Page 67 of Unwilling Vow (Mafia Marriages 4)

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Thirty-Four Weeks Pregnant

Olivia

It’s been four days since I’ve seen Jace. He’s been away on business, insisting on traveling overseas now to finalize all the details of his merger before the baby is born.

Why he has to wait until I’m thirty-four weeks pregnant is beyond me.

Jace swears he moved the deal up and that it’ll be a short trip to Italy.

What I wouldn’t give to travel to Europe. Well, not in my current condition, with swollen ankles, a huge pregnant belly, and my bladder constantly being crushed by the little gymnast inside.

I’ve taken maternity leave a little early. While the doctors haven’t insisted on bedrest, they did recommend that I take it easy. And at Jace’s instance, I packed up my desk, which leaves me a lot of free time at the house.

I stalk down the stairs. The weather is blustery outside, but I want to get a little sunlight and fresh air.

“Where are you going?” Matteo asks.

He didn’t accompany Jace on the trip to Italy, but he does talk to him every day, constantly reporting on my condition. Jace could just call me, but he doesn’t.

“Outside, for a walk.” I zip up my parka, which is huge and fluffy. It’s plenty warm and will be a waste of a decent coat when I’m no longer pregnant.

“It’s freezing outside, and you’re pregnant.”

I scoff. “It’s Los Angeles, not Antarctica. Besides, the doctor said that fresh air and taking a walk are good for me. You can’t keep me locked up in this place just because I’m pregnant.”

Matteo grumbles under his breath. “Markus!” he shouts to the younger guard.

Markus hurries toward us from down the hall. “Yes, Sir?”

“Escort Olivia on her afternoon walk. Be back before sundown,” Matteo says as he glances at his fancy watch.

Matteo dashes around the corner and into a nearby office, leaving me alone with Markus. That’s fine with me. He’s much easier to deal with if I have to bring a guard with me.

“Help me with my shoes?” Reaching my feet is problematic with my round pregnant belly in the way.

Markus doesn’t object. He’s quick to offer me a seat on the bench near the door. Within a few short minutes, he’s got my shoes on, secure, and then helps me to my feet.

“Thank you,” I say. I grab the beanie from my jacket pocket and slip it on before sliding my hands into my gloves.

Markus wears little more than a black coat and boots. There’s no hat or gloves. Is he trying to show he doesn’t need those things?

“Where are we heading?” Markus asks, as he escorts me outside. “Your usual route?”

There aren’t that many ways to tour the neighborhood. Once past the gates, the road goes east and west. After a half-mile, there’s another street that connects and offers a different path.

I’m not sure how much walking I have in me with the little one pressing on my bladder. But I want to see sunlight before it’s dark. I hate how dark it gets earlier in the day. I loathe winter.

However, after being contained in the mansion and without many places to go, the outside keeps looking better and better.

The guards open the wrought-iron gates, and we step on through. Markus glances at my feet. “You’re going to need winter boots. I can’t believe Jace hasn’t insisted on buying you a pair. Those shoes aren’t the least bit warm.”

“You haven’t tried them,” I say. “They’re lined with fur and comfortable.” They are short for snow and resemble clogs that aren’t particularly helpful when it’s wet outside.

Markus grimaces. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask as we head just past the mansion.

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