Page 52 of Surprise Baby for the Mafia Boss

No one has ever mentioned this stuff about pregnancy to me, but one of the many books that my doctor gave me explains it pretty well.

In the cocoon of the car, I reflect on the fact that even I need a break sometimes.

As the cityscape passes by, I let myself drift away on thoughts of a sweeter time, lying by the pool carefree with Grazia.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Luca

After sending Emelia with her own driver, I tell my chauffeur to drop me off at my apartment in the city. I can’t deal with the family house right now, not if my siblings are there, too, which they both most likely are.

I’ve spent the entire morning fielding both of their questions and trying to ensure that my crew is on track. I’m exhausted, and I still have a hangover from last night.

On the plane, I had figured that I'd give Enzo a heads-up before leaving Mexico, thinking he'd be thrilled about what's coming for the family. Instead, he hit me with a bunch of questions that screamed, "I don't trust you to handle this."

And if that wasn't enough, Grazia's been blowing up my phone all day. Non-stop questions about Emelia and whether we've had a heart-to-heart about the baby.

She even went as far as asking if I think this whole thing with Emelia is messing with my head and distracting me from work. Seriously, who the fuck does she think she's talking to? Distraction is not my middle name.

Neither of them seem to realize what I’ve just done.

Carlos has the biggest family connection in the south. There is no risk of his shipments drying up, as long as we have customers, he’s got drugs. And that means a constant stream of income—much better than the sporadic spurts that come from our American partners, that’s for sure.

And once we’ve secured this shipment, we’ll have the funds to get more guys on the ground. Now that we’ve got the Mexican stuff, we can start taking on other countries. This deal means the Baldini name is about to become the best, the biggest, in our circles.

All of those rival families who might dream of taking us on now, are not even going to fathom that possibility in a couple of months.

But Enzo just sees me trying to do something on my own and his need to control everything takes over. And he’s brainwashed Grazia so much now that she may as well just be called his puppet.

I love my family, but they need a wake-up call.

Tonight, I just can't deal with either of them. I need to be in my own space, soaking in the sweet taste of success. Plus, the city flat puts me closer to the action on the ground for distribution.

As my driver weaves through the city, I'm just craving some peace and quiet to enjoy what I've pulled off.

I get out of the car outside my building, still holding the folded note that Emelia gave me. I can’t help but scoff when I look at it, does she think we’re fifteen-year-olds in high school? I’ve never had a grown woman give me a love letter. But maybe that’s what sets her apart from the other women I’ve been with.

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. I see Enzo’s name on the screen, so I answer as I walk up to my apartment. “Hello?”

“Luca, where are you? I thought you’d be back by now.” He sounds almost panicked–strange for Enzo.

“I am back, I’m at my apartment. I need to get some sleep after this weekend. I’ll be back at the mansion tomorrow.” I yawn, not on purpose but that should help tell Enzo I’m not lying.

“I sent Emelia back to her place,” I add, just in case he thinks this is some sex-scapade of ours. Not that I really care if he thinks that it is.

Enzo sighs, “Look I know you’ve just done the wire transfer and Carlos seems happy, but I’ve been going over all the details and I think you and I need to catch up. We really can’t afford more of a mess here–I’ve been dealing with attempted hits on my guys all fucking day.”

“Uh, okay.“ I’m not sure what his guys have to do with mine. I’ve had wounded men too, but it comes with the territory. We’ve already sent a pretty clear message to the Morellis. “You think the hits have something to do with me?”

“Well…” He doesn’t sound like he wants to say it, but I know he’s thinking it. “I just worry that there are some unsealed seams in your deal. Plus, with yours and Emelia’s fake dating relationship, like you’re in some sort of rom-com, Carlos needs to trust us fully.”

“Carlos does trust us fully, Enzo. Emelia and I have all of this covered already.” I’m too tired to argue with my brother. “Look, I’ll see you in the morning okay?”

I put the phone down before he can say anything more. I’m standing in my kitchen, my apartment looks dark and depressing with the blinds closed. Luckily it’s clean, so at least the housekeeper has been here.

Emelia’s note is still in my hand, but I’m not sure I’m ready to know what she’s thinking after…last night. She could very well never want to see me again, although I’d never let her keep my child from me.

Or she could be begging me to help her. I read the full letter in silence, and notice the shaky handwriting, knowing she wrote this in Mexico where I treated her like shit.

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