AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nah,” I tell him, shaking my head as I start to walk back into the restaurant. “You raised me to get shit done, no matter the consequence. And that’s what I’m doing. Now, I have to go. I—”
“And the fucking Greco girl? The cartel’s sloppy seconds? Wait!” His voice rises a few octaves. “The DeSantises’ sloppy seconds. I heard the cartel had her and didn’t even want her.”
Good. So word got to him that the “cartel” put her into the auction.
Just as I hoped.
The ignorant asshole still has no idea that it was us who broke Sofia and Evelina free of the house. Still believes it was all the cartel. This is good. He can just go right on thinking that and keep himself in fucking hiding for the rest of his miserable life. I don’t mind taking the fall for this family dividing as long as Gabriel continues believing the cartel is onto him.
“Well, I need a wife now that I’m boss. You taught me that, didn’t you? A man in power needs a woman by his side. Needs a trophy.”
“At least I taught you something,” he grits out. “Where is Stefano?”
“Gotta go,” I say, unwilling to tell Gabriel shit else.
It feels so fucking good finally telling him how it is after all these years. I wish I could’ve done it to his face, but it was too risky. This will have to suffice until I see the fucker again.
“Enjoy the beach. Or wherever the fuck you are. Because sooner or later, The Blood Syndicate is going to catch up to you, old man. I hope you’re ready, because if you think you’re evil, they are ten times worse. Now, don’t fucking call me again.” I hang up on him.
I need to fucking figure out who the real rat is.
Who is talking to Gabriel? And how?
38
EVELINA
A baby store.
I step over the threshold as bells ding, and I’m hit with a lullaby drifting softly through the speaker. I realize my palm has subconsciously been rubbing away at my small baby bump as Giana places her arm around my shoulder.
“It’s time to get you excited about this little babe you have on the way,” she whispers, pulling me in close to her.
I scan what seems like endless racks of infant clothes. Everything from onesies to cute little two-piece outfits, swaddles, pacifiers, small stuffed animals, and hair bows… This place isn’t lacking anything.
It’s a small shop near my bookstore, one I thought I’d never walk into because I never dreamed of being a mother. That was Enzo’s dream…not mine.
This world is too fucked up for softness.
And babies are sweet and soft and so, so innocent and impressionable.
I just never imagined bringing one into the world as it is now.
Not with men who do things like what happened to my sister.
Or what Gabriel did to Sofia…
It’s too dangerous.
“Oh my gosh!” Giana smiles wide, her beautiful white teeth on full display as she holds up a tiny newborn onesie with pink flamingos on it. “Can you please have a girl? Please?!”
“Not sure that’s how it works, G,” I say with a laugh, flipping my long hair behind my shoulder.
It seems both Giana and Niccolò have the ability to make me feel at home even when I don’t want to. Must run in the family…at least a little. Maybe their mother isn’t a total piece of shit like Gabriel…
I wander around the cute boutique as Giana pulls things from time to time, showing them to me. We focus mostly on unisex blankets and newborn onesies since I have no idea what I’m having.
I think I’m still in a semi state of shock over being pregnant in the first place.
