Page 37 of Bound By Sin
“Sis! Oh my God!”
Laila wrapped her arms around Tara the best she could. I smiled at the sight. Tara was almost seven months and looked absolutely stunning. She didn’t think so, but pregnancy looked damn good on her.
It had been over a year since she had seen her sister, and I’d had to jump through fucking hoops to make it happen this time. If it wasn’t for Rizzo’s wife, I don’t think Antonio would have relented and allowed this trip.
She stepped away and rubbed her extended stomach. To say I was shocked we were pregnant again would be an understatement. We thought she may have had cancer, and although every test came back negative on that front, the pregnancy test didn’t, throwing us both for a fucking loop.
I couldn’t even speak on the way home. My thoughts were all over the place. With Nia, I wasn’t around when she was small, so I didn’t really know how to be a father to a newborn. Would I drop it? Babies were so fragile. But the thought I might unintentionally harm my kid didn’t stop my excitement about him being here. Neither of us had even thought about pregnancy still being a possibility for us because of our ages, but here we were, two months away from having a boy.
She kissed Elijah on the cheek while I kissed Laila on the cheek, then shook Elijah’s hand.
“I’m so glad you guys could come.”
Laila shifted back and forth on her feet.
“How’s my nephew,” she asked, touching Tara’s stomach.
“Kicking my ass.”
I chuckled, and she rolled her eyes. Tara had been complaining that I’d been way overprotective since I found out she was pregnant, but I was trying to make things easier for her. I’d been buying a shit ton of baby clothes so she didn’t have to do it, and I’d been trying to get her to eat a little healthier because she was suffering from heartburn and complaining about everything. But I knew I was getting on her nerves even though she didn’t say anything, but I also couldn’t help it.
Laila chuckled. “How long can you guys stay?”
I knew the question would come up. Tara and I had this conversation every time before we came into town. I explained that our timeline could not be changed despite her wanting to stay longer with her family. Even this visit hadn’t been the easiest to orchestrate, and I wasn’t going to go back on the promise I made Don Rizzo about how long we’d be here.
“We have to be out of Chicago by noon,” Tara said.
“The next time you guys want to come into town, let me handle arrangements.” Laila’s hands went to her hips. “I’ll call Aaliyah because Tony’s being an ass.”
I laughed because he was being a complete asshole about the situation, but I couldn’t blame him. This was his territory, and he had to keep his family safe, so I completely understood, even if they didn’t.
“He may be, but I would be the same way. It’s his territory, and I understand, even if I don’t like it. We all have rules.”
Tara grabbed Laila’s hand. “Valentino will handle all that, Laila. Don’t get in the middle, please?”
I was so glad Tara said that to Laila. There was no way they could possibly understand the shit that had to be in place to make sure we made it out of Chicago safely. Promises and deals had to be made on every trip we made here, and the more we came, the more damn concessions I had to make. Antonio was definitely getting the better end of the deal, but what I had to do to make my woman happy would always come first despite what I had to give up.
Laila sighed deeply but nodded.
Thank fuck.
I could only imagine the phone call I’d have to make if she interfered. The shit I’d have to give Rizzo to make peace between our families.
“I hate to break this up, but I got some things to handle with this pretty lady,” Elijah said, smiling.
Laila’s face flushed. I understood completely. I was glad Tara got to see her sister, but I wanted to fuck my woman.
“Come by the house in the morning before you guys leave,” Laila said. “We’ll do breakfast.”
I really didn’t want to. I wanted to head back to Philly as soon as possible.
“Sounds good,” Tara said.
Guess we’ll be having breakfast in Chicago.
She gave her sister a quick hug before Elijah guided Laila away.
“Let’s go,” I whispered. I was tired of waiting. “If you’re a good girl for Sir, I’ll give you a surprise.”
