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“Why wouldn’t you tell me this?” I breathe to myself.
My first thought is because it isn’t mine. However, I stop that train of thought because that’s not my Carleen. She’s always honest with me. If she were pregnant by someone else, she’d tell me.
I can’t see her cheating on me, and she said she wasn’t sleeping with that cocksucker she was seeing. Not wanting to jump to conclusions, I dial her phone to get the truth from her mouth.
“Hey, babe,” she answers, sounding so tired.
Now it all makes sense. Apollo, her always being so tired. She’s been pregnant all this time. I try not to lose my shit. She has to have a reason for keeping this secret from me.
“Hey. Carleen, is there something I should know?”
“Uh, like what? I emailed you the numbers for Anima Mias and added all the vacation requests.”
“I’m not talking about the restaurant. I don’t give a shit about that right now.”
She’s silent for a moment. I tell myself I can’t be angry with her. I was the one who didn’t use a condom.
“Carleen.”
“Yes?”
“We don’t have secrets.”
She scoffs. “The hell we don’t.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We’re not friends by accident, Dario. My family has been tied to yours from day one. I know who you people are. Your mother bought my family. Oh, there’s so much more,” she seethes.
“Car. Not now. Baby, calm down. The baby,” I say quickly.
She gasps. “How do you know?”
“I got a text— Never mind that. I know. We need to talk. How do you know all of that stuff? I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“My mom and dad. Rio, it’s a lot. I was related to Ms. Gwen.”
“What?”
“She was my father’s sister.”
“Fuck me. I don’t remember that. Listen, I want to know everything you know but not on this line. How are you doing? How’s my baby?”
“We’re fine,” she says with a smile in her voice. “I planned to tell you for Valentine’s. I still don’t know how it happened. We always used protection. That one time you pulled out couldn’t have been it. I was already pregnant by then.”
“Actually, Carleen. I’m so sorry. That first night I was so drunk. All I could think about was making love to you. I didn’t use a condom. This is my fault.”
“Your fault,” she whispers. “You don’t want it?”
“Fuck outta here. I’m so fucking happy. I need to get back home. I want to see you in person. My baby needs to hear my voice. Do you know what we’re having?”
“No, I was hoping you’d return soon. I wanted you there when I find out.”
I smile like an idiot. “I’m going to be a father. Carleen?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.” I close my eyes as I wait to hear the words from her lips.
“I love you too. I love you so much, Dario.”
My chest swells. This is a day I’ve only dreamed of. My mind starts to work on how I’m going to make it so she can come be with me. Nonno can double security, or we can go to Naples. Now that Dante has handled his father-in-law, maybe things are safer here.
“I need to figure a few things out, but I want you here.”
She releases a heavy breath. “I knew that was coming. You know that’s why I didn’t tell you before you left. I have a life here, Rio.”
“And you’re now carrying one of the most important lives to me. I need you and my baby with me. I want my wife in my arms when I wake.”
“We’re not married. Rio, slow down. Let me think.”
“Think about what? I’ve loved you all my life. I spent so much time denying myself the love I needed. I can’t spend another day denying myself that or you. I want you as my wife. I’m going to make that happen as soon as I can.”
“Wait, hold on. Give me a sec.” She moves away from the phone. “Hey, you don’t have to go. It’s late. Stay in one of the guest rooms. I’ll feel bad if something happens to you. You look tired.”
I start to see red. Who the fuck is she talking to? Is that why she wants to slow things down? There’s someone else.
I don’t share. And who the fuck does she have in my place? All rational thought leaves me.
“I just need to use the bathroom.” I reel my shit in as I recognize the voice as Jace’s.
“Okay,” she says, away from the phone. “Rio. Listen, babe, I’m super tired. We should talk later.
“I’m fifteen weeks pregnant and have been on my feet all day. My brain is mush. I hear what you want, and I want it too. It just has to make sense. You can’t lock me up and hold me in Italy until you plan to return. Let me think.”
