Page 42 of Fatal Love

Somehow, miraculously, Drew had us at the hospital entrance. Vincenzo and his brother were standing there waiting when the car came to a stop. Vincenzo snatched the door open and scooped her out. I slid from the car and walked straight into Antonio’s arms. It didn’t go unnoticed by me that his hair was damp, and he was dressed in sweats and a T-shirt.

“Everything okay?” I murmured against his chest.

“No. But it will be now that you're here.”

Realizing this man was holding on by a thread, just like I was, I decided I couldn’t keep secrets from him. “There’s something we need to talk about, but it can wait until after the babies are born, okay?”

I could feel his heart speed up beneath my hand that was pressed against his chest. “What is it?”

“Nothing bad. Just surprising if I’m right. But it can wait. Right now, your brother needs us. Let’s go and welcome your niece and nephew into the world. Then you can tell me why your hair is wet while we wait for them to be born.”

I held his hand as we walked into the hospital. Madison had arrived and was sitting beside Massimo in the waiting room. Drew and Freddy were also propped against the wall. “Where’s Catarina? Has anyone called her?” I glanced at the anxious faces. “Or your parents?”

“I called Gia and Gio.” Madison smiled. “They’ll be here soon. But I couldn’t get Catarina on the phone. I left a message.”

Massimo stood and pulled his phone out. “Let me call Donny.” We watched as he walked to the window looking out on the parking lot. His body tensed, and he ran his hand through his hair. Whatever Donny had told him, he wasn’t happy about it.

“Massimo?” Madison sat up in the chair and reached out to him. “What is it?”

“It’s Catarina. She’s gone.”

Twenty-Three

Antonio

“What?” I jumped to my feet as my voice bellowed through the waiting room. “What do you mean, gone?”

“It’s not what you think. Donny said she left a note, and all her clothes were gone from her apartment. She's left, Antonio.”

My body gave out, and I collapsed into the chair beside Rachel. “Why would she leave? Especially now.”

“I don’t know. Donny is on his way with the note she left behind. You know how she is, Fratello. Catarina has never wanted this life.” Massimo looked broken as he said the words.

He was right, though. She'd tried to distance herself from the family business, but we pulled her back in all the time. Rachel gave me a halfhearted smile as she held her hand out for me to take.

I laced my fingers with hers and let her pull me back down into the seat beside her. “I can’t deal with this, Rachel. First Michael, now Catarina.” I closed my eyes and inhaled, trying to steady my nerves.

“Catarina left on her own at the sound of it. Maybe her letter will explain her reasons for doing it.” Deep down I knew she was right, but I couldn’t help feeling everything was changing—and not for the better.

As I scanned the people surround us in the room, I could see the same worry on their faces. Madison was tucked in Massimo’s lap, her head resting against his chest. She'd become someone important to me, and not just as a sister-in-law. Madison helped me accept myself and gave me hope that my family would accept me as well. And they had, just as she predicted.

“You never did say why you’re dressed like that.” Rachel tilted her head at me and cocked an eyebrow.

“It’s not important.” I shrugged, not wanting to admit what I had done. Rachel knew I had a protective side. The dead man I left in her house months ago was proof of that. “What about you? You said you needed to talk to me about something.”

“Yes—” Rachel was about to speak when Vincenzo burst through the doors, causing me to jump to my feet, as did the others.

“They’re here. My son and daughter.”

Massimo pulled him into a hug. “Congratulations, Fratello. How is Riley?”

“Worn out. The babies came fast. Apparently, she has been in labor all day. Rachel,” Vincenzo turned to her. “You got her here just in time, thank you.”

“Well,” I hugged him as I spoke. “What name did you give my niece and nephew? You’ve been keeping a tight lid on it.”

Vincenzo’s smile lit up the room at my question. “Robert Deminico Anastasi and Veronica Gia Anastasi.”

Massimo’s eyes widened when he heard the names Vincenzo and Riley had picked. Deminico was his middle name, which meant one thing. “You named him after me?” His face was full of pride.

---