Page 41 of Mafia Pregnancy
Danielle
T uesday morning arrives with crisp clarity that makes everything feel sharper.
Leo’s fever broke completely this morning around five a.m., and he woke asking for pancakes and wanting to know if the space dinosaurs had visited while he was sleeping.
They were normal, wonderful three-year-old concerns that make my heart lighter.
I drop him off at Aunt Molly’s house with his backpack full of coloring books and dinosaur figures, listening to him chatter about his plans to build a space station out of couch cushions.
The ordinariness of it makes me smile as I drive to the estate, though my stomach churns with nervous energy about the conversation I need to have with Radmir.
Yesterday changed something between us. Watching him care for Leo when he was sick, seeing the natural way he stepped into the role of concerned father figure, made it impossible to keep pretending this situation can remain casual or undefined.
He held my son for hours while fever made him miserable, and when Leo finally felt better, the first thing he asked was whether Radmir would come back today.
I arrive at the estate and go through my morning routine, concentration proving impossible when I know I need to tell Radmir about the baby. The conversation weighs on me like a stone, waiting for the courage to share news that will change everything between us permanently.
Around ten o’clock, I’m organizing supplies in the east wing when I hear footsteps approaching. I turn to find Radmir walking toward me with purposeful strides and an expression that suggests this isn’t a casual encounter.
“Good morning.” I set down the cleaning supplies and face him directly. “Thank you again for yesterday. Leo is feeling much better.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Was he well enough for Molly’s today?”
“Yes, his fever stayed down all night before finally breaking around five a.m., and he was asking for pancakes and wanting to play when he woke up. Definite signs of recovery.” I pause, noting something formal in his demeanor that puts me on edge. “Is everything all right?”
“We need to discuss something.” He reaches into his jacket and pulls out an official-looking document, holding it between us like evidence. “I had Leo’s hair tested for DNA comparison.”
The words make anger and resignation war in my chest. Part of me is furious he took genetic material from my son without permission, but a larger part acknowledges I’m not in any position to feel indignant about deception. “When did you take his hair?”
“At the restaurant when I helped him in the bathroom. I told him I was getting a soap bubble out of his hair.” His voice carries no apology, just matter-of-fact explanation. “The results confirm what we both already knew. Leo is my son.”
I stare at the document in his hands, seeing official letterhead and scientific terminology that makes our situation feel suddenly legal and permanent. “Are you angry I didn’t tell you sooner?”
“I’m disappointed, but I understand why you made the choices you did.” He folds the paper and tucks it back into his jacket. “The question now is whether this knowledge changes anything between us.”
“Does it change things for you?”
“No.” His response is immediate and certain. “I wanted to be part of his life before I had scientific proof, and that hasn’t changed. If anything, it makes me more determined to be the father he deserves.”
The simple declaration makes my throat constrict with emotion. “Radmir?—”
“What were you going to tell me Sunday night? Before Andrei called about Rodriguez?”
I take a deep breath, knowing this is the moment I’ve been building toward for weeks. “I’m pregnant.”
He goes very still, studying my face with intense focus. “How far along?”
“Almost fifteen weeks.” I watch his expression for signs of shock or anger, he appears more thoughtful than surprised. “I found about five weeks.”
“You weren’t planning to tell me.” It’s not a question, and the quiet disappointment in his voice makes me feel small.
“I was scared. Your world is dangerous, and I couldn’t imagine voluntarily bringing children into that. After what happened with that man breaking into your house...”
“I understand your concerns.” He steps close enough that I have to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “You’re carrying my child, Danielle. Our child. That changes my responsibilities and my priorities.”
“How?”
“It means I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe. You and Leo and the baby.” His voice carries absolute conviction.
The promise should comfort me, but uncertainty still churns in my stomach. “What if keeping us safe isn’t possible? What if being connected to you puts us in more danger than staying away?”
“Then I’ll change what needs to be changed to protect my family.” He reaches out and touches my face gently. “This isn’t negotiable, Danielle. You’re having my child. Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“We’re having a daughter.”
