Page 47 of Forbidden Pregnancy
When Michael exits the bedroom, desperate for attention, I keep my nose firmly fixed in the tattered copy ofDoctor SleepI’ve been reading ever since I finally got the courage to finish upThe Shining.Michael struts right in front of me in his underwear, purposefully seeking my attention. I get it – he’s sweaty, muscular, and normally horny in the mornings.
That doesn’t mean I need to drop everything and whine for his attention. Michael grabs the book out of my hands like the uncouth beast that he is. I glare at him, ready to snatch it back or at least give him a firm kick in the thighs. He smiles when he notices my anger. Annoying bastard.
“Cosima will be here this evening,” Michael says. “I thought a friend might cheer you up.”
I suspect he has another reason for dragging Cosima out here, but I bite my tongue. I’ve been stuck with just Michael for company and even if I love talking to a former football player with mafia ties and a gambling habit, we tend not to spend too much time talking before Michael gets distracted.
It’s getting to be… overwhelming. And even more confusing than our typical interactions – which have never failed to confuse me since the first day Michael kissed me. I wonder what his angle really is with Cosima, but I don’t really know how to ask that question.
“How is she getting here?”
Maybe he’s doing this because our location got exposed again. I shiver, despite Michael’s protective closeness. The thought of another kidnapping doesn’t exactly sit peacefully. Considering my past with Michael, I have my suspects.He’s in the mob – this was his family and my deeper instincts know it.
If Cosima knows where we are, maybe we aren’t safe. I can’t tell if it’s the baby flipping around in my lower abdomen or instincts throbbing in the deepest parts of my gut. Michael leansforward and kisses the top of my head. It’s not as reassuring as he thinks it is, even if this white boy’s lips are so damned soft.
I don’t need more reasons to lose sleep, but the thought of exposing my position again genuinely scares the crap out of me. It’s not like I can get Michael’s honesty about the threat his family poses. It’s been weeks since I brought it up and he still won’t fully admit that his family was behind my kidnapping.
“It’s secure,” he says. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“What about the doctor’s appointment?”
“I changed my mind,” Michael says. “Too risky”
There it is. He’s dangling Cosima in front of me because he doesn’t want me to find out the baby’s sex. I scowl at Michael and he sighs.
“I’m not trying to be cruel.”
“Why does it feel like I’m a captive?”
For the first time since we got here, Michael loosens up. He gives some hint about what happened, and I wish he told me sooner.
“My family will not accept us.”
This part isn’t news.
“I know that.”
“You don’t understand,” he says. “These are notnormalpeople. They’re Italians.”
“Pretty racist, Michael.”
“It’s not about race,” he says. “It’s about our culture. Myfamilyculture. We aren’t a normal Italian family either.”
“So what does that mean, then? We’re always going to be on the run?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Michael
Twelve years ago
One week after Cosima’s accident
Cosima doesn’t fidget as much in her lessons thanks to the cast. Her entire demeanor improved considerably since her fall last week, even if her suffering is still fairly high. That horse of hers threw her into the air and Cosima broke her fall with her dominant arm, cracking the humerus in a horrific splinter.
I sent Myra home and then drove Cosima to the hospital while she screamed and screamed in pain. I don’t miss the sound. The doctors gave Cosima enough pain medication so she can get through the day, but she’s still not herself. Myra uses the opportunity to cheerfully review French grammar, taking advantage of Cosima’s diminished capacity for protest.
As usual, I oversee their lessons, but this week it’s far more difficult for me to pay attention to Cosima. Myra dresses conservatively, as usual, but she has this incredible way of making these long schoolteacher dresses look completely…sexy.She doesn’t show an inch of skin, but I’m still lost in a deep fantasy about her dress.
