Page 114 of Cruel Secrets

“Do you wish they were here?” I loop an arm around her waist, tugging her closer to me to press a kiss to her temple.

“A part of me does, but Mom still isn’t talking to me, and Zoe is keeping her distance. With the Rinaldos restructuring, she doesn’t want to rock the boat, which I understand, but she’s not likely to be the one taking over either. Noah had a stepbrother too.”

I nod. “I know about him, but I don’t think we need to worry about them right now. I think tonight we should worry about enjoying ourselves the best we can, and if your family is too stupid to call a truce for a single night to celebrate you, then they don’t deserve you.”

She leans into me. “Somehow, you know what to say when I need you to tell me the truth.”

“I think your family are a bunch of assholes for turning on you, and I hope one day they come to their senses, but until they do, you know mine is more than happy to give you all the love in the world and then some.”

“I’ve been thinking about what our lives will turn out like if we have a family like yours.”

“There’s going to be a lot of fighting when they’re growing up. Even as adults, our kids are going to argue if they’re anything like me and my siblings, but we all would die for each other in a heartbeat.”

Gia nods and takes me by the hand. “I actually have something I want to show you.”

Her fingers lace with mine and we walk down the hall to the room that’s become her art studio. She moves one of the forgeries she’s been working on to the side, showing off a painting done in various shades of black and gray with white accents here and there.

“What am I looking at?” I ask, tilting my head to the side, trying to figure it out.

“A sonogram I got done last week.”

My jaw drops as I look between her and the painting. “We're having another child?”

“I know that it might not be the time for it right now, but I started feeling weird, so I went to see Ellie and she dragged one of the ultrasound techs in. So, it’s not much of a sonogram, but I thought it might be nice to have the first one hanging in our home. I painted one of Gia’s first sonogram too. It’s in storage right now.”

I grin and scoop her up, peppering her face with kisses. “You’re going to have to get that painting out of storage so we can hang them both up.”

“I didn’t know if you were going to be happy about having another child.” Gia laughs as I set her back on her feet. “I thought it might be too soon.”

“Not even a little bit.”

“You’re sure?” She nibbles her bottom lip, but even she can’t contain the smile on her face. “I was going to tell you earlier, but Skyla convinced me that a surprise would be more fun.”

“I love it, and I love you, and I love our kids.” I grin and look at the painting again, already trying to figure out where in the penthouse we’re going to hang it.

“Speaking of Skyla, have you noticed that she’s a little off tonight?”

Just as Gia asks the question, Skyla steps into the room. She smiles and tips the champagne flute in her hand toward the picture. “I was wondering when she was going to show you that. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” I study her for a moment, noticing the dark circles beneath her eyes that her makeup doesn’t quite hide. “Want to talk for a minute?”

Skyla shrugs. “I guess.”

Gia scurries out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

I turn to Skyla, leaning back against one of the counters, careful not to touch the pallet of wet oil paint sitting out. “You seem off. You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just been a weird day. Saw someone I thought I wouldn’t see again, and it’s put me through a bit of a loop, but everything is going to be fine.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” Skyla pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations on a new baby. You’re such a good dad.”

My heart swells, eyes stinging as I hug her back before letting her go. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. If there is something wrong, you can come to me. We don’t have to tell Aiden.”

She nods, giving me a small half smile before walking out of the room.

As she disappears down the hall, I get the feeling that something is wrong with her, but I know better than to push Skyla. If there is something going on, she’ll come to me on her own later when she’s ready to talk.

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