Page 6 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

I know she’s in need of comfort, but I’ve no idea how to do it.Just keep talking.

“Christian sent those men to get you,” I say. “He knew it was a race against time as I was coming for you too. I got here first, but only just. We have to get somewhere safe. And we have to get married.”

Keira drops her head back and groans, as though the weight of her new knowledge is crushing her. “Why, Salvatore? Why do we need to get married? I don’t understand.”

“A Don and his wife are untouchable. Commission rules. I am responsible for your safety.”

“But I don’t want to marry you.”

“That has nothing to do with it and will make no difference whatsoever. It’s happening.”

“No,” she says. Her tone is steely, and I find myself admiring her gumption, pointless though it is. “You walk back into my life with this insane story and glibly tell me both my parents are dead.

“You expect me to walk down the aisle with you happily? How do I know you’re not making all this up?”

“Did those dead bodies look made up?”

“For all I know, they were cops coming to protect me. All I know for sure is that you killed them. Am I expected to take whatyousay on faith?”

Jesus Christ.I saved her, didn’t I?

“It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not,” I say. “Tonight, we’re staying at a motel where I can keep watch. Tomorrow, we’re getting married.”

“And what’s the plan for after that?”

I shrug. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Antonio sent me to get you, so I did. We’ll work something out.”

“So you didn’t evenwantto do this?” She throws her hands in the air in exasperation. “That’s fantastic. God, I can’t believe I slept with you. What about my job? I’ve got work to do. I can’t just disappear.”

“Call your employees in the morning. Make something up.”

I glance at her, seeing the anger on her face. “It’s not forever. Just long enough to deal with Christian. Then you can go back to your old life and pretend none of this ever happened.”

Despite everything, her eyes flash with…something. I’ve seen it before when she was naked in my arms.

There’s something between us, and it’s gonna cause trouble.

All I know how to do is kill. There is no gentleness to my soul. Keira is soft, sweet. Everything I don’t understand.

But if I’m honest with myself, it’s her innocence that draws me, and a good man wouldn’t want to ruin her.

I’m not a good man. Not even close.

Keira and I are getting married. But this isn’t just while we deal with Christian.

Once we’re husband and wife, I’m not letting her go.

Ever.

3

Keira

We drive for hours, and by the time we pull up at a motel, my bladder is bursting.

“I wanted to get further,” he says, scowling as he climbs out of the car.

“Well, I need to pee,” I reply.

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