Page 142 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

His voice is ragged. Apologizing. Seeking revenge.

Tears blur my vision.

I swipe to call him back, my hands shaking.

It rings once. Twice. Then straight to voicemail.

I stare at the screen, my heart cracking open all over again.

Too late. Always too late.

I curl up on the couch, pulling the blanket tight around me like armor.

The apartment feels cavernous and cold, too big without him. Without his laugh echoing down the hallway. Without his scent clinging to the air.

I press my hand to my belly.

"I’m doing my best. I swear I am."

But even as I say it, my gut twists.

I glance toward the darkened window, a shiver crawling up my spine.

If Eva’s this angry…

If she’s willing to burn down everything just to make a point… What else is coming?

33

ALESSIO

The headline burns a hole through my skull.

He’s not at war with the Bratva. He’s colluding with them.

I read it again. And again. Every word feels like it's searing into my skin.

The photos. The timing. The way the world is already swallowing it whole.

It’s too perfect. Too calculated. Like someone was fucking setting me up.

And all I can think about is Sophie.

The baby.

This must be hell for her.

The thought guts me worse than any bullet could.

She’s out there, carrying our child, fighting battles that should be mine to fight.

And I’m here, halfway across the world, too fucking far to hold her. To shield her.

This was supposed to protect her. Not destroy her. I pace the study. The old wood floors creak under my restless steps. My phone is clutched so tightly my knuckles burn.

Three calls. Three straight trips to voicemail. I could blame the time difference. The headlines. Or maybe the fact that she's pissed at me. But deep down, I know better.

“She’s better off without me,” I mutter under my breath.

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