Page 120 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

“Uh… okay.” Her tone changes to match mine. “Is something wrong?”

God, how do I ask her to get me a pregnancy test?

She’ll have to guess that Marco is the father, and then she’ll tell Dominic who’ll then tell Marco, whose head will explode.

“Gabriella?”

I take a deep breath. "I need a pregnancy test. And I need it without anyone knowing."

Silence stretches between us. "Okay. I guess sooner rather than later?"

“Yes, please. I’m sorry to ask but?—”

“No, I get it. Oh, boy, do I get it. I was planning on last-minute Christmas shopping so I have a babysitter coming shortly to watch the kids. I can be there in… an hour or so?”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Of course. God, Marco is going to kill whoever thought he had the right to touch the daughter of a Don under his roof.”

It takes me a moment to realize she thinks the father works for Marco.

I suppose Marco’s reputation for avoiding relationships will work in my favor.

“I just hope he stands by you knowing Marco will be unhappy,” she finishes.

"I'm not thinking that far ahead yet. I just need to know for sure."

When Elena finally arrives, carrying shopping bags that provide perfect cover, I lead her to the small sitting room off the library.

It’s rarely used by anyone, making it a good place to meet in private.

"No one will disturb us here," I say, closing the door softly behind us.

Elena pulls out a rectangular box from one of the bags. "I got the expensive digital one. No squinting at faint lines."

I take it, my hand shaking slightly. "Thank you. I…” God, this is surreal.

“You can handle this, Gab.” She squeezes my arm. "Do you want to take it now?"

I shake my head. "Tonight, when I'm alone. I need time to process whatever it says."

Elena nods, understanding in her eyes. "Okay. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

"How did you do it?" I ask, sinking onto a loveseat. "When you found out about the triplets? Were you terrified?"

She laughs softly. "Terrified doesn't begin to cover it. I threw up for a week before I told anyone, and not from morning sickness." She sits next to me.

"But you managed. You're an amazing mother."

"I had support. You know my dad had just gone to prison, but Dom was great. Took me in. Helped me get what I needed. My situation was complicated, but not impossible."

I swallow hard. "Mine feels impossible."

“The father doesn’t want this?”

I nearly laugh. “No.”

Elena's eyes soften. "Men say a lot of things until they're faced with reality. Sometimes they surprise you."