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“Don’t apologize, Alessa.”
His voice comes out firm but not harsh. Quiet, like he’s processing each word carefully before speaking. I don’t know what response I expected—anger, panic, coldness—but I’m grateful for this controlled calm, even if it’s just a facade.
“I didn’t know,” I admit, shaking my head as I wipe tears with the back of my hand. “I lost track of everything. I meant to ask for birth control and morning-afters, but then the bombinghappened and everything after—” My voice catches. “I’m so sorry, Dominic. I know—”
“Hey, eyes on me, baby.” Dominic approaches the bed, towering over me. His hand finds my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. Then, something I never expected—he sinks to his knees before me, slow and deliberate. His eyes don’t leave mine as his hands find my thighs. There’s nothing sexual in the touch—it’s grounding, almost reverent. “You’re in shock, okay?”
“Dom—”
“Listen to me,” he says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I nod, another sob escaping. “It’s not your fault, alright? It’s been a shitshow these past weeks, and I should have been more responsible with all of this, but it’s not your fault.”
“You’re not mad?” My voice sounds small, even to my own ears. “It changes everything. The Commission—”
“The Commission isn’t important right now.” His jaw clenches briefly, the only sign that this is affecting him more than he’s letting on. “And, sure, the timing isn’t ideal but I’m not mad at you. Never.”
My heart swells painfully in my chest at the sight of him kneeling before me, holding me, saying everything I need to hear. His fingers twitch against my thigh, a flicker of tension before he buries it.
“I know this is all scary, and I don’t know shit about being a parent. But if this is real, I’m here. I’m not leaving you.”
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
“Say it,” he urges softly.
“You’ll be right here.”
“With you,” he corrects, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m not going to leave you. And whatever you decide, I’ll support you, okay? It will change things, but not between us.”
“I’m scared.”
There it is—the raw truth. Not of pregnancy or childbirth or even the responsibility that comes after. I’m scared for our lives. I don’t even know for certain if there’s a life growing inside me, but already the instinct to protect it burns like a wildfire. The love forming is terrifying—vast and all-consuming. And with it comes a fear that cuts bone-deep, a dread that if anything happens to it, the pain would destroy me completely. A kind of agony I can’t even comprehend.
“I know,” he says, rising to his feet and wrapping his arms around me. I press my head against his stomach, finding comfort in his solidity. “We’ll figure it out, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good girl.” Dominic cups my cheeks and leans down to kiss me once. Twice. “Alessa.”
“Dominic.”
He sits beside me again, his hand never leaving mine.
“I know our situation isn’t exactly...family-friendly. This mob thing. The Commission.” His voice grows harder, more determined. “I have enemies who would target you and our child to hurt me, but I will leave that life behind if you want me to.”
“You will?” The offer stuns me.
“In a heartbeat.”
The memory of my mother surfaces. The truth is, no one ever really escapes, do they? The Commission has endless resources to track down anyone who tries to slip away. And if our child grows up defenseless, unaware, vulnerable—just another piece of collateral—I couldn’t live with myself.
Dominic’s position makes it even more dangerous. If word gets out about his child, there will be people lining up to use us against him. Running has been my instinct my entire life—I’ve spent years trying to escape the Cosa Nostra’s grip—but now, I see the value in staying. If I want to protect this child, I can’t afford to be clueless anymore.
“We’re not going anywhere,” I say, the decision solidifying as I speak it. “It’s a cold world out there, Dominic. If we play our cards right this time, maybe we won’t have to run from all of this.”
“Are you sure, Alessa?”
“My mother meant well, but I ended up as someone else’s collateral and lived constantly in fear. Would you want that for our child?”
“I’d prefer it if he knows how to kick ass and protect himself.” A small smile touches his lips. “Or her. I mean, he could be a her.”