Page 48 of The Forbidden Husband

“Well,” he said, leaning forward. “I will have guards in position all around the house, and we’ll keep the party exclusively between close family. I won’t let word get out to anyone but those invited and those catering.”

“I can arrange the caterers.”

He agreed with a short nod. “I’ll let you pick colors and foods. You can plan and organize everything if that’s what you want. Anything involving people will go through me. I have to vet the people involved in the process properly. Especially in light of recent events.”

His eyes went hard, but he turned his attention away and glanced at something on his computer screen. After a few seconds, he looked back toward me. The anger had been buried.

“Speaking of that… situation. I had another reason for inviting you here instead of a more official office.”

I straightened, my smile fading before I could control it. “What is that?”

“Enzo told me about your father.” My lips formed into a line. I knew he would, but it felt too personal for someone else to know. Of course, Enzo had to tell him. I knew he would. Giovanni needed to know so that he could put everything into motion.

“I’m sorry you had to endure him for so long before coming here. We will never treat you so horribly. You will always have respect from us here, and when we get your sisters out, the same can be promised of them.”

“I don’t want them forced into a marriage like me,” I said without thought.

He nodded. “I don’t force anyone to marry here. Those who are willing will be matched accordingly. Once this situation is taken care of, Aria, if you no longer want to be married to my nephew, you will have my protection and can go and do as you wish. We don’t plan on keeping you captive here.”

Everything began unraveling around me. My nausea grew, and I held my breath to keep the contents of my stomach at bay. They offered everything I have ever wanted. Safety. Freedom. Safety for mysisters.

And still, my father had the upper hand.

I should tell him what was to come. He deserved to know the full truth, but there was still the situation with Evelina. If Giovanni didn’t actually have the power he claimed to have—if he failed at taking out my father—she’d be the collateral.

Risking her wasn’t worth anything.

“You can go, Aria. I know this is a difficult situation. I will be in touch regarding the birthday plans. I assume you want to have it on his birthday?”

Yes, let’s let his birthday be overshadowed with a family death.

“That would be great.”

I turned and walked out of his office, but I couldn’t hold my heaving at bay. I rushed toward the nearest bathroom, fortunately finding it only two rooms down, and slammed the door behind me before dropping to my knees. Everything came rolling up my throat, worsened by the image of Giovanni dead on Enzo’s pearly white living room rug.

As my stomach settled, my eyes caught on the basket of feminine hygiene items at the back of the toilet, and I paused, considering my last period. It had been…

I counted the days on my fingers before my stomach sank. I should have started three days ago.

* * * *

I set the pregnancy test on the side of the sink, my eyes locked on the digital progress bar.

It would come back negative. It had to.

But… we hadn’t used protection. So if it didn’t come back negative, would it really be a surprise?

A sharp knock sounded on the door, and I grabbed the hand towel quickly, flinging it over the test. I rushed to the door and found Jaimie on the other side.

“What?” I asked.

Her mouth popped open for a second, then shut. “You don’t need to be snippy. You’ve been in there for twenty minutes. Is everything okay?”

I nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind me.

“Just not feeling super well,” I replied with a shrug. “I think I have food poisoning.”

She nodded, accepting my claim without a second thought.

---