Page 48 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Frankie is beside me in an instant, his phone to his ear readying the plane for departure.

“Come on, Boss. Let’s go get your girl.”

Chapter

Thirty-One

KATE

Exhaustion rears its ugly head as I walk in the door of my apartment. The positive pregnancy test heavy in my bag. I have no idea why I allowed Andi to convince me to keep it. I suppose it was how excited she was when the longest three minutes of my life were over and two pink lines appeared.

Andi danced around the bathroom, singing off-key she was going to be an aunt. While I sank to the floor, overwhelmed with how much my life was about to change. It was one thing to get over the feelings I’d developed for Dante, those would vanish with time. Looking into the eyes of the child we created, would be both incredible and painful.

I tried to come up with a plan on the ride home. Getting a job was vital to survival, however I doubt any hospitals would be willing to hire me, only to have me take extended leave when the baby came.

Andi suggested applying to be a Digital Doc, one of those providers you see on the computer. I used my phone and found several companies, a few of them looked promising. One thing I was absolutely certain of, I wasn’t staying in Texas.

If I was going to raise this child, I was going to do it in a place I felt good in. A place where no one knew me, or what happened.Having sent my notice to the management company, a call to Vinney confirmed Brady was in federal custody, rendering it safe for me to return to my apartment.

Fortunately, I still have a majority of the money Dante paid me tucked inside my bag. I could use it to buy a new life, at least until I could afford to pay for it on my own. Then there is the watch, the one I can’t bring myself to remove from the box. I know how much it is worth, maybe I could put it away, give it to my baby when he or she is older.

My heart grows heavy as the number of places I can go dance in my head. California, Vermont, Florida, with each thought came the reason it wouldn't work.

Looking around my apartment, I am grateful my time with Dante didn’t happen here. There are no sheets to shred or pieces of him to remind me of the man who didn’t feel the same.

Standing to my full height, I shuffle my way to my bedroom, collapsing on the mattress before allowing sleep to take over. For such a tiny creature, this little peanut is zapping my energy.

Waking with a start, I sit up in bed, disoriented from the bizarre dream I had. My breath catches as I hear a heavy hand knocking on my door. Swinging my legs over the side, I clear the short distance to the door, pulling it open with an argument on my tongue and fire fueling the fight.

“You can save…”

My words die off as I lock gazes with Dante. His deep orbs are more intense than I remember.

“What?” My tongue is caught in the roof of my mouth, my heart pounding against the side of my chest.

“Hello, Kate.” His voice is like warm hot chocolate, sweet, thick and begging to be tasted. “Can I come in?”

I am absolutely helpless to deny him, moving to the side, I silently invited him in. Watching him take in my meagerfurnishings, I berate myself for letting him. Now, I will have to deal with the fallout of his leaving again.

“Can I get you something to drink?” My nona’s words are out of my mouth before I can contain them. She was adamant about making visitors feel comfortable, even someone who hurt me, like Dante.

“I’m sorry, Kate.” He spun those eyes on me. “I came here to explain…” He trails off, and I can see the struggle on his face. “I shouldn’t have left. I should have woken you and told you we had to leave.”

“Why didn’t you?” My lip trembles as the emotions from that day return. “I woke to your girlfriend?—”

“She isn’t my girlfriend,” he interrupts, tone clipped which makes me jump. “I’m sorry, Tesoro. Please,” he points to the couch, inviting me to sit. “Allow me to explain.”

Sliding to the end of the couch, tucking my legs under me, I hold a pillow against my chest.

“Angelo is a born leader, like I told you that night. He also suffers from knee jerk reactions, something our father tried to work out of him. Frankie brought news that the Cartel had found one of our men.”

“Johnny,” I offer, placing my fingers to my lips in apology for interrupting.

“Yes,” he smiles, making my heart skip a beat. “He worried they would follow him back to the farmhouse and…”

“Kill us,” I finish for him.

“When Angelo woke, he automatically became the Don again, leaving me no choice but to do as he said. At the same time my brother is handing out orders, Valentina arrives.”

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