Page 51 of Pretty Little Disaster

“Lorna, I just want you to be happy.” I kiss the dip between her neck and shoulder as I massage her tummy, and when our baby kicks against my hand, it reminds me that I can’t fail them.

“I have to head out for an hour or two, Vito’s going to come and stand guard,” I tell her, hoping she isn’t going to question me.

“Well, I’m going to take a long soak in the bath.” She turns her body and reaches up on her toes to kiss me. “You should probably stop for more ice cream on the way home.” She lifts the tub up on her way out the room, taking it with her and once I’m alone, I stare at my reflection and wonder what happened to the man I used to be.

I may not like him anymore, but I have to find him again for the next few hours so I can see through Dario’s task and kill another threat to the cause.

LORNA

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Do I really need a baby shower as well as an engagement party?” I question Madalina as we flick through the hangers at the adorable baby boutique she insisted we visit.

“Of course, you need a baby shower. Serena’s been working on plans since she found out you were pregnant. Will you look at this?” She holds the tiny sleepsuit up against my belly as if she’s checking it out for size.

“I’ve already spoken to Cass, she’s getting a list of your college friends and we’re all going to celebrate the impending arrival of my little niece or nephew, together.” She taps my bump proudly as she skips over to the counter and adds the sleepsuit to the heap of items already waiting to be put through the register.

“I think your sister is more excited about this baby than we are,” I tell Nic when he steps up beside me.

“Do you want to go with white or cream?” He compares the knitted sweater in his hand to my bump the same way his sister did and I shake my head and laugh.

“What?” He frowns when he notices my amusement.

“Nothing, I like them both, you choose.”

“Both, it is.” He kisses me before moving on to add them to the pile.

This is the first outing I’ve had since Dad died and I have to admit it feels good. I just don’t like the fact that we’re being followed around by a bodyguard. For Madalina it’s become normal, her guys are here too, and although Nic assures me that it’s just a precaution, I know that it’s far more than that. Nic is scared that whoever killed my dad might want to kill me too.

It’s not just grief that's kept me from venturing out, Nic’s been keeping me protected, but I’m done with wallowing around in self-pity. I have so much to be excited about, and my father would hate to see me sad at a time when I should be celebrating.

So, I push all dark thoughts to the back of my head and continue to look at all the cute, little outfits. I try not to choke when I notice the price tags. Nic is always telling me not to concern myself with money, but I can’t imagine ever getting used to that way of thinking.

“Lorna come check out this crib set.” Madalina shakes me from my thoughts when she calls me over to the other side of the room and as I move toward her, I see the concerned look that’s on Nic’s face while he speaks to the guard by the door. I manage to smile as I feel how soft the fabric of the crib set is but I can’t help wondering what’s got Nic so worried.

“Baby, I need to head off for a bit, can you get a ride back with Madalina and Vito?” he checks.

“Is everything okay?” I narrow my eyes, knowing that he’s keeping something from me.

“Everything’s fine, I’ll see you back at home.” He kisses me and his sister before he heads out the door, and nods his head at Vito.

True to his word, Nic arrives home a few hours later and when he loosens his tie and tosses his keys at the table, I can tell he’s had a rough time.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, moving toward him and greeting him with a kiss.

“It’s fine.” His attempt to smile is a feeble one and it doesn’t sit right with me.

“You don’t have to hide things from me, you know. I’m tough. I can take it.” I try to coax a better smile out of him by trailing my fingernail across his waistband.

“I know you can, but I’d rather just move on from it.” He takes a seat at the table and sighs as if he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“Nic, don’t shut me out, whatever's going on, talking about it might help.”

“Talking isn’t going to help.” He shakes his head and focuses on a spot on the table.

“Is it something to do with work?”

“Lorna, just stop. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m going for a shower.” He stands back up and heads for the bathroom, while I sit on the couch and wait for him to come back out.

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