Page 24 of Set Up By the Cartel

After I woke up again, it would be the start of a different day for me, but tonight I needed sleep if only to gather strength for the battles ahead. With a weary sigh, I crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up tight around my chin.

As I drifted off once more, I whispered fervent prayers to anyone listening:

Please watch over us both. Give me the courage to do what must be done. Help me protect this innocent life growing inside me no matter the cost. Let there be light at the end of all this darkness.

My last coherent thought before succumbing fully to oblivion was an image of Mateo's face hovering above mine, green eyes blazing with fierce intensity even as his lips curved tenderly upwards in a smile meant solely for me.

"Te amo,"I breathed softly into the empty room."Always..."

Dawn broke grey and gloomy outside the bedroom windows when next I opened my eyes. Rain pattered steadily against the glass panes, muffling all other sounds and noises. I lay motionless beneath the warm blankets, dreading the moment I'd have to leave their comforting embrace.

But eventually, necessity won out over procrastination. Throwing aside the covers, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat up with a shaky body, waiting for the inevitable wave of nausea to pass. When it didn't come, I allowed myself a small measure of relief.

Maybe today would be different. Maybe the morning sickness wouldn't be quite so bad.

Rising stiffly, I shuffled towards the bathroom intent on starting the day properly. Hot shower first, then coffee... and perhaps some dry toast if my stomach could handle it.

Twenty minutes later, clean and dressed in fresh clothes, I descended the grand staircase leading down to the main level of the house. Muted voices drifted from somewhere deeper within the sprawling mansion; likely Javier or one of the other lieutenants conferring with Mateo about business matters.

Ignoring them, I made a beeline straight for the kitchen instead. Coffee called my name like a siren song promising salvation from the fog still clinging to my brain.

I'd just poured steaming hot liquid into a mug when a familiar voice spoke behind me:

"You're up early."

I nearly dropped the ceramic cup in surprise, whirling around to find Mateo leaning against the doorframe. He looked freshly shaven and impeccably put together in tailored black pants paired with a crisp white button-down shirt left partially unbuttoned at the collar.

Our gazes locked and held for a long, charged moment. In those fleeting seconds, I saw a kaleidoscope of emotions flit rapidly across his handsome features — concern, confusion, frustration, and finally... some level of understanding.

He knew.

Somehow, even though I had been taking every precaution possible, he already knew everything.

"How?"I croaked out past the sudden lump forming in my throat."How did you-"

"I'm not blind."He cut me off, pushing away from the wall to stalk closer."Nor am I stupid. You've been acting strange recently. Distant, secretive..."His eyes narrowed dangerously."And then I found this hidden away upstairs."

Moving his hand, he produced the incriminating pregnancy test stick. It dangled accusingly between two fingers like a trophy of war.

"No!"I gasped, reaching for it. But he snatched it out of reach too quickly, holding it aloft beyond my grasp.

"Yes."He growled low in his throat, green eyes flashing with barely restrained fury."You're pregnant. And you were going to tell me what exactly?"

Shame burned hotly along my cheeks as realization dawned. Of course he would search my things after seeing me crying yesterday. He wasn't a fool.

"What does it look like?"I shot back, crossing my arms over my middle."I don't know how you expect me to feel about any of this!"

"Why are you lying to me again?"He snarled, slamming the test onto the countertop hard enough to make me jump."After everything we've shared, every promise made! How can you possibly doubt my love for you?"

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. I blinked, refusing to let him see me break apart.

"It's not about your feelings!"I shouted, voice cracking."It's about our future! The kind of life we'll give this child!"

Mateo stared at me incredulously, jaw working as though chewing over my words carefully. Then slowly, deliberately, he reached out to take hold of my shoulders in a bruising grip.

"Do you really think I want anything less than the best for you? And now, for our baby too?"He demanded, shaking me slightly as punctuation."Do you think I haven’t spent countless nights lying awake, worrying about giving you the best life possible?"

I gaped at him, stunned by the raw emotion etched upon his chiseled features. In that instant, I glimpsed the true depth of his turmoil — the inner conflict raging between duty and desire, responsibility and freedom...

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