Page 70

Alexandra’s pregnant.
With my child.
I should be ecstatic and over the fucking moon, but I’m anything but that. How can I be happy when she lied to me and betrayed me like my mother betrayed my father?
I turn up the speed on the treadmill, needing something to concentrate on. No matter how fast I run or how hard I hit the punching bag, I can’t get her off my mind.
I go to bed thinking about her, and I wake up with her on my mind. If I had dreams, I’m pretty sure they would be of her.
When my muscles burn and I can’t run any longer, I slow the treadmill down to a light job, and after a minute, I stop the machine and head upstairs to shower.
I know what I need to do. It’s what I’ve planned to do for almost a week now, but my heart protests.
I don’t want this to be the end of us. I want to punish her and make her pay, but I can’t live with what she’s done. I can’t look into her eyes and trust her ever again. What kind of relationship would we have if there isn’t trust?
Maybe I do love her, but sometimes, love isn’t enough.
I get dressed, opting for gym clothes and my sneakers. I tuck a gun into the waistband of my shorts and grab the two duffle bags from my closet.
Sneaking out the back door, I throw the bags in my trunk and quietly drive away. Dad has been working from home for several days, and Alvin has been interviewing for another security officer that will help him with the workload.
Blasting my music, I try to stay calm, but the closer to Alexandra I get, the angrier I am.
I feel like I’m going to eat, breathe, and live in the gym. No matter how much pain I cause myself, I can’t get her out of my system. I know I can’t keep living like this, but I can’t deal with the pain. I’d rather cut off all emotions and move on with my life.
The truth is, I feel like a part of me died that day, and the rest died as I read her sweet words in the card. I could tell she was nervous. Happy, but extremely nervous. She showed up with the gift and was going to share the news that I’m going to be a dad, like she hadn’t betrayed me, but I knew.
I could see the truth in her eyes. I didn’t need to read the paperwork in the envelope to know the detective was telling the truth. She gave herself away.
It doesn’t make sense, though. Nothing makes sense.
Her betrayal- why now? Her sweet words- how can someone who is working with Giuseppe Rossi to take down my family, write those words to me? Even the way she begged me to listen to my father doesn’t add up. It’s like she just gave up.
Besides, what does Dad have to do with all of this?
Did she think a baby would make up for years of lies and betrayal?
I shake my head, getting rid of any lingering emotion. She made her bed, and now she has to lie in it. After today, I’m done with her. I won’t think about her, and I sure as fuck won’t talk about her.
She’s dead to me.
When I get to the team’s apartment building. I park in front of the main doors. Darla, the apartment manager, is standing outside smoking a cigarette.
“You aren’t supposed to park there.” She croaks out.
I ignore her and head to the back of my car.
She speaks louder. “Excuse me, young man. That is a no parking zone. If you don’t move your vehicle, I’ll call to get it towed.”
Her condescending tone irks me.
Does she really think I’m going to be staying here long enough for a tow truck to get here?
“Sir, I will tow your vehicle.” She holds up her cell phone to show me she means business.
I unleash my anger on her. “Do you know who I am? Do you realize I could fire your ass for violating the employee code of conduct for smoking that close to the entryway? Not to mention, leaving your desk and all resident information unattended because I’m sure you didn’t lock your office. Am I right?”
Her face pales.