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He’s instantly crouching down in front of me, framing in my face with his hands. “Talk to me, sweetheart. What happened?”
I gasp for some air, my body trembling. “I’m pregnant, Dad,” I whisper, and hear him pull in a sharp breath. “I'm not gonna tell you who the father is. But I cannot stay in Denver anymore. I just don't want him to know about the baby.”
He releases a harsh breath as he gets to his feet.
“Are you sure about this?” he questions, and I know he's not asking about the baby. He's asking about my decision to leave.
“It's all I've thought about all morning. Dad, he's in the same world you are. I can't put my baby through what I went through with you. Being second best, hurt. Knowing that no matter what happens, I will never come first… I want my baby to have an amazing life. I want him or her to be happy and feel loved,” I tell him as the tears continue to tumble down my face. “I don’t want them to feel the way I did. Unloved. So yes, I am sure.”
His eyes narrow, but he doesn't say anything. And I know he's feeling what I said. I hate that I may have hurt him with my words, but I need him to understand my decision.
“I need some way to build a life, Dad. I need to be able to live happily with my baby without having to worry about yours or my baby's father's enemies coming for me.” I give him a weak, wobbly smile. “I know you've done a great job keeping me hidden from everyone, but that's only gonna last for so long. I need to be out of Denver.”
He doesn't even hesitate. He nods instantly. “Whatever you want, Gabby. I'm here for you, no matter what. Find a place, tell me what you want, and we'll get it done.”
The relief that washes through me is unlike anything I have ever felt before. Gratitude, love, and acceptance. That's all I felt from him. He may not have been the best dad, maybe not have been the world's greatest father, but he's trying. He's doing everything he can for me. I love him, I always have, but what he’s doing for me, for my baby—for his grandchild… it’s something I’ll never forget, and can never repay.
We spend the next hour or so figuring out the perfect place for me to settle down and make a life for my baby. It takes a while, but we finally settle on Indianapolis. It's hours away from Denver, and it's someplace I know I can blend in. I hope that by being so far away, Alessio will never be able to find me.
Why would I be there? If Alessio does come to find me—something I doubt he’ll do since it’s been six weeks and I’ve not heard a single thing—he may think I've gone back to Spain or England.
I’ll always know there's a slight chance he could come looking for me, but I'm hoping that being somewhere as inconspicuous as Indianapolis will help me stay hidden.
Joe immediately starts looking for houses and properties for me to open a gallery and have a place to live. He knows what I want and love. I don't even have to tell him. He’s obviously paid attention to my life, something I never thought of before. But it’s so nice to know that while I was thinking I was second best, he was making sure he knew everything about me. He may not have been at all my important things, but he’s here now.
“Are you okay?” he questions after he gets off the phone to a realtor.
I swallow hard. Maybe now is the time to be completely honest with him. I want him to know that no matter what, I’m glad he’s my dad, and I love him so much.
“I know my existence hasn’t been easy for you. It's caused you a lot of heartache, especially with your wife, and it's caused you a lot of fear that one day your enemies would uncover our relationship.” I give him a soft smile. “We started off rocky, Dad, we really did, but we’ve worked through everything, and I can honestly say you are the best man I know.” It’s true, even though some things may not be what I like or expect, he’s still the greatest man I know. “I love you, Dad, and I’m so thankful you’re here with me. I couldn't ask for a better person to help.” I know that if my mum found out that Dad knew about my pregnancy before her, she’d hit the roof, but I can’t deal with Carmella right now. She’s overbearing, and she’ll demand I move back to Spain. Something I don’t want to happen.
He pulls me into his arms, and I begin to cry again. God, I hope I’m not this emotional all the time.
“No matter what, Gabby, I'm always gonna be here for you,” he promises me.
I look up at him and see the sincere smile on his face.
“You're gonna be a grandpa,” I tell him, finally seeing the goodness in this. I feel happy and relieved to be starting again. I'm going to ensure that me and my baby have the best life I can give us.
He straightens. “Oh, my God. I'm going to be a granddad,” he says, his words filled with pride and joy. I watch as his face falls and his expression hardens. He shakes his head. “I promise you now, Gabby, I’m going straight.” I freeze at his words, unable to believe he’s actually saying them.
“I may not have been the best father to you. I'm going to try, and I'm gonna be the best grandfather there is. Just as I should have been the best man I could be for you.”
I don't say anything. I don't believe him. I've listened to one too many empty promises before. But I do see that he truly believes he can do this. And for that alone, I just smile.
I won’t be in Denver when the baby's born, which means my father will be able to visit without the worry of us being hurt. And that is all I care about.
My child being safe and us being happy.
Chapter 8
Alessio
“So, not only have these fucks gunned down innocent people, their drugs are sending people to the hospital,” Romero growls as he paces Makenna and Dante’s office.
Once again, when shit hits the fan, everyone turns up at the Gallagher compound. The house used to belong to Makenna’s father, Seamus, but the old man was gunned down outside while trying to protect my sister-in-law, his granddaughter, Holly. Now it’s the headquarters for all things Famiglia and Clann. Whenever there’s family meetings or any planning, it goes down here. It’s become a place of foreboding. Nothing good ever comes from being here anymore.
“How many?” Makenna asks, just as her brother Finn steps into the office with a scowl on his face.
