“At this moment in time, we’re still putting the pieces of the puzzle together,” Reeds clarified. “As you can imagine, we do not want to make sudden assumptions that might turn out to be false. Which is why we insist on having an audience with your wife at the station.”
Reeds gave me a cutting look that made me freeze. They knew! I was certain they knew I was involved. I was going to prison for the rest of my life. Breath trapped in my lungs, and dizziness shot through me so fiercely, I was about to pass out. I swayed. Alessandro caught my shoulders and stopped me from falling. He swore under his breath.
“Accidenti!” He fumed as he helped me into a chair before I collapsed. Then, he knelt down to my level and took in the worried expression on my pale face. His eyes narrowed at me in absolute confusion. “What's gotten into you, cara?”
I just shook my head, avoiding to look at Reeds. I thought I saw a flash of recognition in Alessandro's gaze, but I might have been mistaken. Many people would have been intimidated by the two detectives, but not my husband. Suddenly, he started treating them like unwanted intruders. “You can come back another day,” Alessandro bit out, without looking away from me. “Olivia is clearly not in a state to answer any questions at this moment. Besides, she cannot possibly tell you anything of any real importance.”
“Mr. Damiani,” Reeds said calmly. “I don't think you understand—”
Alessandro's nostrils flared and I could tell he had lost his patience. “Detective Reese...”
“Reeds,” he corrected.
“Whatever,” Alessandro retorted. “Do you have a warrant?”
Reeds backed down and gave a curt nod. “No, Sir. I'm afraid we do not.”
Alessandro arched his eyebrows and regarded the two detectives. “Then I suggest you stop upsetting my pregnant wife and get the hell out of my house!”
Reeds caught the shock on my face. I wasn’t quick enough to hide my reaction. He inclined his head and watched as I let out a shaky breath.
“Mrs. Damiani, we apologize if we caused you any distress,” he said, looking straight into my eyes. “It wasn’t our intention. We didn't know you were pregnant.”
“Well, now you do,” Alessandro asserted coldly.
“Indeed.” Reeds smirked with mystery. “We'll return when your wife feels better. Perhaps you can give us a call.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small card, laying it on the table.
“We'll make sure to do that,” Alessandro said, and gave Reeds a sour smile. “Good luck with the investigation.”
“Thanks,” Reeds replied, and both men turned to leave, but the older detective paused and cast a glance at Alessandro. “Oh, and Mr. Damiani...just a piece of advice. You might want to think about upgrading the regularity of service on your car. It can't hurt to make sure everything is in order.”
Alessandro gazed after the retreating forms of detectives with narrowed eyes.
Even after they left, my mouth hung open in shock by both their inquiries and Alessandro's revelation that he knew I was pregnant.
“Are you okay, cara?” Alessandro asked in a light voice.
“You know...” I mumbled incoherently.
He smiled. “I’ve lost my memory, tesoro, not my common sense. There is only one reason for a woman to be sick every morning and stomach flu doesn't cover it.”
“But you never said anything...”
“I was waiting for you to tell me,”—he explained, then furrowed—“but eventually, I realized that wouldn't happen.”
I remained silent and simply continued staring at him with widened eyes.
“Did I know about the pregnancy before the accident?” Alessandro asked.
I shook my head in slow motion.
“Why not?” he demanded.
Because you wouldn't want the baby. “I was searching for the right moment to tell you and then it was too late. You forgot and the doctor said—”
“Nevermind,” he interrupted me, waving his hand. “How far along are you, cara?”
“Almost four months,” I said quietly.
“Is everything okay with the baby?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “There are no major complications.”
He nodded thoughtfully, then paused before fixing his gaze on me. “Is it mine?” he asked, matter-of-factly.
I blinked, unable to believe my ears. “Wh-What?”
“You heard me, Olivia,” he reprimanded, his features deadpan. “Am I the father?”
I lost it and slapped him as hard as I could.
He closed his eyes, and expelled a harsh breath. Then, he peered up at me as he rubbed his swollen cheek. “I guess, I'll take that as a yes.”
The expression in his eyes turned serious, and I realized what I had done. When he made