He tries to kick out at me, but I move to pin his legs between my own, tracing the tip of my knife along his torso.

“And I want to ensure the message doesn’t get lost in any way.” I apply more pressure to my blade.

A thin sheen of sweat is coating the man’s tanned skin.

“This might hurt just a little. Or maybe a lot,” I add before I get to work writing my warning in blood.

27

LILA

“I still haven’t told Andre about the baby,” I mutter under my breath to Cassi as we walk back to my office after our lunch break.

“Lila!”

“I know,” I groan, running my hands through my hair. “He’s going to be so mad.”

“He’ll be even worse when he realizes how long you’ve kept this from him.”

I shoot her a glare, but she shrugs.

“You should do it today. Get it over with.”

“I don’t know… He’s been pretty quiet today. I’ve barely seen him all morning. He’s been in a meeting with the head of the sales department since nine, so I doubt he’ll want me barreling into his office declaring the that I’m having his child.”

“Maybe don’t do it like that,” Cassi mutters. “Maybe it’s better if you look at this in terms of the financial gain.”

“What do you mean?” I glance over my shoulder to ensure no one from the office is nearby. My ice coffee is dripping down my hand, and I quickly wipe it on my dress.

“I know your insurance covered your appointment with the OB the other day, but soon enough, you’ll start to dip into your own pocket for stuff. Like potentially, a bigger apartment? A deposit for a pre-school? These are all things that Andre needs to help you with.”

“I don’t want his money.” I shake my head.

“Why?”

“Because…” I don’t trust where it’s come from. “I don’t want to rely on him in case he decides to bolt.”

“He might not.”

“No, he could be like my dad who stuck around for the first decade but then decided to throw in the towel. I’d rather him walk away now rather than break the heart of the child I’m carrying.”

Cassi sighs, rubbing my arm reassuringly.

“Well, at least we can count on this kid having a fun aunt who will take it to get its first tattoo at fourteen.”

“Cassi!” I laugh.

“Tell him. Lils. He deserves to know,” she says in a more serious tone.

I nod and she squeezes my arm.

“Let me know how it goes.”

I hurry back into the office, nervous and on edge as I head across the main floor.

I glance down, not having realized that my hand was rubbing at my lower abdomen.

My cheeks heat as I look around, searching for Andre.