Page 47 of Deadly Don's Baby Contract

Aria is closing her eyes, and I am holding my breath. The two horses are neck-and-neck around the bend. It’s close but not over. My filly flies past us and pulls a full length ahead. She’s over the line miles ahead. Aria looks up in time to see the win and to know we are free of my brother and his bitter jealousy. She jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me, kissing me in front of Marco and rubbing it in deeper.

Our victory is short-lived. The sound of gunshots rings out in the almost empty stands. I dive behind the bar with Aria still wrapped around me and pry her off so I can get to my gun.

“Who is it?” she asks, her eyes wide. Marco climbs in behind us.

“Vito,” he snarls, “and about ten of his men.” They must have followed us here. The man is fucking relentless. “I am getting tired of this, Franco. Ever since Aria arrived, this fucker has been a death shadow over us. You need to get to the bottom of it.” It’s an order, not a request.

Marco is over this war, and he’s right—Vito and Aria came into our lives in one cloud of chaos. There has to be a connection that I have missed. Maybe he wanted Aria to marry him? What does she have that he wants? This can’t all be about her brother’s debts—it’s too excessive for that.

I hate to agree with my brother about anything, but he is right; we need to find out what Vito really wants. “You need to kill him, Franco,” Aria says. “Vito won’t go away. You’ll have to get rid of him.”

“Get out of here,” Marco yells over the sound of gunfire, “we will resolve this marriage fight another day.”

“My horse won, Marco, it’s over.”

“Another time, Franco.” He cuts me off, “Get us out of here. I don’t want bullet holes in my new suit.” I pull Aria behind me, and we make a run for the service elevator at the back of the building. We can get to cars from there while our men distract them by firing in the opposite direction.

“Stay behind me,” I say to Aria, who replies with.

“Give me your other gun.” I look at her, “I won’t shoot your brother, I promise.” I hand her my backup weapon, and give her a stern look.

“Stay behind me,” I say. “I mean it. You only shoot if you have no other choice.” The doors open on the ground floor, and we step out. It’s clear enough to make a run for it. They’ll see us before we get to the car, but we have a head start.

Luca is in the car already waiting, and I shove Aria in ahead of me, shielding her. Marco is on his own from here. “Drive,” I say, ducking down as they open fire on us. Once we clear the stable gates and blend into traffic, Aria and I sit up.

She looks shaken. “Are you okay?” I ask her, putting my hand on her stomach. My baby shouldn’t be having to escape gun fights—not yet. It’s not even born yet, and the whole world is trying to kill it. Vito has to be dealt with.

“I’m fine,” She smiles, “we’re fine.” We are fine.

“Take Aria home,” I say to Luca, “and stay with her. I have some unfinished business.” Vito.

“He has a cousin we can get to,” Luca says, handing me his phone. “I will make sure Aria is safe at the house.” I trust my cousin with my most precious possessions. We pull over, and I swap cars, getting in with my men.

Chapter 18

Aria

Once Franco finds Vito’s cousin, he will find out everything, and I will have to face the music—or firing squad. I still have one lie that I’ve not told my husband, and when he finds out, I’m not sure he will forgive it.

Luca is here, watching over me, but I need him to go. So I can get away from here before the Morelli brothers find out the truth. It’s better for all of us if I leave. Look at the chaos I have brought with me by not honoring my contract with Vito. I’m not sure if even love or a baby is enough for Franco to forgive the truth bomb that is about to explode.

“Luca.” I have to get rid of him. The others I can boss around, but he’s loyal to only Franco. “I’m worried about Franco. I think you should go. There are enough men here. He has no idea what he might come up against.” I plant a seed of doubt, tugging at that bond he has with Franco.

“He told me to stay with you, Aria.” I hate that he listens and follows the rules right now.

“I’m telling you, he needs you more than I do. He will thank you for it.” My gut says he might need the backup.

“Aria,” Luca glares at me, “I am not going to leave, so you can run away from whatever has you chewing your fingernails.”

He’s an observant shit, and I know he’s not going to go now. I will have to face Franco or Vito, whoever comes back for me first.

“Want to get it off your chest?” It’s like he can read my mind.

“Not really,” I say, and he shakes his head.

“He loves you,” Luca says. “So out of respect, I have pretended to like you, but Aria, you have broken up a family and hurt him more than any bullet could. So whatever is going on, when the time comes—please just walk away. Leave him alone so he can put his world back together again.”

“We’re having a child together, Luca,” I say. “Walking away is no longer an option. None of this was intentional. I never wanted to fall in love with Franco. But hearts are dumb, and you can’t change them. They don’t work like minds.”

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