Page 55 of Surprise Pregnancy for Villain

Do I even want to look?That’s another question that I’m terrified of answering. Ezio is the son of the Rossi mafia empire. It would be naive of me to assume that he hasn’t done things that are questionable. And these are things that I can never ask him about.

It’s just how it works in families like ours.

When the clock strikes at noon, I eat lunch without him. It’s clear that he isn’t coming back anytime soon. The fight must have bothered him a lot. Anyway, I try to make a decent meal in the kitchen with whatever ingredients we have left in the pantry. I spot a box of mac and cheese and start stirring it in a pot. After a bland lunch, I start tidying up around the cabin. It doesn’t take long since it’s a relatively small house, so I find myself restless once again. I skim through the books that Ezio brought over a few days before and try doing some sketches. But even those activities that used to calm me and make me happy aren’t working right now.

I grab my jacket and decide to go for a walk. I step out of the cabin alone for the first time since my impromptu escape. It’s late in the afternoon, and the breeze is crisp, yet just warm enough. I descend the steps and follow the trail that we took the last time. As I walk, I try to clear my mind and instead focus on my surroundings. The trees are lush and green, and the moss is like soft pillows beneath my shoes. I quickly reach the clearing, where we had our shooting practice. Feeling a bit adventurous, I continue walking farther into the trail until I reach a small lake. The water is clear blue, reflecting the skies above, and it’s standing so still that I envy its calmness.

I take an immediate scan of the place, and it clearly looks uninhabited.Surely no one would mind if I took a quick dip.I take off my clothes and tuck them in a nearby tree. I walk to the edge of the lake and test the temperature with my foot. Surprisingly, the water is warm and inviting. I excitedly submerge myself until the water reaches my chin. The jolt of adrenaline rushes through my body, and I’m instantly taken back to a time during one of my summer vacations in the Amalfi coast when Kate and I decided to skinny-dip at night in the ocean. My father’s guards apprehended us, but it was a fun night and one that I would never forget. I indulge myself in the water. It’s been so long since I had a nice bath since the cabin only has a shower.

It’s so quiet here. I hear nothing but the birds and the breeze rustling through the trees. In the midst of this calmness, I start reflecting upon my own life. Growing up, I always knew that I didn’t want to be a gangster. I hate the way my family runs things, and I hate the fact that it’s expected of me to do the same. To live the filthy lives they lead paid for by greed, blood, and power. I can never stomach it, and I never will.

There’s still time to change things.Yes, it’s not too late. I can still choose a path for myself. And if cutting myself off from this wretched mafia life is the way to do it, then I don’t have any second thoughts. When I emerge from the water, I suddenly feel clean, as if I was born again, and I have a new sense of determination. I quickly put on my clothes and head back to the cabin.

The Maserati comes to a screeching halt as I make my way up the pathway to the house. I’ve barely taken another step when Ezio emerges from the driver’s side, his dark fury a clear sign of what he thinks about me being outside.

Oh, screw him. I can do whatever I want.

“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” he hisses, meeting me halfway.

“Apparently.” I push past him and stomp up the steps. “I should be halfway down the mountains by now, not still stuck in this godforsaken place.”

He doesn’t look amused. “You know it’s too dangerous for you to go outside,” he rumbles.

“I was literally two minutes away—”

“Yet still too far. You can’t fucking wander off when I’m not around. What part of that don’t you understand?”

I grab a bag of potato chips from the center table and start eating it as he plops down on the couch. He looks like he’s been busy. His hair is all tangled up, and he smells of beer, cheap cologne, and sweat. Ezio runs his hand through his hair in frustration.

“I was careful,” I say. “Besides, you can’t expect me to stay here all day like I’m your prisoner.” He gets up and approaches me. I drop the bag of chips and place my hands on the kitchen counter opposite his. He looks annoyed but so am I.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” he says. “You’renotmy prisoner.”

“Well then, you shouldn’t have a problem if I go out for a stroll,” I say. I turn away from him and start walking toward my room. He grabs my hand and turns me around.

“Let me go!” I pull my hand away from him.

“What the hell is your problem, Nicki?”

“My problem?Myproblem?” I scoff. “You’re the one who’s not talking to me. I don’t know what’s happening to my life right now, Ezio, and you’re the only one I have, and you don’t even talk to me. How can I fully trust you when you’re not telling me the truth?

“I already told you the truth,” he says.

“Not all of it,” I insist. “There’s something else you’re not telling me, and if you don’t, I won’t stop trying to escape until I do.”

Ezio falls silent, and it looks like I’ve struck a nerve. He lowers his gaze and crosses his arms against his chest.I was right. He’s been hiding something from me. He’s been planning to turn me over to his father, after all.

He sighs and says, “You’re right. I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

I bite my lip, waiting.

“You asked me what my father’s plans are for you. I lied when I said I didn’t know.”

“Okay…”

Releasing a harsh breath, Ezio goes on. “I’ll spare you the disgusting details, but in the end, he planned to kill you.”

Jesus.

---