Page 75 of Unwilling Vow (Mafia Marriages 4)

29

Olivia

She’s beautiful. Ten fingers and ten toes. She’s perfect, albeit tiny and fragile, weighing just over four pounds.

She’s whisked away to the NICU. I don’t want her to be alone. What if Luka and his men go after her?

As soon as I’m allowed, a nurse helps me into a wheelchair to spend time with my baby girl in the NICU.

It’s dangerous, thinking of her asmine. But Jace isn’t here, and there are men with guns just a few feet away behind a set of double doors that offer no protection.

The nurse doesn’t pay them any attention as she strolls me right on by them to see my baby girl.

Markus and Matteo are both in the hallway. Neither says a word to me.

There’s a sadness in their eyes. Is it regret? Anger? I can’t read them.

There’s no sign of Luka and his men, but that doesn’t mean they’re not nearby. Waiting for me.

I am escorted past both of Jace’s men and into the NICU. Is it true, is he mafia? My stomach is heavy, weighed down by a lead ball tormenting me.

Why can’t I have this one moment of happiness?

Although how can I be truly happy? It’s not giving up the baby that hurts me as much as the fact she’s still so fragile. She wasn’t ready to come out into this world yet, and those monsters made her come early.

Not to mention what they said.

It all must be lies.

I blame Luka Caruso. He was behind my abduction, snatching me off the street. What he said about Jace being responsible for my family’s death can’t be true. Whatever is going on between Luka and Jace it doesn’t involve me.

It can’t.

Jace would have told me the truth. He wouldn’t keep secrets from me. Would he?

“Have you thought of a name yet?” the nurse asks.

“She’s not mine to name,” I whisper.

The nurse gives me a peculiar look. “I’m the surrogate,” I explain. “Her father should be here soon. He was out of the country—”

She wheels me up alongside the open incubator.

“I realize it may look scary, but the bed is keeping her warm,” the nurse says. “The good news is that she’s just over the threshold of being four pounds. Hopefully, she won’t have to stay in the incubator for long. The doctors are monitoring her vitals and will speak with you soon.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

I cradle the little baby in my arms. I hadn’t planned to breastfeed her, but I also didn’t expect her to be born early. She’s cradled against my skin, latched on when Jace enters the room.

“Is that her?” Jace asks. His cheeks are red, his eyes groggy. He appears exhausted.

Makes two of us. Possibly, three.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to be there when you delivered.”

“I know,” I say. I glance from Jace back down to the little girl in my arms. “I wasn’t going to feed her like this, but the doctor said it would be beneficial, and it’s easier for her to digest breast milk than formula.” I offer a weak smile.

---