Page 28 of Dare To Free Us

Abandoning the produce I led my little parade to the back of the store. Steven put a hand on my arm to stop me from going straight in so he could check the restroom first.

“Oh for the love of God, Steven, you are killing me.”

“Just give me a minute.”

I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. “No, I have to pee. I’m going in. If you would like to come in with me and have to listen to me pee then be my guest.” I brushed past him into the bathroom but he didn’t follow.

After doing my business and washing hands I walked to the door half expecting to find Steven with his ear pressed to it. As I stepped out my phone rang. When I looked at the number I smiled.

“Hello, Maria,” I answered happily. Steven and the other two turned their focus elsewhere like somehow that would give me a sense of privacy. Not hardly.

“Hello my lovely daughter-in-law. How are you feeling?”

“I’m great. A little morning sickness, but not too bad.” Oh, those little white lies.

“That means it’s going to be a boy,” I could hear her smile over the phone. I rolled my eyes, everyone had an opinion about that.

Matteo’s mom cried for joy when she heard I was pregnant, along with my mother. Matteo and I did a three way call between Maria and my parents to break the news. My parents were on one of their two month long vacations and Maria was living life abroad after so many years of being held prisoner in a terrible marriage to Matteo’s father. Where he banished her when she couldn’t give him more children.Asshole.

After Lorenzo’s death she was free to live her life, and live it she did. The first year Maria took more vacations then I could count. When she wasn’t traveling, she stayed with us, making up for lost time with her son.

Matteo liked having her around. He even renovated the entire master bedroom at the other end of the house for when Maria visited. Although, it did made things a bit more difficult in the love making department. No longer could he come home and order guards outside so he could fuck me on the kitchen counter because neither of us could wait to go upstairs.

But them reconnecting was worth it.

“I was thinking of coming and staying for a while,” Maria said shyly. She was still always concerned about overstaying her welcome. Guess that comes from being told you are unwanted by your husband for so many years. My heart hurt for her.

“You know you are welcome anytime, Maria.”

“Thank you sweetheart. Do you want to ask Matteo first?”

I made a humming sound as if I was really contemplating her question. “Hmm, nope. I want you here so that’s that. He can deal with it.”

She laughed into the phone and I couldn’t wait to hear more of it. Maria possessed a lovely soul that had spent too much time being stamped out.

“Good for you Arianna, I’m glad you stand up to Matteo. It’s good for him.”

“Thanks, Maria. When can we expect you?”

“Next week.”

“Oh, you will be just in time for the first ultrasound.”

“See, meant to be. See you soon,”

“Can’t wait.”

I hung up the phone with a smile on my face, hoping the happiness would last long enough to help me finish my shopping without trying to strangle my own bodyguards.

A few moments later my phone beeped with a message.

Matteo: Sorry Beautiful but I’ll be a little late to the gala tonight. I’ll have to meet you there.

I groaned out loud. Late had taken on a new meaning of might never make it. I loved my parents’ charity galas, and was looking forward to spending an elegant evening with Matteo.

Me: Fine. I’ll have my parents pick me up.

Matteo: No. The men will take you.

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