Page 40 of Surprise Pregnancy for Villain

“Hm,” is all Stefano can muster. He takes a big gulp from his glass and wipes his lower lip with his tongue. “Is that why you’re all packed and ready to go? Going on another one of your excursions?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Let me see that bag,” my father beckons at Alessandro.

My brother snatches the duffel bag from my hand and brings it over to the table. Stefano opens the bag, and I catch myself holding my breath. He rummages through it but finds nothing but clothes and fresh towels. He closes it and tosses the bag back to me.

“This is my last warning,” he says. “You’re too mysterious, Ezio. And I didn’t raise my sons to be so secretive. I don’t like the fact that you’re doing assignments and not reporting them back to me. It makes me look weak, and as the Don, I cannot afford to look weak. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” I answer through gritted teeth.

“You are dismissed,” Stefano waves me off with his hand and then tells Alessandro, “Send the other men inside on your way out.”

“Yes, sir,” Alessandro salutes him like a pathetic puppy.

I hoist the bag over my shoulder and storm out of the den. Alessandro follows me closely behind as we walk through the doors and past the men waiting outside. When we reach the ground level of the manor, my brother’s voice stops me.

“You might have fooled our father, but you don’t fool me,” he calls.

“Good for you, smartass,” I mutter, then moves on.

The heavy thud of his footsteps come at me. I whip around, meeting him face to face.

“You’re hiding something. I just know it. Whatever it is, it must be huge. It has to be. Why else would you lie to our father like that?”

I quirk a brow. “Did I?”

My brother smirks. “If I were you, I wouldn’t admit it, either. You know quite as well as I do that the punishment for betrayal is death. I’m going to miss you, dear brother.”

He adds extra sap to his last sentence, and they stick to me like venomous spit.

“Miss? I bet you’ll dance around my grave when I die,” I snap at him.

“Maybe I will.” He scoffs. “No matter how emotionless you think you might be, I can still see through you. And I’ll find out what you’re up to, sooner or later.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask.

“It can be,” he gives me another smug grin and starts walking back to his room. “It’s your choice, Ezio.”

I turn around and make my way back to my car. It’s tempting to call my brother’s bluff since there’s a chance that he’s only goading me. Yet, my instincts scream that I shouldn’t. There’s a chance that Alessandro knows way more than he’s letting on.

Which means I need to proceed with caution.

Throwing the bag onto the backseat, I turn on the engine, then look back at the Rossi manor, seeing it in its full glory – a monument built on power, money, and blood. A monument that I’ve been destined to govern ever since I took my first breath. Do I want to take my last breath in this hellhole, though? Is this how I want to spend the rest of my life?

As I roll through the wrought iron gates, my foot heavy on the gas pedal, something lands heavy in my gut. It’s not until I get on the highway that I realize what it is.

Awareness. A sinking awareness. The time will come when I’ll be forced to make a choice, and when I do, someone’s going to lose.

Lose terribly.

Chapter Seventeen

Nicoletta

It’s been hours since Ezio left, but I’m still rooted to the same spot. The warmth from the fireplace dries my hair and helps my body regain my normal temperature. I’ve taken off my clothes and placed them near the mantel where they dry off. I wrap the towel tighter around my shoulders. It’s almost dawn, and I haven’t eaten anything since I got back, so I make my way to the kitchen and search the cupboards. I find a can of chicken noodle soup and start heating it on the stove. My stomach grumbles as the savory aroma of chicken and mushy carrots wafts through my nose.

Pouring the contents into a bowl, I grab a seat near the counter. I finish the bowl in less than ten minutes and scoop up the remaining drops with a piece of bread I found on one of the shelves.

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