Page 20 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

Guess I got unlucky, but it’s my fault too.

I don’t always make smart decisions. Under the circumstances, most people would have left the shelter animals to fend for themselves.

But I have an affinity with them. Unwanted, unloved, abandoned. There was no way I could leave them—they needed me.

I close the blinds and spin around in time to find the sheriff coming back to his desk.

“Why do you look so sad?” I ask him.

“I’ve known you a very long time,” he replies. “But this is likely to be the last time I ever see you.”

I frown. “What?”

“Sit down a minute.”

“I don’t want to sit down. I want to know what’s going on.”

“I know a guy. We use him sometimes to give people new identities. He’ll be here in a couple of minutes. Take you someplace new, give you ID, a place to live. The works.”

“You’re shitting me.”

He shakes his head. “Usually costs a hundred thousand for his services, but he’s waiving the fee this time because he owes me a favor. Look, Keira. Are you sure you want to do this?

“Once you do, there’s no coming back. You can’t ever show up here again. Can’t call anyone from this life. Is it worth it?

“Wouldn’t you be better marrying him and seeing what happens? The Valentinos are brutal, but they’re loyal, and family means everything to them.”

“I’m not marrying a murderer.”

“Then I’ll take you out the back. He’ll be waiting.”

“What about the center?”

“I’ve called Caroline. She’ll take over for you. The animals will be in good hands. You need to think about your new life now.”

I’m reeling. Surely this is a dream. I pinch my arm, but nothing happens.

We walk along the corridor, past the holding cells, and out the back door into the staff parking lot. There are three cars sitting there.

A man is climbing out of the end one, and my stomach drops when I see who it is. I spin around and slap Dooley across the face.

“How could you?” I snarl.

“I had to,” he says, tears forming in the corner of his eyes. “I’ve gotkids, Keira.” He spins away, vanishing back inside, the door slamming behind him.

A hand sinks onto my shoulder, gripping it hard. “All good fun,cara mia,” Salvatore says, pulling me toward the car, “but enough is enough. Time to get married.”

I don’t even bother fighting him. If the law won’t help me, where am I going to run to?

“You bastard,” I say as he pushes me into the seat beside him.

“Hands out.” He raises an eyebrow. “Now.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t trust you anymore.” He whips a piece of thin cord around my wrists, binding it to the seat behind me, knotting it tight.

“You look good tied up,” he says with a sickening grin.

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