Page 79 of These Deadly Vows

“Carla, you’re my best friend.” I try to reason with her. To remind her we grew up together practically like sisters. “Why are you doing this? You remember when my appendix ruptured? My father had them take everything out. He was worried I’d develop the same cancer as my mother. It’s why Roberto was chosen to be my husband. He knew I’d never have his children. Carla, you know me, and I know you. Don’t do this. You have to let me go.”

Her hand whips across my mouth. “Enough lies, Adeline. I saw the test in your bathroom. I read the results.”

“That can’t be right. Go to my doctor’s appointment with me. I have one today with Dr. Tores. She specializes in fertility issues, I swear to you. I’m not pregnant. You don’t want to do this.”

“Gag her,” she snaps. “Someone get a pregnancy test.”

“No.” I fight against the bindings, but it’s no use.

Dante frowns at me, but he still shoves a handkerchief in my mouth.

Panic floods me.

I can’t be pregnant. She’ll see.

Then she can let me go.

This isn’t the Carla I know.

She’s not the same girl who bonded with me over terrible boy band music and chocolate.

It’s like I’m seeing a stranger.

Did I ever know her at all?

Tears of betrayal stream down my cheeks.

How can she do this? She has to know my husband will kill her. He won’t let anyone stand between him and what he wants.

I picture his face and wonder how he’ll react when he realizes that I’m gone. Will he even care? I’m sure Boo will gladly have his baby.

But could Carla be right? Am I pregnant?

Is that why Lorenzo was being so sweet? Why he didn’t want me drinking? Did he see the test? I never asked him.

It’s not possible. I turn over all the information in my head.

The surgery. My father paying off the doctor.

Did they lie to him and take the money?

I’m going to be sick.

I answer a call from Axe. “This better be good.”

“Is Adeline with you?”

I hold up a finger and excuse myself from this meeting with the lawyers about Adeline’s inheritance to work out the logistics if she’s pregnant. I haven’t talked about it yet. Not even to her. I don’t want to jinx it. “What do you mean, is she with me?” I pull the phone away from my ear to check the time. “She should be with you at her doctor’s appointment.”

“I was running late this morning. When I went up to your apartment, she wasn’t there. I’ve looked all over the building.”

My blood runs cold, turning to ice.

“Have you checked the feeds? She’s got to be there somewhere. What were you doing?”

Capone hears my tone and walks over to me.

“Flash is going back over them now. We lose her at the elevators.”

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