Page 131 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

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Karina

“And if Etta is the new don, what does that mean for the child she’s carrying? If it’s yours?” I ask.

He’s already told me that he wants to be a part of his son or daughter’s life, but I can’t see how that would be possible, especially if the Rinaldi’s kill Don Bianchi.

Aurielo parks out front and shuts off the engine. He doesn’t step out of the car. He turns to face me.

“I’ll probably never see the kid,” he says. “Unless there are long, drawn-out court battles, and even then, she’d try to destroy my reputation. I’m sure she’d fight for full custody.”

“And that’s assuming she hasn’t bought the judge,” I say.

“Yeah, that’s highly possible too,” Aurielo mutters under his breath. He opens the car door, and I do the same.

A moment later, he’s at my side, offering me his arm as he escorts me back inside the mansion.

But this time, I don’t feel imprisoned. I feel safe at home.

His hand falls to the small of my back as we head in through the main doors. “Do you want anything to drink? A snack?” Aurielo asks.

I slip out of my shoes and leave them by the door.

“I can’t eat another bite.” It was amazing to me how much food he ordered and that we managed to eat all of it. Aurielo was right. The portions were tiny. I glance at the stairs. “I want to check on Ashton. Tuck him into bed.”

“All right,” he says.

I head quietly up the staircase. It’s nearing midnight, and I don’t know how many people are awake, but I don’t want to be the cause. I’m quiet when I approach the bedroom door. Giovan is stationed outside the door.

Is he preventing Ivy from leaving or guarding Ashton?

I sneak into their bedroom and give Ashton a kiss goodnight.

Ivy stirs, rolling around on the cot. The metal squeaking as she shifts. “Your home,” she says. Her eyes open lazily, but she still looks tired. “How was your date?”

“We can talk about it more tomorrow.” I have off and don’t want to keep her up or wake Ashton. I bend down and kiss her cheek. “Thanks for looking after Ash.”

“No problem,” she says with a muffled yawn. “Where else would I go?”

I laugh under my breath. “Go back to sleep.” I ease myself out of their bedroom and across the hall.

Aurielo is already in the shower. There’s a trail of his clothes on the floor. Can’t he pick up after himself?

I don’t clean up after him. I glance from the dresser to the bathroom.

Oh, fuck it. Tonight went really well.

I don’t want it to be over.

I sneak into the bathroom. The shower is running, and the curtain is closed.

“Karina?” Aurielo asks.

“I guess I’m not good at sneaking in,” I confess as I strip out of my dress. I didn’t wear any panties, but he didn’t get the opportunity to discover that small secret. Maybe next time.

There will be a next time. Won’t there?

I need to make certain, especially if there’s any chance that Etta’s carrying his child. I don’t want any second thoughts running through his head that he should have chosen her, married her, been with her.

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