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“All the more reason why she’ll need to learn how to protect herself.”
“Do you want us to celebrate tonight?”
Dominic parks the car in the driveway of the safehouse, and I freeze at the sight of it. The last time I was here, Raffy was dragging me towards the door before shooting me in the back. A scar I’ll now carry forever.
“It’s going to be a badass scar, Alessa,” Dominic says while helping me into the car earlier. “A great story to tell this kid someday.”
And yes, after a full day of tests, ultrasounds, and consultations with the OB-GYN, it was confirmed that I am indeed carrying a child.
“Six weeks. Maybe six and a half,” the OB-GYN says. “It’s too soon to tell exactly, but your blood test and the transvaginal ultrasound both confirm you’re pregnant, Ms. Russo.”
Dominic hasn’t left my side since the first announcement. He holds my hand the entire time, rubbing it with his thumb, telling me I’m doing great. He listens attentively as the doctors explain which warning signs to watch for and when to schedule follow-up appointments.
We are both quiet when he wheels me out of the hospital. But once we’re alone in the car, he cups my face and kisses me with such intensity I wince at the sudden movement.
“What is it?” I ask between kisses, our mouths moving together, tongues meeting. If not for my wound and the pain, I would take him right here in the parking lot.
Dominic pulls away, catching his breath. “This life takes everything and rips it right out of your fucking hands before you even know it’s gone. But you? I’d burn the whole fucking world before I let it take you.”
I swallow the three words that have been threatening to escape since morning, knowing it isn’t the right time with everything happening.
Instead, I answer, “Guess we’ll have to burn it together, then.”
Now here we are sitting in his car, the engine still humming.
“I mean, you’re pregnant and you’re alive,” Dominic says with an uncharacteristic nervousness that makes me raise an eyebrow. This man is many things—stubborn, ruthless, sometimes an asshole—but nervous? That’s new territory. “Don’t you think that’s something to celebrate?”
“It is,” I answer, reaching for his hand on the gear stick. “But let’s celebrate when all of this is over, okay? When you officially become a made man.”
“Are you sure? Because you’re moving into my bedroom tonight, and I can have someone whip up a mocktail for us.”
“Can we fuck?” I smirk playfully, biting my lower lip. He chuckles at my bluntness. “We can do it slow. I need you.”
“I can’t do slow. Not with you, baby.” His voice drops, sending heat straight to my core. “But I can make you come as many times as you’d like.”
He leans toward me, tilting my chin up for a kiss so deep it steals my breath. This man will be the death of me.
“I’ll take it.”
“Good girl.”
Dominic unbuckles, the click of his seatbelt cutting through the moment. A heartbeat later, my door opens, and he’s there—solid, steady. His hands find me, firm but gentle as he helps me out, adjusting his grip to keep pressure off my wound.
“Hey, Dominic?” My body hums as I lean against him.
“Yes, baby?”
“After we settle in, I want to see my father, okay?”
I feel him stiffen at my words, our progress toward the house momentarily halted. But then he exhales, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Tomorrow, okay? You need to rest.”
“Tomorrow,” I agree.
For the first time in my life, I have something to lose—and something to fight for. Something worth staying for instead of running. Something more valuable than pride or independence or even revenge.
Family. My family. Growing inside me and standing beside me.