Page 70 of Surprise Pregnancy for Villain

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

Ezio reassures me that I’ve saved him just in time. He grabs my hand, and as we turn around to leave, I see Alessandro laying on the floor. He’s still breathing, and we need to escape before he can call for help. I tear my eyes away from the room and follow Ezio as he leads me down the main staircase of the manor.

“My car is just outside,” he says. Just as we make it through the front door, shots fire from behind us. We duck and throw ourselves inside the car. He dumps the bag in the backseat and steps on the gas pedal. More shots are fired, hitting the taillight and the rear glass.

“Don’t worry, it’s bulletproof,” Ezio tells me. He pulls away from the driveway, speeding like the devil toward the gates. More men try to stop us by firing at the car, but he swerves the vehicle left and then right, effectively misleading their aim. He rams the car through the gate before it closes, probably leaving a gaping scratch on the Maserati but securing us the freedom we desperately crave. We skid onto the road as Ezio steps on the gas and takes us away before the rest of his men call for backup. The Rossi manor grows smaller as we gain our distance.

“Are you okay?” Ezio asks.

“I’m okay,” I try to catch my breath.

Now that we’re alone, I realize the blood that’s dripping all over his face. I search the compartments and find a rag and start wiping the blood off his face. I clear the spots around his eyes so he can see better.

“Thanks,” Ezio mumbles.

I give him a small smile and turn my eyes back to the road. My hands are still shaking, and I reek of sweat, smoke, and dried blood. I still remember the sensation when I plunged the knife into Alessandro’s back. I throw my head against the seat with a harsh sigh, thinking about the monster I’ve become overnight.

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Ezio says as if reading my thoughts. “You defended me, and you were protecting yourself. If you didn’t intervene, he would have shot me. You would be next.”

“I know, but still, he’s your brother,” I mutter.

“He’s not my brother now,” he says. “Not after what he did to you. The bastard deserves it.” While I know that he’s right, I still can’t shake off the feelings of guilt and regret. I remember the dead man lying inside the cabin. I shot him with my gun with the intention of hurting him.

“Nicki, listen to me,” Ezio grabs my hand. “From now on, we must do everything we can to protect ourselves and our family. Nothing else matters. It’s just you and me now, do you understand?”

I nod my head. “Can you do me one last favor?”

“Name it, and it’s yours,” he replies at once.

“I need to make that one last stop.”

***

The Borelli mansion stands on the hill like a formidable figure. The place itself is at least two acres, and every gate is guarded with armed mafiosos. I instruct Ezio to take a shortcut through a dirt road that runs by one of the fence walls. It’s a spot that I usually used to sneak out when I was younger. The road is empty, so we park the car behind some bushes.

Ezio takes his position by the wall and gathers his palms together so that he can hoist me up. I step on him and with one big push, he lifts me up the wall, and I climb over it. He manages to climb the fence by himself and within minutes, we find ourselves crossing the backyard. We duck our heads to remain out of sight and climb one of the trellises to reach my bedroom window.

My old bedroom remains the same. The large queen-sized bed sits in the middle of the room, its sheets just the way I left them before I left for classes that morning. My closet is thrown open, and there are clothes scattered on the floor. My vanity contains my makeup, photos, and most importantly, my precious mementos, including a gold necklace Mom left me. I grab a suitcase and start picking off clothes from my closet. Ezio helps me pack as I gather everything that I deem important, then I write my dad a note.

Just as I’m finishing up, the door swings open.

Daddy.

“Nicoletta?” he shrieks. “What the hell is going on? Where have you been?” He raises his gun, pointing it at Ezio. “And what is this scum doing in my house?”

A sudden movement behind him stops my shocked response. Aunt Carlotta.

“I told you I heard a sound in her room,” she mumbles, coming to me, wagging a bony finger. “Where do you think you’re doing, young lady? Do you have any idea of the stress you’ve put us through? Your father has been looking for you forweeks!And you show up here as if it’s nothing and leave again?”

My father sighs, “Carlotta, let me handle this.”

Her mouth snaps shut, but she still looks displeased.

“Daddy, let me explain,” I begin, but he stops me with a raised hand. He returns his hard glare to Ezio.

“Before I put a cap in your fucking skull and send a message to your father, tell me, what the fuck are you doing in my house?”

I move in front of Ezio, my arms spread wide. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

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