Page 52 of Luca
“You and I will tell him together of the men in the past who have died,” I explained. “My guess is he’ll find them at fault because they couldn’t defend themselves. Only the strong survive in our world, Margaret.” She blinked at my odd explanation, but she knew the words to be true. “It’d be win-win for both of us,” I added.
She lowered her eyes to her pregnant belly. “What about my baby?”
“I’ll help you raise her,” I stated. “Give her my name. I’ll keep you both safe.”
Her brows furrowed. “But it’s fake. And no offense, but I’d never want my daughter to carry that last name.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Nobody else will know it’s fake. I could change my last name. Either way, your family won’t force anything on you once you’re married to me.”
She still seemed to struggle with the idea but I couldn’t give up. I needed her on board for this. Before I could say anything else, something flickered in her eyes and I cursed myself.
“I don’t know,” she noted in an uncertain voice. “Why would you go to such lengths?” she asked suspiciously.
“I’ll help you and you help me,” I repeated. “It’s a mutually beneficial agreement. I’d be honored to raise our daughter together.”
“Our?”
“If you marry me, both of you will be my responsibility and under my protection,” I told her. That was the right thing to say. Right?
Fuck, there wasn’t a chapter on this inWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting. I’d fucking drive the publishing house into the ground if they cost me my woman and child.
“It seems a crazy step to take,” Margaret murmured. I kept in my relieved sigh. Jesus, this was stressful, and I wasn’t even killing anyone.
“Are you happy? About the baby?” The words slipped before I could think twice about them. Luckily, she didn’t mind it. Pregnant Margaret Callahan was vastly different from the old Margaret I met that night all those years ago in Temptation.
“Yes,” she answered with a dreamy smile and my chest warmed. “I guess a boy in the underworld might be easier, but I can keep her safe.”
“We can,” I rasped, my throat squeezing. “If you’d let me help you, we could help each other.”
Silence stretched and I could practically see the wheels spinning in her mind. I’d have to tread carefully with her.
“Won’t your grandfather know it’s bullshit considering I’m so pregnant?” she questioned.
He would question, except he knew the baby was mine.
“He won’t. I’ll tell him you and the baby are mine.”
And they would be. For as long as my heart kept beating.
ChapterTwenty-Two
MARGARET
Being his.
Why did that sound like a deliciously bad idea?
It could be risky. For my daughter and for me. After all, I’d heard and seen what his father was capable of. I had nurtured this hate for this man and his family for too long. Although Nonno had shown me a different side to Luca and his brother.
Then there was his last name. My father would roll over in his grave if I took that last name.
But maybe it was time I let go of my hate and do what was best for my baby.
I had always wanted a warm, real marriage. My happily-ever-after, like in Disney movies. My parents' marriage was cold. I wasn’t sure if Da loved my mother, but I knew she didn’t love him. The only one she loved was herself.
Could I live for the rest of my life in a loveless marriage?
I was in the last trimester of my pregnancy. Nobody sane would want me so heavy and pregnant. Except for this man. Our paths had been crossing for years. Maybe we could help each other. It’d get my family off my back, and he’d make his grandfather happy. Luca just wanted to bring peace to his grandfather. I could actually appreciate the sentiment, and it made me see him in a completely different light.
