Page 123 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

MARCO

I’m facing my worst nightmare.

When I’d entered the bedroom and heard the shower running, all I could think about was Gabriella’s naked, wet body and needing to drown myself in it.

I walked into the bathroom ready to join her in the shower, to get lost in her body after a long night.

The item on the vanity stopped me. It took me a moment to realize what it was. A pregnancy test.

My blood turned to ice water. I picked up the test, staring at the little window.

PREGNANT

I stare at her now, wrapped only in a towel, her eyes a mixture of worry and anger.

"You lied to me," I say again. "You looked me in the eyes and said there was nothing to worry about."

She pushes past me, gathering up her clothes. “I didn’t lie. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

What the fuck?“This test says otherwise.”

The rage building inside me isn't just toward her, it’s toward myself for letting my guard down.

For believing I could have something good without consequences.

My father's voice echoes in my head.You let your dick make you weak.

"I trusted you." That’s my problem. I gave her something I don’t give. And now I remember why.

Her gaze snaps to me. “I trusted you too, Marco. I didn’t fuck myself. This didn’t happen on its own.”

I place the test back on the counter, unable to look at the result.

I think back to after the sauna incident.

She’d encouraged me to use a condom when I didn’t think I needed to.

The fact that I considered not using it is more proof of my weakness.

Normally, I’d have never risked it even with a woman on birth control.

But Gabriella had been different.

She’s like kryptonite.

Now I realize she never actually claimed she was on birth control. She let me assume, let me believe what I wanted to hear.

“You let me believe you were on birth control. You told me everything was fine. That was a lie.”

Her chin lifts defiantly. "I call it not wanting you to look at me exactly how you're looking at me now."

"And what way is that?"

She laughs. Actually laughs. “Like a man with a gun to his head… only worse.” She shakes her head in what seems like pity, and my rage boils hotter.

“Don’t turn this on me. I’ve been clear from the beginning that?—”

“Yes, yes, I know.” She sighs. “How nice for you that you won’t have to change your life. I told you everything would be fine and it will be. Me and this baby don’t need your love. We definitely don’t need…” She looks at me with disgust. “All this.”