Page 99 of Deception

So every time I hear footsteps in the hall my back straightens, I rush to the door, quietly listening for hints, conversations. Or any sign of who is approaching so that I can be ready.

Honestly, I think I’m going insane.

So much so that I find myself daydreaming of our time together in the lodge. In Aless's chamber.

It inevitably brings me back around to my pregnancy and what I’m supposed to do about it. The smartest thing to do would be to escape.

Disappear.

Not that an organization like the Diamantes couldn’t find me.

But maybe they’d be too busy to care.

Unless I’m here long enough to start showing. Once the morning sickness starts it will be next to impossible to hide for long. My maid has cleaned the bathroom twice already.

My only other option would be to use my baby as a bargaining chip. She’s the child of one of the world's most powerful mafia leaders. Nothing could be more valuable, even just the information. I could use it against him, threaten to go public.

Take him for enough money to vanish, set up a life for us, the baby, my mamma.

I hate myself for thinking of the baby that way, but as it stands that may be the only thing important enough to keep alive. I won’t hesitate to use it if one of the brothers comes to eliminate me.

That’s fine, best-laid plans and all.

It also relies on anyone coming for me at all.

It's mid-morning on the third day when a soft knock announces a visitor. They don’t automatically come in, unlike the maids.

Sitting up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I swallow, debating what to do.

Another knock.

“C-come in.”

I’m still groggy from my nap as I slip out of the covers, keeping the bed between myself and the door.

“Good morning. Hope we didn’t wake you,” a sonorous voice precedes the door opening all the way, revealing two extremely tall, very handsome men. They have to be the twins. “May we come in?”

He’s so polite.

The other doesn’t say a word, and as I get a good look at them, I see how much alike they are.

They're identical in almost every way. The way they stand, their frames. It’s the hair and eyes that set them apart.

“Um…yes.” Like I can tell them no.

“I’m Ciro Diamante. So nice to meet you.” He’s got Alessandro’s hair, Adriano’s skin tone, his lighter eyes. But his features are more feminine, prettier. Women probably go insane at the sight of him.

“Isabella Rossi.”

“Sorry, my brother is a barbarian. This is Fiero. Or Ero if you have a reason to speak to him. I don’t suggest looking for one.”

“God, you're an asshole.” The words are silky smooth, deep, barely audible. Yet they pack a punch, making me strain to hear more from him.

Until I catch him staring at me, no expression on his pristine features.

Jet black eyes bore into me like a shark watching its prey. Jet black hair sweeps back, long and luxurious. But the effect is chilling. He looks like he was bred to be a killer.

Still, he’s stunningly handsome.

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