humiliation, not to mention jail time, I can kiss whatever future we may have had together goodbye.
But at least it’s over now. The hiding, the secrets. I can live my life honestly now. And it honestly hurts like fucking hell.
I am broken inside. I did the right thing, and now I’m going to suffer for it for the rest of my life. I had to do it. I don’t regret it. But hot damn, watching them replay this footage is like scooping my heart out with a melon baller and—
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
My hand shoots to my phone and silences the timer. The white plastic strip sits innocuously in front of me, like it has no idea how powerful it is. It has the power to change my life. It won’t bring Gabriel back, but it will certainly change his life too.
I wonder, as my shaking hand reaches for the stick, if I could have done things differently. If there was a way to save the city and Clara and everyone else who couldn’t save themselves, without kicking Gabriel to the wolves. Too late now, I guess. I did my best. Now I need to pay the piper.
I close my eyes, then pop one open and stare at the pregnancy test as though it might snap at me. Two red lines. I know what that means. I’ve done this song and dance before.
Harry is going to be a big brother.
I set the positive pregnancy test down beside its twin from the two-pack. Two tests. Four red lines. Suddenly everything that mattered so much two minutes ago seems to matter a lot less, because in less than nine months, I will be bringing another life into this world.
There is a light knock on the door and I look up.
Silvano Gambaro strides into the room, confidence radiating off him. I have met him only a couple of times, but it has been enough to form a pretty decent opinion. He’s young and cocky. His brother gave him all the knowledge to take over as Gabriel’s consigliere but none of the experience, but Silvano is clever enough to know that what he lacks in practice, he can always make up for in charisma.
I pull Harry across my lap, banding my arms around him. I don’t trust Silvano the way I trusted Vito. Vito was a good man with good ethics. For all I know, Silvano is just some young cowboy who wants to play with guns.
“You’ve seen the news, then?” Silvano flicks his chin toward the TV.
“Yep.” I hold his silver gaze, as if I might force him from the room with just a look.
Silvano takes a deep breath and comes around the front of the sofa to face me. He doesn’t see the pregnancy tests neatly lined up on the coffee table. He is too distracted, his features pulled tight with focus.
I don’t like it.
Silvano clears his throat. “I have orders,” he says. “From Gabriel.”
I cock a brow when he doesn’t continue straight away. His lips purse, eyes shifting from me to the door. Is he ... nervous? Do I make Silvano Gambaro nervous?
“I don’t have all day,” I say.
I do have all day. I literally have no plans. But I like seeing him sweat.
“You are to be ejected from the premises,” Silvano continues.
Fine with me. I’m not attached to the mansion in any way, shape, or form, and I’d love to have my freedom back. I am already thinking about where I could stay—Debbie? Or maybe Clara and I could get a place together?—when Silvano drops his final bombshell.
“You must leave Harry here.”
No. No.
My arms tighten around Harry instinctively and I shoot to my feet, ready to run. How could Gabriel do this? I never thought he would sink this low. Even after everything I’ve done, I don’t deserve to have my son cruelly stripped away from me, and Harry needs his mother.
I shake my head. “Harry comes with me.”
“It’s nonnegotiable.”
Harry gurgles in my arms, sensing the molasses-thick tension in the room. I rub his back soothingly.
“I’m not negotiating,” I say in a sharp voice. “I’m telling you that you will not separate my son from me.”
I briefly assess the younger Gambaro. He shares his brother’s short stature, leaving us around the same height. I wonder if I could fight him off. Only thing is he’s corded with muscle and I’m carrying a toddler. Not the easiest scrap.
“Alexis, I can take him from you, or you can say a nice goodbye and