Page 46 of Surprise Baby for the Mafia Boss

“You too!” he says, then stops at the door. “Luca, ask Grazia to stay home for the next week or so. Let her know what’s happened but don’t go too far in detail. I’ll bring Loridana and the kids here while you’re in Mexico.”

I nod at him as he leaves and go to find Grazia and fill her in on what Enzo has said. She’s never been one to fight when we ask her to do something for her own safety, and this time is no different.

Grazia agrees to stay at home, and take a driver and guard with her if she does need to go out. Thankfully, we’ve set up this house with everything she loves the most.

“Also,” I say before I leave. “I have to go back to Mexico one last time. I promised Carlos that I would take his money to him personally. But they are going to expect Emelia to be with me. So, I will need to ask her to accompany me. I still haven’t made any decisions, but this is important to finish off the deal.” If I have learned anything in the last few weeks, it’s that I need to be more honest with my sister.

“That makes sense, Luc, I understand. Maybe you two can talk while you’re away, too,” Grazia says, an honest look on her face. I can’t believe that after we lied to her, she’s willing to try to help the situation.

“Maybe. Just make sure you’re being careful here, okay.” I shrug, leaving her to go and finalize my travel details.

After sorting out the jet and letting Carlos know I’d be coming, I pick up the phone and dial Emelia’s number. I’m not thrilled at having to make this call, but I know it’ll be the last time we have to smile at each other and use fake pet names for the sake of securing this deal.

“Hello?” she answers quickly.

“Emelia, it’s Luca.” She knows this already, I’m calling from my cell, but for some reason I’m nervous to call her.

“I need a favor. Final one, I promise. I have to go to Mexico to drop off payment and Carlos expects you to be with me.”

“Oh,” she says, and I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad "Oh".

“After this, you won’t have to do this anymore. Once this payment is made all of our pretending can end.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Emelia

“Sure, Luca, I’ll go with you,” I say into the phone.

He caught me laying on my bed, reading my seventh baby book. I twirl my hair in my fingers, watching the gold and brown hues blend like water, waiting for him to give me the details.

There was no way that I would say no to an offer of spending a weekend with Luca. We might be with the Mexicans, but we’d be away from his siblings and my father, and we could finally talk about everything.

“Thanks, Emelia. And the money is still on the table if you’d like it.” I roll my eyes at him through the phone, but say nothing.

“I’ll have my driver pick you up tomorrow. We won’t be gone for long.” He sounds rushed, almost panicked, and I can imagine that things are getting stressful on his side.

We spoke about so many of the details surrounding his business before he found out about the baby, but now I’m in the dark again.

“Okay,” is all I can get out. There’s still a weird tension between us and it’s making me feel awful, especially as I look at pictures of happy families in this baby book. I stroke the face of one of the babies on the page, thinking about my own baby.

“See you tomorrow,” he says, hanging up the phone. I get up to pack a bag and go to tell my father about my plans.

“So, then you and Luca are on good terms again?” my father asks. He can barely contain his smile, and this time it annoys me. I might not even be in this situation if it weren’t for him.

All I wanted was for my dad to finally be happy with my achievements, and so I played right into his game. I should have been more honest with Luca and Grazia.

“Not really. But this is important for the deal and I’ve agreed to see it through.” I reply. I also don’t want to tell my father too much now, just in case he ruins it all for me again. Not that there is much to ruin now.

“Well, you never know. You and him, together in Mexico, you could just reignite whatever spark you found the last time. And you should try Emelia, for that baby of yours.”

My father looks at my stomach and back up to my face. I try not to let him see me roll my eyes. If he thought I wasn’t constantly thinking of this “baby of mine”, than he’s not as smart as he likes to think he is.

I sigh. “Yes, I know Daddy. Anyway, I’ll see you when we get back.”

***

It’s only seven in the morning when Luca’s driver pulls up. He did tell me to be ready early, but I had no idea that this is what he meant.

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