from us. Hell, the arrogant bastard thinks he can tell us what to do with Mia also,” Nic hisses.
“So help me, Nic, if you disrespect her or my child one more time, I don’t care what it will mean for me. I will end you.” Al squeezes my shoulders as he delivers his warning.
“And how do you propose we play this?” Papa looks to Al.
“Pa, you cannot seriously be considering this,” Nic argues.
“OUT! Now, Nic. I’ve had enough of you. My only child to disappoint me today is you. Now, leave.”
Nic’s eyes go wide, full of anger, and I’m sure he actually growls. Nic storms out of the office and slams the door.
Papa looks to Al for his response.
“We’ll marry quickly. Cam can still stay out of the public eye until the baby is here. As for dates, we can say the baby came early if anyone was to ask.”
“You’ve thought this through?” There is further meaning to Papa’s question.
Al isn’t deterred, he reads the unasked questions.
“I’m sorry for any disrespect I have brought to both our families. Did I plan this? No, absolutely not. Is the reason for my marriage to your daughter only for our unborn child? No, I would happily marry your daughter.” Al’s declaration definitely appeases my papa.
“Where do you propose this wedding takes place?” Papa enquires.
“Leo has recently moved into his new mansion. I’m sure there would be no issue holding it there. You also have the connection with Beatrice being your niece. I suggest only the families that know of the pregnancy be present,” Al suggests.
“When are you thinking? Carmella is already ten weeks along.” Papa shakes his head at the mention of how far into my pregnancy I am.
“I’m sure we can arrange it for next weekend. That gives us six days to arrange something small,” Rafael offers.
Well, it looks like the De Luca men came with a plan.
Just the thought of being married causes me to shiver. The idea of living in New York brings its own positives. I’d get to see Bea all the time, and once Nell is married to Maximus, she’ll also be in New York until Maximus moves back to Detroit to take over from his father as underboss.
“I’m sure we can sort something out. I can speak to Elena and Viviana to get them to help me organize it from here.” Momma nods her head. Elena is Leonardo’s mom, and Aunt Viviana is Bea’s mom.
“You are okay with this, Carmella?” Papa turns to me.
Al squeezes my shoulders. I’m not sure if it’s in support or warning me not to mess his plan up.
“You mean compared to your and Nic’s wonderful idea to take my baby from me? I’d say I’m fine with this,” I deadpan.
“Carmella,” Momma hisses at me.
“No, Momma. Yes, I messed up, but after how Nic has behaved and to find out you and Papa are trying to sell me off to Chicago, I’ll happily become a De Luca. My child will have that name, and we’ll both wear it with pride.” I stand and turn to face Al.
“Will you wait for me to pack?” I ask Al.
“You will stay here until we travel to New York together, Carmella.” Papa’s voice is raised with his order.
I turn my head to look at him. “Forgive me if I do not feel safe in this house with my unborn child.” I shake my head. “I will feel safer with Alessandro, if he’s happy to take me with him. If not, he can drop me at Bea’s. I won’t stay in this house a moment longer than necessary.” I look to Al, and his eyes narrow in on my face. Probably trying to work out why I want to leave. I speak the truth. I don’t trust my brother not to do something stupid.
Al looks to me and nods.
