Page 74 of Surprise Pregnancy for Villain

Ezio makes a sound between a laugh and a sob. He cuddles Gianna against him, his chest bouncing with hard breaths as he watches the judge reading all the other charges, criminal racketeering and tax evasion among the long list. Not only until he’s done and adjourned the jury does Ezio finally turn his watery eyes on me.

“It’s over,” he mumbles. “He’s going away for a long time.”

With a choked cry, I fall on my knees in front of Ezio and wrap my arms around him and Gianna. “We’re finally safe,” I whisper.

He kisses the top of my head. “Finally.”

Gianna gurgles, her tiny body wiggling between us. She’s awake. I take her from Ezio, who turns the TV off and leads us to the front porch. For the first time since we moved into this two-story lake home, he leaves the front door open.

I relax on the wicker couch while he goes to make Gianna’s bottle. Sighing with contentment, I take in our vast property. It’s on the end of the street with at least two acres of yard with a long gravel driveway leading up to the house. The house still has its unique designs and motifs from the era it was built, and there’s a spacious garage adjacent that can fit two cars and still have room. From the living room windows, we have a panorama view of the lake, and the sliding doors connect to a pathway that runs all the way down to our private dock.

It's an old sixties house, one I fell in love with from the moment we saw it four months ago. Yet, it’s not until this moment that it feels like home. We can finally settle, and I can design it however I want.

Happiness bubbles inside me. For the first time in a year, I’m totally looking forward to our future.

My cell phone beeps, and I smile at the message from Katie.

Katie:Just saw the news! I hope they throw away that goddamn key!

Me:I hope they melt it, just in case someone finds it and tries to set him free.

Katie:(laughing emoji)

Katie:How is Ezio taking the verdicts?

Me:He’s relieved, but I think there’s some sadness lingering beneath it. He was his father, regardless.

Katie:I imagine how conflicting that must feel. Being alive and safe overrules that sentimental attachment, I think.

Me:You’re absolutely right.

Katie:How is my goddaughter doing?

Me:She’s still quite an angel. Ezio and I are amazed at how easy she’s been making this for us.

Katie:I can’t wait to finally meet her. Now that the trial has ended, I can book my flight.

Me:I’m so looking forward to it!

Katie:Oh, that’s an understatement, babe.

My cellphone chirps with an incoming call.

Me:Speaking of dads, mine is calling. I’ll check up with you later.

I answer Daddy’s call after pressing send.

“Finally, I can sleep tonight,” he greets me. “I’ve never been more relieved in my life.”

“You and me both, Daddy,” I reply as Ezio enters the porch with the bottle in his hand. I take it from him and press the nipple into Gianna’s waiting mouth.

We spend the next half an hour discussing the trial and how it affects Daddy’s next move. The Rossi empire has fallen, but there are enemies still around. Take Lucca’s family, for instance. They weren’t pleased at the turn of events, and he knows they’ll be out for revenge. Daddy assures me that he’s secured. Now that he’s the most powerful boss in the state, they won’t dare to cross him so easily. If only he’ll leave that life behind and start over, like me and Ezio did. It’s wishful thinking, but I’m hoping, anyway.

“He’ll be fine,” Ezio says knowingly after I hang up. He takes Gianna from me, then pulls me into him with his free hand. “We all will be.”

I tilt my chin to peer up at him, seeing the hint of sadness there. With a sigh, I smooth the creases in his forehead.

“It’s okay to mourn what was,” I tell him. “He was still your father.”

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