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“Did he ever come to the club?”
That’s private. That’s just between me and Laz. But he stripped all my defenses away when he disappeared, and even though I want to tell Mom it’s none of her business, she can see the truth as clear as day on my face. “Just once, but—”
Mom shoots to her feet and cries in outrage, “Did he pay you to dance for him?”
“He... I...” Tears are brimming on my lashes. Furious tears of hurt and pain.
How could you leave me behind to face this on my own, Laz?
Whereareyou?
Rieta pulls Mom back from me so I have space to breathe again. “That’s enough, Mom. Leave Mia alone.”
“I’m just trying to talk to my own daughter about—”
But Rieta’s not having it. “Give her a break. She’s pregnant, remember? Everyone, just take a moment to calm down. Would you like some coffee, Mom?”
Mom says yes, but she doesn’t go with Rieta. She stands over me, staring at me in cold, furious silence.
Laz promised me that no one would die because of his plan, but if I ever get my hands on him, I think I’m going to kill him.
Once Rieta hands Mom her coffee and sits down with us, Mom opens her handbag and pulls out a sheaf of documents.
“What are those?” Rieta asks.
“My divorce papers.”
“They’re not much use if you can’t find Laz,” Rieta points out.
“I’ll sign them, and then I’ll hand them over to a private detective who’ll track Lazzaro down. I can’t wait to have that man completely out of my life forever. It’s going to feel wonderful.” She toys with the papers and then glances at me. “What about you, Mia?”
“What about me?”
“Don’t you think we should do something about getting rid of Lazzaro from your life?”
“He’s very much not in my life, if you haven’t noticed,” I snap. If I did see him, what would I say to him?
Probably just scream at him.
Then a lot more screaming.
But after that?
I have no idea.
“No, darling. I mean...” Mom glances at my belly.
“The baby? What about the baby?”
“Don’t you think you should...” She delicately raises an eyebrow.
My confusion clears, and realizing what she means, I reply coldly, “I’m keeping my baby.”
“Shouldn’t you think about this?” Mom asks.
I don’t need to think. It doesn’t matter what Laz did or how he tricked me, this baby is here, and it’s mine.
Mom glances at Rieta, hoping for an ally, but Rieta looks on the verge of tears. Mom should know better than to have this conversation in front of her.
