Page 31 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

I turn towards Bella who is watching me, wide eyed and heavy with silence.

“Bella, you may not leave the house for now. You’ll have to put in leave at work. It’s not safe for you to be out there. We can get a doctor's certificate or something so the gallery isn’t suspicious. I’ll get security for the building and I’ll make sure—”

“That will draw too much attention to me. Its best if I stay the way I am. Keep my routine and keep a low profile like I have been doing for over a year. I know how to look after myself, Nico.”

“No, it’s not good enough. Marcus is dangerous. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. There is a reason he came to this city and we need to find out.”

“Nico.” She interrupts, speaking a little louder.

For a second I’m thrown off. “Huh?” My thoughts are racing is seven different directions. There is so much I need to do. I still have to call other people. I wonder if he knows the gallery is mine. Does he know I was the one who kidnapped Bella - did he follow me here to find her?

“Nico sit down. We can deal with that in a minute. I said there were two things I need to tell you - you have to listen. Put your phone down.”

I shake my head, getting ready to dial someone else. This is not the time to be slacking. “I have to get security, Bella.”

“Put your phone down.” She says. I’ve never heard her speaking so forcefully before.

Her voice is so commanding that I sit down, dropping my phone onto the sofa next to me.

“What is the second thing?” I ask, terrified about what could be worse than finding out Marcus is in this city.Isshe sick? With what?

“Wait here.” She says, standing up and walking out of the room.

I sit, fidgeting and tense, not sure what to do with myself, until she comes back in carrying her baby boy wrapped in a soft blue blanket. I can see his little legs and arm kicking around as he wiggles.

She walks straight over to me, biting her lip, worry traced across her eyes.

“Nico.” She hands me the baby. I take him in my arms. The last baby I held was my sister, right after my parents died. I stare down at his rosy little cheeks and he gurgles a smile at me. “Nico, this is Dante —your son.”

I brush my thumb across his cheek. “Hey little guy - Dante.”

What?

Every cell in my body clenches.

Did I hear that right?

My chest hitches as my breath becomes heavy.

“Bella—”

“Your son.” She nods and sits down opposite me, as rigid as before.

I look back down at the tiny baby boy in my arms and everything in my entire world changes.

In a second.

One second.

Everything is suddenly different.

I can’t tear my eyes off him.

He is my son? My blood? My family?

She knew all this time and didn’t tell me a thing. And all the time we’ve been working together in the gallery - why would she keep this from me?

What am I supposed to do now?

---