Page 78 of Secret Babies for the Italian Mafia Boss

“Yeah, and apparently, he has a bone to pick with me.”

“I’ll bring backup.” Alvize hangs up just as I’m pulling into the Thompson estate. The gates are open, and Camilla’s car is there.

The leaves have fallen, causing the ground to be a flood of browns and tans. The fountain is filthy, and no water is inside it. The entire house appears to be gloomy.

As I park, I get my gun out and cock it.

I want to be ready to pull the trigger with no questions asked.

And no hesitation to stop me.

Chapter Nineteen

Camilla

It’s hard being in a house full of good memories but tainted by one bad one that ruined them all. It’s funny that I’m back where I started. I’m with my children, who my father blamed for ruining my life and banishing me. And since I took a pregnancy test this morning, my suspicions were correct.

I’m pregnant with Luca’s baby.

Again.

“This is where you grew up, Mommy?” Olivia asks, running through the living room.

“This is it.” Everything is covered in sheets, and I yank them off the couch only to be welcomed by a cloud of dust. I cough and fan my face.

“It’s big.” Oliver tilts his head back and stares at the ceiling with round eyes.

“Will we be living here now?” Olivia asks, pressing her face against a window.

“I think so. I’ll clean it up, and it will be as good as new. Your grandpa left all this for us.”

“Is Luca coming?” Oliver plops down on the couch.

“I—I don’t know.” I need space from him. I couldn’t pretend like everything was okay with that knowledge of him scheming me. If he wants to talk, that’s fine, but I can’t do that right now.

“Can we go look for our rooms?”

“Oh, yeah! Can we, can we?” Oliver begs, standing on the couch and bouncing.

“No bouncing on the couch. Yes, you can. Be careful, okay? Stay on this floor. Do not go up the stairs. Understand?”

“Yes!”

“If I find out you went up the stairs, no Aunt Cora for two weeks.”

They gasp, nodding at me in sync before they dash away, giggling as they explore their new home.

When they’re gone, I take a moment to break, hiding my face in the sheet as I sob. The pain is so much. I miss Luca. I was tired of being on my own, but I guess the only person I could really trust was myself. I can’t believe he asked for my hand in marriage and what is worse is my dad was okay with it. He sold me like a horse to the highest bidder, his rival, no less.

It’s hard to find understanding in that, and it’s impossible to find forgiveness.

Something clinks behind me, and I turn around; the only thing I can hear is my breath. Nothing is there. It’s just the entrance to the kitchen.

I fold the sheet and place it on the coffee table, then remove another one from the entertainment center, revealing a huge flat-screen TV.

A creak sounds, and I hold my breath before glancing over my shoulder to where the noise is coming from.

“It’s just an old house with old bones. It’s going to make noises,” I tell myself as I fold the next sheet.

---