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“I’ve waited way too long to get a piece of you, Marino. Leave the rookie alone and take on a man your own size.”
The voice sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it recently. But where? And who are these men? One thing is certain, by the end of tonight, I’ll know who’s behind the mask.
I glance at Gage. “Are you good for a few more rounds? I’m feeling a second rush. It’s about time we expose the Reapers for who they really are.”
Gage grins. “Hell yeah, I am. I’ve got years of pent up rage to get out of my system.”
The Reaper cracks his knuckles as he glances at the two men standing on either side of him. “The only ones that are going to be exposed tonight are you and your criminal father. We are going to eliminate the mafia families and take back our community.”
“In your dreams, coward.”
Even if they run me, Francesca, and Dad out of town, they will still have to deal with Giuseppe Rossi, and Uncle Tony and AJ.
The mafia is here to stay. Cowards who have to hide their true identities do not intimidate us.
A sinister grin forms on his face. “We will see who is still standing at the end of the night.”
Chapter Thirteen
ALEXANDRA
I’ve never takena day off work, let alone an entire week, but I did. I texted Arturo that I need the week off from work. I didn’t even explain why. I’m sure Francesca told him I was sick and needed the rest because I told her I had a stomach bug.
But that’s not the case.
In my hands are the results of my blood test from the night I passed out. It’s been a week and I still can’t stop staring at the sheet of paper.
I can’t believe it, but my name is at the top of the paper with all of my information.
I sink into the back of my couch and pull my cover over me as I stare at documents from the hospital.
We were always careful, right? Because there’s just no way that I’m pregnant. Nine weeks and five days, according to the obstetrician.
Right now, there is a living baby inside of me. A baby that is rapidly growing and forming all the necessary organs he or she needs to live.
I am going to be a mom, and Joey is going to be a dad.
Reaching down, I rub my stomach, feeling an ever so slight bump. It wasn’t there last week, was it?
My heart races, and my breathing turns into pants as I freak out. Joseph Marino is the father of my baby.
Will he be excited?
Nervous?
Upset?
I practice breathing deeply, like the doctor instructed. Breathe in through my nose, and breathe out of my mouth.
Inhale for three seconds and exhale completely out of my mouth.
By the time I do this five times, my nerves are settled and my heartbeat returns to normal. It’s not just me and my health I need to worry about right now. There’s another life depending on me to do the right thing.
I grab my phone and text Francesca.
Hey, are you still at work?
My phone buzzes with her reply.