Page 19 of Savage Betrayal

But it would seem his efforts have been in vain.

“The Valencia family, our last hope of legitimate support in this bloody battle, just buckled under the Morettis’ pressure.”

My hand covers my mouth in horror as I realize what that means. I don’t know where the Fiores, the Amici, or the Russos must have fallen, but if this is what it’s come to, their fates can’t have been good.

It will take far less effort to crush us now. Because no one hated the Morettis as adamantly as Don Valencia. And as much as I would have loathed being married to Tony, it couldn’t possibly have been worse than a lifetime subjected to Leonardo’s mind games.

“I don’t see how this is even a choice,” my mother says, her tone cold and condemning. “But as your father insists, I can only hope you’ll do the right thing for your family—your sisters—this time. So, what’ll it be, Tia?” Her expression is stern with unspoken tension.

“I’ll do it,” I murmur, the words like acid on my tongue. “I’ll marry him.”

“Good.” My father’s expression softens slightly. He seems to have found a hint of forgiveness now that I’m willing to do what it takes to correct my mistakes—as best I can.

But nothing I do can turn back time. And all I want is to go back and smack my young, naive self upside the head. Because I’m in so far over my head, I don’t know what to do. The fate of my family rests on my shoulders.

And now I have another innocent life in my hands.

Only my child will be going with me into the lion’s den.

“The doctor will be here shortly to perform the paternity test.” Father rises from his chair, ready to depart now that the conversation is done.

A lone tear trickles down my cheek as I consider just what this means for me and my unborn child. We will be trapped with a man who used me, made me fall for him, and then tossed me to the curb when it would be most cruel.

Brushing the moisture quickly from my skin, I steel myself, standing as well. And to my surprise, my father stops in front of me to rest a hand on my shoulder.

“Our survival depends on your ability to make this marriage work, Tia,” he says gently. “So you can’t disappoint me this time.”

Swallowing hard, I nod. No pressure or anything.

My mother follows my father, pausing to cup my face in her hands. It’s the first ounce of affection she’s shown me in a month. “I’m proud of you for doing the right thing for your family,” she murmurs. “That’s the girl I raised.”

The words bring tears to my eyes, and I close them, trapping the salty moisture inside. Pressing her lips to my forehead, my mother gives me a soft kiss. Then she departs with my father, leaving me alone in the drawing room.

For a moment, I stand alone in my despair, utterly lost.

But then, I’m not alone anymore.

Resting my palm on my stomach, I do something I’ve never done before. We’ll make it through this. I promise, I think to the tiny life growing inside me. And though I know it’s far too early to feel the baby move, I can’t help imagining a warmth radiating from my core—an unconditional love that fills me with astonishing new strength.

It still feels so strange, so surreal. I’m too young to have a baby. Hardly old enough to be a mom. And yet, in all the crazy chaos around me, having this child is the one thing I’m confident of.

No matter what it takes, I want to make my baby’s world safe, loving, and good.

I never want my child to be forced into a marriage they disagree with, to be used like a pawn in a sick game of power.

I will give my child a world that is fair and just, and free. I don’t care if I have to tear down the entire town of Piovosa, brick by brick.

7

LEO

“Ican’t believe we’re going along with this farce,” I state, straightening the knot of my double Windsor and tightening it around my throat as we wait in the entry for our first guests to arrive.

My father levels me with a look that warns me not to say what he knows I’m thinking. That, though Don Guerra sent us the labs confirming I’m the father of Tia’s child, I still wonder if they might not have found a way to manipulate the results. To make her look pregnant when she’s not. Maybe they paid off the doctor. I don’t know.

I don’t see how the odds could be stacked so high against me. It was one time, for Christ’s sake, and I used protection. Besides, it would suit the Guerra family to force us into an alliance rather than admit defeat.

But my father is past hearing my objections.

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