Page 14 of Savage Hearts

CELESTINA

Two hundred seventy-three days,four hours and sixteen seconds.

If someone had told me being nine months pregnant would be this exhausting, I would have never had sex. Okay… that’s a lie. But fuck, carrying around a human was exhausting. I wasn’t sleeping, my ankles were constantly swollen, and let’s not talk about the constant need to pee. Pregnancy was a bitch. Being stuck inside… well, that was making it fucking worse.

“Please.” I narrowed my eyes at my brothers, who were watching me, and whined. “I need to get out of this house. Just for a few minutes, Antonio. I’ve abided by you pigheaded men’s rules for the last four months. My damn doctor has made special trips here to check up on me, and I’ve not been beyond the backyard. Once this baby pops out, I won’t have the freedom to do anything.”

Massimo sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“You know it’s too dangerous. Manuel had offered one million dollars to the person who snatches you.”

Throwing my hands into the air, I groaned. “This sucks.”

“I know, Cee, and I’m sorry, but we can’t risk your safety this close to delivery.”

I nibbled on my finger. “What if it’s just to Bellissimo? Surely he wouldn’t be dumb enough to try something there.”

“To risky. Puts you out into the open.”

“Fine. Never mind. I’ll be upstairs in my room… doing nothing.”

I could hear them talking, but I didn’t care. As soon as I shut myself into my room, I called my sister.

“Hey Cee, what’s up?”

“I need to get out of this house, Ela.”

Her sigh filled the line. “You know it’s dangerous. What if someone sees you, and you're taken?”

“God… am I going to be held captive in my house even after this baby comes? Please, Ela. I need to get out. Come get me and take me to Vin’s restaurant. We’ll be safe there.”

“I don’t know, Cee. This sounds like a bad idea.”

I sniffed into the line. “I am going crazy.”

Carmela grew quiet, mulling over my request.

“How am I going to get you out of there? You know, Antonio watches you like a hawk.”

“I have a plan. Just come over. He won’t think anything of you coming to spend time with me.”

“I’m going to regret this, but… fine.” She groaned. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

After disconnecting the call, I ambled down to the living room and strode across the space to Antonio’s office. He’d moved his primary location to their home after what had happened to Michael. Easing open the door so as not to disturb him, I peered around the frame.

“Stop snooping and just come inside.” Antonio barked.

I stepped inside and paused. The last person I expected to see standing there was Carlisle.

“Shouldn’t you be at the bar?”

“I had to drop something off for the boss man.”

Ignoring him, I turned toward my brother and smiled.

“Since I can’t leave, I need you to run to the store, please.”

Antonio sat up in his seat straighter. “Get one of the guards to go.”

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