Page 91 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

“Claire Bishop,” called the nurse from the door leading to the exam rooms.

I couldn’t use the name Claire Ainsley, for using that would risk my business details leaking to gossip sites. I had donned a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, rarely without them, since Ivan was still on the prowl.

Amadeo told the nurse he’d wait just outside my door, which I knew must look odd, a big, muscular man lingering near the nurse’s station.

After providing a urine sample, I entered the exam room. The doctor arrived shortly after and asked several questions to ensure I was committed to the abortion. Lying on the exam table, I gazed at the ceiling. She had me lift my blouse and applied a cold gel to my belly. “I need to determine how far along you are, so we’re going to do an ultrasound. Would you like to listen to the heartbeat?”

“Yes,” I replied.

I wondered silently if hearing my baby’s heartbeat might somehow change my mind.

The heartbeat thumped loudly in the small exam room—it was strong and insistent.

“You’re six weeks pregnant,” she said, a sparkle lighting up her brown eyes.

How could she still smile like that, knowing so many women came here merely to end their pregnancies? Perhaps she hoped to sway my decision.

Tears began streaming down the sides of my face.

“Would you like to proceed?”

I wiped my tears away and answered, “Yes.”

In two days, I’d finally move into the warehouse—no more living out of a suitcase. After the clinic, Amadeo insisted on stocking up on water and a heating pad.

Back in the hotel suite, I collapsed onto the bed and couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Vino preparing dinner for me. I missed his Bolognese sauce terribly. My hand curled around the t-shirt he’d hidden in my suitcase. I breathed in its intoxicating scent. I knew it wasn’t exactly healthy.

As much as I hated how he went about pursuing me, I still loved him.

After waking from my nap, I wandered into the living room to grab some grapes from the fridge, only to have my mouth drop open at the sight of crimson roses arranged in neat rows in clear glass vases along the window. They nearly covered the dining table, too. Such an extravagant display could only come from one person—unless our enemies were sending a cruel message. I removed the card attached to the bouquet carefully.

The card read:

Claire,

I understand you had a procedure done this morning. You’re no longer carrying our child.

Panic struck me. My bodyguards told him anyway.

It’s important that you rest. Drink plenty of fluids. I ordered a variety of tea.

Love, Vino

I traced my fingers over the water stains at the bottom of the card, wondering if Vino had cried.

Tears blurred my vision as I realized he had done this for me even after…I covered my mouth and sobbed.

I heard the door slam shut. My gaze met a set of gray eyes.

“Amadeo, you told him?” I asked.

“He called to check on you, asking if you picked up any pregnancy tests. I had to tell him where we’d taken you this morning,” he replied.

His eyes narrowed. “I could tell he murdered someone this morning. He thought he hung up the phone, but he didn’t. Then I heard him throw something across the room. He was angry, to say the least.”

Amadeo’s eyes darkened. “I’m loyal to the Romano Crime family first. Not telling him the moment you gave us the address could put me and Renato in that fucking meat locker,” he growled.

My heart dropped to my feet. “You’re right. You have no loyalty to me.”

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