Something like wonder crosses his features. “A daughter.” He pulls me into his arms, holding me near enough to feel his heartbeat against my cheek. “I’m terrified and thrilled and completely unprepared. Are you happy about that?”
“I’m scared,” I say quietly. “I want to try to make this work between us, but I need to know you can keep us safe.”
“I will.” He holds me closer. “I promise you, I will.”
Three days later, I’m starting to believe that promise might be possible. Radmir has been spending time with us every evening, reading to Leo and helping with bedtime routines while I adjust to the idea of sharing parental responsibilities. Leo has accepted his presence with easy adaptability.
The three of us have been finding our rhythm as something that looks increasingly like a family.
Simple things like grocery shopping together or watching Leo play at the park feel natural in ways I hadn’t expected.
Radmir listens to Leo’s endless questions about dinosaurs and space with genuine interest, and I imagine what our daughter might be like when she’s old enough for these adventures.
This afternoon, we went to Scoops & Dreams for ice cream and casual conversation that felt easy. After finishing, we’re walking toward Radmir’s sedan with Leo skipping between us, his dinosaur backpack bouncing against his shoulders, when everything goes wrong.
The sound of an engine accelerating catches my attention first, followed by the screech of tires as a dark sedan speeds through the parking lot toward us. I have just enough time to realize something is terribly wrong before the car’s passenger window rolls down, and I see the barrel of a gun.
“Get down!” Radmir’s voice cuts through the afternoon air as he throws himself toward Leo and me, pushing us behind a parked car just as the first shot rings out.
The sound is impossibly loud, bouncing off the buildings around us while more shots follow in rapid succession, some from the shooter, and others from Radmir’s guards. I curl myself around Leo, trying to make my body a shield while he covers both of us with his larger frame.
“Mama?” Leo’s terrified scream cuts through the gunfire. “Mama, what’s happening?”
“It’s okay, baby. We’re okay.” I hold him against my body, feeling him shake with fear while bullets impact metal and concrete around us. “Just stay down and don’t move.”
The shooting stops as suddenly as it started, followed by the sound of the sedan speeding away and one of the black SUVs usually accompanying Radmir speeding after him while the other one comes toward us to form a barrier.
For several seconds, the only sounds are Leo’s frightened sobs and my heart hammering against my eardrums.
“Is anyone hurt?” Radmir’s voice is deadly calm as he checks us both for injuries. “Danielle, are you hit? Leo?”
“We’re okay.” I run my hands over Leo’s arms and legs, confirming he’s unharmed despite his terror. “I think we’re both okay.”
Radmir pulls out his phone and makes a quick call while scanning the area for additional threats. Within minutes, another black SUV appears in the parking lot, and two men in dark suits get out to check the scene.
“We need to get you somewhere safe.” He helps me to my feet and lifts Leo into his arms, carrying him toward the armored vehicle. “My car isn’t secure enough after this.”
I follow numbly, still processing what just happened. Someone tried to kill us in broad daylight, in a public parking lot, while my three-year-old son was walking between us. The regular atmosphere previously makes the violence feel surreal and terrifying.
The SUV’s interior is luxury crossed with rugged military practicality, with bulletproof windows and communication equipment I don’t recognize. Leo clings to me while Radmir gives instructions to his men about securing the area and investigating the attack.
“Who was that?” I ask when he finally turns his attention back to us. “Who would shoot at us like that?”
“Luca Sokolov. This is his way of sending a message.” Radmir’s voice carries cold fury that makes me grateful it’s not directed at me. “He’s escalating because I’ve been evaluating how far he’d go rather than responding. I won’t make that mistake again.” He sounds grim.
I examine Leo’s dinosaur backpack and find a bullet hole through the fabric, missing his small body by inches.
The realization of how close we came to losing him makes my hands shake uncontrollably.
“This can’t happen again.” I meet Radmir’s gaze steadily, with more control than I feel in the moment.
“I won’t let my children live in a world where people shoot at them for buying ice cream. ”
“It won’t happen again. I’ll increase security, change our routines, and make sure?—”
“No.” I cut him off, my voice stronger than I feel. “I can’t do this, Radmir. We can’t be part of your life while you’re still involved with the bratva . Today was a wake-up call.”