Page 6 of His Stolen Bride

Bella

“Calm,” I order my sister and pull out the chair in the little sitting area in the master bedroom. The double doors are wide open as Leo paces in front of them. She comes over and sits. I pull out the other chair and sit down with her.

“Now what?” She looks at her stomach, her hand going to rest there. I hate the tremble in her voice. I put my own hand over her stomach as well. She turns her hand, locking her fingers with mine.

“Nothing has changed.”

Her mouth parts but no words come out. I look over at Leo, who has stopped pacing.

“I came here to marry, then find a way for Leo and you to get away. Now it looks like I’ll just be marrying twice. No big deal.” I shrug. That’s the truth. It doesn’t matter who I’m married to; it’s the end result of my sister being safe that matters.

“I don’t think this one is going to be so easy to fool.” Leo comes to stand next to my sister. I nod in agreement.

“I’ll have to work harder, and you need to control your temper.” I give him a pointed look. “It won’t do us any good for you to get killed. All of this would be in vain.”

“I’m sorry.” He runs his hand through his brown hair.

“Don’t be sorry. Be better.”

He gives me a nod, and I trust that he will. I can always count on him.

“I’m sorry, too.” I sigh. “This is going to take longer than we thought.” I rub my temples, trying to get my mind to stop racing. I’m grasping for a new plan, but nothing is coming to me yet. I have no doubt Santino has filled any holes in the security that my now dead husband had. I say a small prayer that maybe they missed one. I could use a miracle for once.

If my father finds out Gianna is pregnant, Leo is as good as dead. I don’t think she’d survive losing him. Her heart couldn’t take the loss.

“Don’t apologize to me. You have nothing to be sorry for.” Leo places his hand on Gianna’s shoulder.

I look up at my best friend. The only man I’ve ever truly trusted.

“We’ll figure this out,” I vow. “I won’t let you down.”

Leo lets out a curse. “I have never doubted that.”

“I know, but these men are different. Can’t you tell?”

He nods. “Like I said, Santino is far sharper than Giuseppe. Fooling him isn’t going to be easy.”

“We’re still outnumbered.” I shrug. “The same as before. You’re right. Nothing has changed. We have something they don’t, though. Something you need if you’re outnumbered and still plan to win.”

“Bella,” Gianna says, her lips turning up into a smile. “We still have the smartest player on the board.” She taps her head. “Tell me, sister of mine. What is your future husband’s weakness?”

Easy. Power. The desire to rule. The need to make everyone fall in line. All things that are so predictable. Falling in line is easy. Anyone can pretend to do it. I’ve had a ton of practice pretending to do it with my father.

“Of course, I know his weaknesses. Just like all men. His dick and his thirst for power.”

Leo snorts but doesn't deny my words. In our world, that’s what drives most of the men.

“He thinks I’m ruled by anger.” He might be right. I even surprised myself by the rush of emotions I’d felt when he was close. “It might play in my favor.”

“Would you like me to retrieve your other weapons?” Leo asks. Oh Santino, that silly man assumed I only had one stash. Who would do such a thing? Only someone that was unprepared or inexperienced. I’m neither of those things. I don’t have the luxury of being naïve. I’m a Carrera. We learn from a young age to always be prepared.

“It’s pointless. We’re outnumbered at the moment. Everyone will be on edge. We need to be patient. That’s the only way out of here.”

Leo goes back to pacing.

Gianna’s big eyes find mine. “What do you think Father is going to do?”

“I don’t care. I might get lucky, and they all kill each other.”

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