Page 41 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

He sets down his coffee, leaning back in his chair. “Unlike Salvatore, I’m more than happy to give you a choice. If you would like to honor your father and become the most powerful woman in Rome, you are welcome to marry me.

“If, however, you would prefer to remain wed to a liar and a killer, by all means, take my blessing, and I will arrange the first flight back to Chicago.”

“Hold on,” I say. My voice sounds too high, a little hysterical. “This is a lot to take in.”

He gets to his feet. “Of course, and no doubt the drugs are making your head woozy. I will have my people show you to a bedroom. Take some time. The kitchen can make anything you like.”

He picks up a glass bell and shakes it. Before the tinkling sound stops, a woman in her fifties appears in the doorway. She’s wearing a neat black business suit, her hands clasped behind her back.

“Hai chiamato, Signore?”

“English in front of our guest, Bella, if you please.”

“You called, Sir?”

“I did indeed. Please show Keira to her temporary bedroom and have the cook bring up anything she requires.”

“Si. I mean, yes, Sir.”

I get to my feet, following Bella out into the hall. She is silent as she leads me up a wide flight of stairs to the next floor, stopping at a bedroom.

“What would you like to eat?” she asks.

“Oh, nothing. Just some water, please.”

She nods slightly, then ducks out of the room. I close the door and cross the room to the window. It opens an inch but no further.

I look out through the garden to the busy streets beyond. A high iron fence blocks the grounds from the rest of the city.

Am I trapped here?There’s only one way to find out.

I walk back over to the door and ease it open, walking out and along the corridor to the stairs. I listen hard at the top but hear nothing.

I tiptoe down, getting to the hallway at the bottom before I hear people talking. I dash over to the front door and rattle the handle.

Locked.

“Keira?” Christian’s voice says behind me, filled with concern. “Is everything all right?”

“I just need some air.”

“Of course.” He pulls out a key and slides it into the lock. “It is beautiful out there today.”

He pulls the door open. I step out, breathing in the fresh air, feeling more confused than ever. I expected him to hold me, to trap me. Now I don’t know what to think.

“I would walk with you,” Christian says. “But I have much to do with organizing your father’s estate. Sometimes I think it was his final joke, leaving me with all this paperwork to do.”

He frowns slightly. “Sorry, that was insensitive. Take all the time you need.”

I walk outside, not looking back. I head down to the gates, and I’m astonished to find there’s no lock. A gentle push, and they’d be open.

I could leave. I could simply walk away. Go back to Chicago.

Could Christian be telling the truth? And what if heis?

I never wanted to marry a mafia man, and I sure as hell didn’t want to fall in love with one.

After everything that’s happened, are my baby and I just part of one big power play?

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