Page 108 of Mafia Mistress

Chapter Twenty-Six

Francesca

I was pacingin my room, on the verge of hysteria, by the time Giulio returned from the pharmacy.

“Here,” he said, handing me the bag. “I bought five, just like you asked.”

“Thank you. I’m sure it’s nothing. It has to be stress.”

Giulio held up his palms. “I know nothing about a woman’s cycle, but I think you should check. Just for peace of mind, no?”

I swallowed. “I know. Will you stay?”

“Of course. Go. We’ll check together.”

I went into the bathroom and opened the first box. The instructions seemed fairly simple. Hold the stick in the pee, let it sit, and read the results. Maybe I should take two tests, just to be sure.

Hands shaking, I unwrapped another box and peeled open the paper on the stick. Holding both, I sat down and peed, making sure to wet each stick thoroughly. Then I set them on the counter, cleaned up, and called Giulio in.

He entered carefully, like he was afraid of startling me. “Well?”

“Set the timer on your phone for five minutes. Then we’ll have our answer.”

Giulio started the timer and then peered at the sticks. I smacked his shoulder. “Don’t check early. You’re making me nervous.”

His expression serious, he leaned against the wall. “What result are you hoping for?”

“Negative, obviously.”

“Not obviously. Many women would love to get pregnant with my father’s baby, you know.”

“I am not many women, and they can have his babies for all I care. I cannot be pregnant, G. Not now, and not by your father.”

“Why not? He has been a great father to me, and he would see that you are well cared for. You’d want for nothing.”

I pressed my palms into my eye sockets and tried to control my breathing before I hyperventilated. “I don’t want to be tied to him for the rest of my life. Plus, I’m not ready to be a mother. I want to go to college and get a job. Have a normal life.”

He made a dismissive sound. “Normal is boring, Frankie. You were not made for that life, punching a time clock in some menial job for little money. You are better than that.”

“I’m sure my mother thought the same thing, but she gave up her whole life for my father. Her career, her freedom.” Be your own woman, Francesca. Don’t make my mistakes. “I can’t do that. I promised myself I would have a different life.” Tears welled in my eyes, the terror overwhelming me.

“Frankie,” Giulio said softly, pulling me into his arms. “Don’t cry. We don’t even know if it’s positive yet.”

Deep in my bones, I knew. I was pregnant. I’d never gone this long without a period, and the shot was no longer effective. Fausto had knocked me up.

What was I going to do if it were true?

I stayed there, praying, nestled in Giulio’s embrace, until the timer went off.

He turned off his phone and held my shoulders. “We look together. All right?”

I nodded, my mouth as dry as dirt. “Okay.”

We turned and looked down. Both tests were positive. “Oh, shit,” I whispered and sank to the floor. I buried my face in my hands. “Oh, shit.”

I couldn’t help it—I started crying. Giulio sat next to me and wrapped an arm around me. He didn’t say anything, his strong hand just stroking my back.

I was having Fausto’s baby.

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