Page 23 of Pretty Poison

I stare at them both, dumbfounded. “Wait, what?”

“Well, you’re nauseous. Are you experiencing any other symptoms?”

“Symptoms of what?”

“Pregnancy,” they both clarify in unison in a tone that sends a shiver down my spine.

“I’m not pregnant,” I scoff. “It’s that lavender smell. It always makes me feel sick.”

They both stare at me for a few seconds longer before turning to face each other. After a few moments of silence, they both burst out in a fit of laughter.

“What’s so funny?” I ask, shrugging my shoulders as I move in closer.

“We’re both parents, Liana,” Elaina starts. “We already have one grandchild on the way and he or she would love to have a playmate. You can never have too many babies around, but we apologise for the assumption, honey.”

A breathy laugh escapes me as I shake my head. “It smells like the clinic in here, Mrs C. It’s quite—”

“Nauseating?” Elaina says, finishing my sentence.

Within an instant, we all laugh together until we’re interrupted by Dario, Maze and Remi. They all stare at us the way I imagine I stared at Mrs C and Elaina just a few minutes ago.

“Mrs C,” Maze says with a smile. He walks towards her, his arms open wide to greet her. A soft smile creeps up on her lips as she lowers her mug and meets him in the middle, wrapping her arms around him.

“Where’s my girl?” she asks, pulling away from him.

“Morning sickness is kicking her ass,” he says with a sigh. “She doesn’t want me or anyone else around. She’s angry when she’s throwing up.”

“She’s not angry with you,” she clarifies, pouring the last bit of liquid from her glass into the sink before cleaning it and placingit on the draining board. “She’s angry that she’s throwing up. She never liked being sick as a kid. I’ll check on her.” She slides past the men and disappears into the hallway.

“Mama, I need to speak to Liana,” Dario says and my eyes dart over to him. What else could be said? We covered all the bases last night, or so I thought.

“Of course, darling. Did you want the room?”

“No, but I’d like to steal her away for a few minutes.”

“Okay,” I say, following him out of the kitchen.

He doesn’t wait for me as he walks down the hall towards his office, quickly stepping inside.

As I round the corner, I find him waiting by the door and I slide past him. Once the door closes behind me, he guides me to a chair opposite his leather one before seating himself.

“Was there more to talk about?” I ask, hoping to speed the process up.

Being in his office again is unnerving. The events from the last time I was in here replay in my mind. My eyes dart to the bullet hole in a large book on his shelf, the exact book that Red shot at to prove a point.

“It’s time we discuss wedding plans, Liana,” he starts, clasping his hands on his desk. “Your test results are back now, meaning there’s nothing holding us back from proceeding.”

I nod. “I was thinking the same, actually,” I lie, keeping a brave face. My stomach drops as the realisation sinks in that we’re soon to be married.

“Your mother, Kat and I have planned everything, keeping everything you requested in mind. Personally, I like the idea of a black and white wedding.”

“I’m glad you agree. As you can tell, everything around here has a cohesive design. It’s the one constant in my life, and I like to include it wherever possible.”

“The details aren’t important to me,” I clarify, shifting to try and make myself more comfortable in my seat. “I figured, why waste my initial ideas of a dream wedding on one neither of us wants to remember anyway.”

His jaw clenches as he swallows. “Precisely. I’m glad we agree.” He drags a file from the left side of his desk and flips it open. “The guest list is short, only my family and yours, plus a few old friends and important allies. Is there anyone else you’d like to include?”

I take a moment to think over his question. “My friend Anabel,” I start. “I’d like her to be there as my maid of honour. I’d like to remove my father and Chiara from the list, though. They come as a pair and I don’t want to see him right now.” He nods, humming as he pens down my requests. “And my brother, Apollo. I’d like him to be there with his partner.”

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