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She picked up the CD. “I can’t watch the videos. Not yet.”
“Of course, Liliana,” he said softly, understanding in his eyes. “I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to face this alone.”
“Thank you, Nicholas,” I said, my voice shaky and raw. He gave me a small, reassuring smile, and I knew that he would do anything in his power to uncover the truth.
“Let’s put this away for now,” he suggested, carefully gathering the photos back into their envelope and placing the CD within it. With a gentle touch, he guided me away from the evidence and led me back to the couch, where we sat down together. I leaned into him, seeking solace in his strength and unwavering support.
“Whatever comes of this, Liliana, I want you to know that I will never stop loving you,” he murmured against my hair, his breath warm on my scalp. “We’ll find justice for your mother, no matter where it leads us. I promise.”
Chapter 7
Liliana
There I was, alone in our bedroom, my hand tenderly cradling the small swell of my stomach. The weight of my secret bore down on me, and I knew I’d have to tell him soon. I knew that Nicholas had much to deal with at present, and the worry of me and a baby could distract him from the other things which required his attention. My heart ached at the thought of keeping this from him, but I also knew that the Romano family’s survival hinged on his focus.
I found myself pacing nervously in our bedroom, rehearsing what I would say to him. We had never really talked about children or birth control, and I didn’t know if he even wanted to have children at all.
My mind wandered back to when we first met, a whirlwind romance that led us to this moment. Nicholas was always so focused on the family business, and I never wanted to distract him from that. But now, with a baby on the way, everything felt more complicated.
My mind wandered, as if seeking solace in the silence that surrounded me. As I paced back and forth across the plush carpet, the quiet interrupted only by the soft thuds of my footsteps, I wondered if some good news would be welcome amidst everything else going on.
Maybe he needs something positive to hold onto, I thought.
I paused in front of the tall mirror, examining my reflection. The deep brown eyes staring back at me were filled with joy and anticipation, and I knew there was no way I could keep this secret for long. My hand automatically moved to my stomach, feeling the soft swell that was barely noticeable yet. But to me, it felt like a giant beacon, broadcasting my news to anyone who looked at me.
I looked at my watch and realized that Nicholas would be finished working soon. He had been sequestered in his study for hours, going over everything he could find about my mother’s death. I couldn’t stand to be in there while he, Riccardo, Enzo, and the other men talked about my parents.
The door opened, and Nicholas entered the room. His tall, broad-shouldered frame filled the doorway, jet black hair slightly tousled from running his fingers through it during long hours of work. His eyes were immediately drawn to my anxious expression, and concern etched itself across his handsome face.
“Darling,” he said, his voice laced with worry, “what’s wrong? You look troubled.”
I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. This was not just about me or the baby; it was about us – our future together. It was about the love we shared and the strength that had kept us going through all the trials we had faced, both within our family and the world beyond.
“Nicholas,” I said in a rush, “there’s something you need to know.”
“Go on, Liliana. You can tell me anything,” Nicholas urged gently.
“I...I went to the doctor today,” I stuttered out, feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. “And...I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, there was complete silence in the room. Nicholas’s face remained unreadable as he processed this news. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady.
“Pregnant?” he repeated. “How long have you known?”
“Not long,” I admitted. “A few weeks. But I wanted to be sure before telling you.”
“That’s why you’ve been acting so strange lately,” he said softly, almost to himself.
“I didn’t want to burden you with this during everything else going on with the family,” I explained.
Nicholas’s expression softened and he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. “You could never be a burden to me,” he reassured.
“Are you sure?” he asked cautiously, trying to mask his own excitement and vulnerability.
“Absolutely,” I replied confidently, feeling a newfound strength within me. “We’re going to be parents, Nicholas.”
He crossed the room in three strides to take me in his arms. “This is the best news, Liliana,” he said into my hair, his breath hot against my ear. “I would die for you and our child.”
My heart swelled at his words, a bittersweet mixture of love and fear. I knew the depths of his devotion, but I also understood the weight of responsibility that came with it. As the wife of a mafia boss, I was well-versed in the delicate dance between love and power. “Let’s hope it never comes to that.”
