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Almost immediately, realization dawns on me. I can’t tell Tony the truth. My mind travels back to my conversation with Roman a month ago, when he all but threatened me not to say a word of what we did. Something painful lodges in my throat.
“I’m sorry,sorella.We’re in the middle of a gang war. And I’m not sure when it’ll be over. I don’t think I can come,” my brother apologizes.
“No, it’s fine,” I breathe. “Do what you have to do. Just don’t die. Please.”
“I won’t. I love you, sis.”
“I love you, too.”
He hangs up and I stare at the wall for several beats, trying to control my breathing. After a while, I dial my other lifeline. The only other person I know that can help me out of this.
“Lena?” Kiara says after picking up.
“Kie, I need you,” is all I manage to say before the dam bursts and I start to sob.
* * *
Kiara arrivesin Boston the next day. I take the day off and wait for her in my apartment. When she arrives, she takes one look at my face, before pulling me into a hug.
“You still haven’t told me what’s wrong,” she says five minutes later. “I’m worried, Lena.”
We’re seated on my couch. Kiara’s holding a cup of lemonade.
“I’m not dying,” I mumble. “And I’m not in debt or being chased by a serial killer.”
My first instinct is to make a joke when I feel cornered. It’s a bad habit. Kiara’s eyes narrow and it’s pretty clear she’s not impressed.
“You curled your hair. It’s pretty,” I say in an obvious attempt to buy myself more time.
“Thank you. But stop stalling,” she says.
My chest heaves as I let out a small sigh. Not wanting to draw it out any longer, I say the words.
“I’m pregnant.”
The pronouncement rings around the room. Kiara’s eyes widen in surprise.
“You’re what?”
“Pregnant, Kiara. As in, I am having a baby.”
“You’re pregnant?” she whispers, her eyes still wide and her expression slightly dazed.
“Yep. But you might want to dial it down on the shock a little. I’m not done,” I state.
Her eyebrows furrow and I almost want to laugh. She has no idea what bomb I’m about to drop.
“The baby belongs to none other than Roman De Luca.”
It takes a few seconds for the implications of that sentence to land. Kiara’s expression shifts from confusion to horror and lands on disbelief. It’s pretty comical.
“Very funny,” she says, laughing nervously. “Would you please be serious, Lena?”
“I am being serious,” I say softly. “Roman and I slept together. And now I’m carrying the product of it in my womb. I know it sounds crazy. Believe me, I’m this close to losing it myself.”
Kiara stares at me for a second. “You slept with Roman De Luca!” she practically screams. “As in, you had sex with him?”
“Yes, Kiara. I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept,” I deadpan.
