Page 14 of The Gift

“What brings you here?” Mad Dog asks when he sees myface.

Kaiya sets down a plate full of breakfast in front of me when I take a seat, and they both wait patiently for me to answer.

“Where are the kids?” I ask, evading their questioning gazes for a moment.

“Stayed at Pope’s,” Kaiya says. “Stop stalling and spit it out. What happened?”

My gaze jumps from my friend to his woman and back again. I know they have been through a lot before they finally found their happily ever after with each other. They faced and conquered more adversity than any couple I know. It’s why I came here.

“How long did you know each other before you knew you were in love?”

Kaiya laughs loudly with her head thrown back. “Depends on if you’re asking me or him.”

“Why does it matter?” I ask.

“Well…”

Mad Dog cuts her off before she can explain. “I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on her,” he says with a shake of his head. “It took her a little longer.” He shrugs with a roll of his eyes.

“You believe in love at first sight?” I ask, my voice incredulous.

“I didn’t,” he says with a smile. “Not until I saw Kaiya.”

I nod, knowing exactly what he means. The moment I laid eyes on Allegra I was smitten.

“Did you meet someone?” Kaiya asks cautiously.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, taking a bite of bacon. “She is involved with the Cammareri family.”

“Shit brother.”

Epilogue

Allegra

14 February

The delivery boy places the brown paper bag on the corner of my desk with a smile before leaving again. I wish I could smile in return, but I’m way too stressed out. Inside that simple brown paper bag is the answer to a question I have been evading. The rest of my life will be determined by what is in that bag.

Taking a deep breath, I stand up and walk to the door of my office and flick the lock. I grab the bag on my way past my desk into the ensuite bathroom. I empty the contents of the bag into the white porcelain basin before grabbing the box. I read the instructions carefully before lifting the toilet seat lid.

I wait long moments before I am able to pee on the damn stick.

Afterward, I place the test on the box beside the basin and wash my hands. I close the toilet lid and sit down. I set a two-minute timer on my phone and wait. My mind is blank. No thoughts, no fear. Just, nothing.

When the timer goes off, I pick up the test and stare at the little pink plus sign. I knew I was pregnant; this is just confirmation.

Throwing the test into the trashcan, I make my way back to my desk after unlocking the door. I sit there for long minutes before taking my phone in hand.

Me:We need to talk

Bishop:Who is this?

Me:Allegra

Bishop:We agreed. One night only

My heart hurts reading those words. I’ve waited for almost two months for him to come to me. My body aches forhim, begging him to come back. But he kept his word. One night only, no strings attached. What I feel doesn’t matter. We agreed.

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