Page 174 of Heartless Mafia Prince

I sat back on my calves, swiping the back of my hand across my mouth. We came face to face for the first time. Our gazes locked. Luciano’s hand still swayed my back.

“Get that bitch out of here. This is my engagement party. How dare you come here, you dirty whore.”

I jumped to my feet; fists clenched at my sides. My nostrils flared. This Philly girl was ready to beat her face in. “Come get this ass whoopin, bitch,” I snarled.

She lunged toward me. Luciano held us at arm’s length.

“That’s enough,” he roared.

“Rosetta, wait one second. I’m coming.”

He turned to face me. I saw the pain etched in his handsome features.

“Ercole,” he called out.

“Yes, Luciano.” He stepped to his side.

“See that Melanie returns home safely.”

“I will, Luciano.”

“You’re making me leave.” I felt the tears well in my eyes. But I forced them down. No way I’d allow that bitch to see me cry.

“Melanie, I’ll see you later.”

“Don’t bother. I don’t want to see you. If you come to the house, I’ll call the police. I need a break from all of this.”

“Baby, don’t do this.” He released the firm grip on my arms. Luciano was on the verge of losing his shit, and I wasn’t helping.

“Bye, Luciano.”

I flashed a devilish grin at Rosetta as Ercole and I walked out of the room.

Ugo and Ercole guarded my villa in St. Croix. I took a leave of absence from school and took a hiatus. Luciano called to see how I was doing. But I never answered. My bodyguards probably kept him up to date. Eloisa was right. I was pregnant. The doctor said spotting happens during some pregnancies. I guess my body shut down the night I thought Luciano’s mother would kill me. She protected me instead. Kept my secret. I knew it was, so I’d keep hers. Well played. Her husband was a piece of shit. It made me smile whenever I thought about that kiss she shared with Brock. And how youthful she sounded in his presence. Yeah, Agatino go suck a fat one.

Luciano and I were having a baby. We knew it was just a matter of time. Our little one would arrive July twenty-fifth. On Luciano’s birthday. I couldn’t wait to see his or her face.

I remained tucked away in my little slice of heaven until after the wedding. I knew I could’ve used that time to sleep next to him every night until he had to take his vows. Something inside of me wouldn’t let that happen. Either way, it would’ve stopped. Luciano still took care of me, but now I was used to living alone. My guards stayed in the pool house on the property.

After my prenatal appointment, I returned home. I was ready to cook new dishes in class again.

The guards performed their sweep, then ushered me inside my house.

My fingers grazed over my tiny belly bump. “We’re home.” I smiled, taking in my bright airy living room.

“Hello, Melanie.”

Shivers crept up my spine at the sound of his deep voice. Clutching my chest, I walked into the dining room.

“Jesus, why didn’t they tell me you were here?”

Luciano sat at the table, staring through me. His fingertips rattled against the surface. The light from the chandelier hit Luciano’s gold wedding band.

I felt sick just looking at the ring. It really happened. He’s, her husband.

“I have a ton of questions for you. Not my fucking bodyguards.” Luciano’s nostrils flared as his eyes turned a deep emerald green.

“Luciano, I couldn’t be here while you prepared for your rehearsal dinner and wedding. I would’ve found a way to attend. That would’ve destroyed me. So, I left.”

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