Page 188 of The Devil's Fire

Althaia and Jacinta with their faces crossed over with red spray paint. With the words R.I.P. right in the middle.

“It’s a setup. It’s a fucking trap!” I shouted. My body was shaking in anger as I turned to look at Raffaele and Lorenzo. “We need to get to Althaia now!”

Before I could even take a step towards the door, we heard several cars pulling up, their headlights streaming into the warehouse through the windows.

“Shit. Get down!” I shouted. I threw myself to take cover behind a shelf just as gunshots were fired into the warehouse.

We were surrounded, and shots were coming from all different directions, shattering the windows.

sixty

Althaia

I slipped into my favorite midnight blue satin nightgown with a matching robe and made my way downstairs. My mother had made a small fire in the fireplace for some coziness. It was a bit funny that we had a fireplace, even though it was unnecessary in Florida. But my mother loved them, and they had grown on me.

“I made some tea. It’s ginger to help with the nausea.” My mother smiled warmly as she handed me a steaming mug, then settled down next to me on the couch, cradling her own cup.

“Thank you.” I said gratefully.

We sat quietly together as we sipped our tea in a comfortable silence with the burning wood crackling. I faced my mother when she let out a sigh.

“I must say, they are a lot more different from what I had expected.” She admitted. I raised my brows in surprise before a smile appeared on my lips.

“They are. Especially Arianna and Raffaele.” I chuckled, and she rolled her eyes at the mention of Raffaele.

“That boy needs a good smacking or two with my wooden spoon. Shameless boy.” My mother scoffed, making me laugh.

“You have no idea how many times he has teased me with his stupid comments.” I shook my head, amused as I remembered his dumb jokes. “One time, he made such an inappropriate comment that Damiano threatened to shoot him.” I laughed before I quickly realized I probably shouldn’t have shared that.

To my surprise, my mother was smiling about it.

“It’s obvious he cares about you. They all do, and…” She took a deep breath. “I know I haven’t been supportive of your relationship with him, but I got scared for you. You are my priority. I want you to be safe and happy.” My mother gave me a soft smile as she spoke, and tears formed in my eyes.

“I can see you’re happy, and if it means you’re happy with him, then there really isn’t much I can do about it. I don’t want to stand in the way of your happiness.”

“Thank you.” I said as relief washed over me, grateful that she had embraced our relationship and witnessed a different side of him.

“And now you’re going to have a baby. My God, when did you get so grown up?” My mother chuckled with tears in her eyes, and she pulled me into a hug.

“I know. I still can’t believe it.” I sniffed, my eyes welling with tears. “I have something I need to talk to you about.” I told her, feeling my nerves build up.

“He wants me to live with him when I go back for Cara’s wedding.” I said quietly.

“So soon?” My mother asked, gazing into the fireplace. “It only makes sense that you should live with him. But I need to talk to him before I let you go.”

“Talk to him about what?” I asked. She looked at me again, giving me a small smile.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about it.” My mother gave a small dismissive wave.

“I hate that answer. Damiano always gives me that answer.” I sighed, but she just let out a small chuckle.

“You have always been too curious for your own good.” She teased.

“I guess.” I smiled. “Then can you tell me what it feels like to give birth? Cara said one’s butthole explodes, and I’m mortified.” I asked.

My mother was sipping her tea but choked as she accidentally laughed at the same time.

“That child talks too much. Don’t listen to her. Your butthole won’t explode.” She shook her head in amusement. “It feels like bad period cramps. Just a hundred times worse and then it just progresses into something far more painful.” My mother made a small grimace as if remembering the pain.

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