Page 2 of Savage Hearts

I scoffed at her need to fix things, knowing they were unfixable. Turning, I stripped the only remaining connection I had to Beckett over my head and tossed it to the floor. I turned on the shower and didn’t wait for it to heat as I stepped in, pausing briefly as the cold needled my skin, and answered her.

“There is absolutely nothing you can do to rid me of the pain I feel… there is no gluing my soul or taping my carnage heart together ever again.”

one

CELESTINA

Ninety-one days,three hours, twenty-seven minutes, and thirty-eight seconds.

A few moments in a time long passed were gone, but I’d bare the permanent mark no matter how I tried to erase it. I stared at the tiny stick in my hand, wondering how in the hell my life had come to this. Tossing it into the trash, I cut on the water and shoved my hands under the scalding hot water. It had been three months since I fell in love with a monster. A monster who hadn’t tried to contact me. After I wore down my brother, Massimo told me what happened the day Tito found me at Beckett’s house. Manuel Costa sent his goons to kill us both, but somehow, I’d made it out alive. Until a week ago, I thought I was the only one.

Now I knew Beckett wasn’t dead, and I was pissed.

I thought what he felt for me was more than lust… guess I was wrong. Now I’m stuck with a constant reminder of him, whether I want one or not.

“Cee, you in there?” Carmela’s voice echoed outside the bathroom door. I heard the knob turn and winced when she stepped inside the bathroom with me. “What are you doing in here?”

She glanced around the bathroom in confusion, then her eyes land on the opened box on my counter.

“Shit,” she hissed

“Yeah. Shit.”

She moved to wrap me in her arms and rested her head on my shoulder, staring at our identical reflections in the mirror.

“Well? What’s the result?”

“Positive.”

She blew out her breath. “Maybe this is a good thing.”

“A good thing? How can being a single mother at twenty-three possibly be a good thing? God.” I closed my eyes, fighting back tears. “Why does everyone in this family have to pop babies out of wedlock? It’s like a family curse or something.”

“Stop that. You know damn well you won’t be alone. And there’s no curse. I’m not preggers, and neither is Madison.”

“Ugh… you know what I mean, Carmela. What do I tell this baby? Hey, I was kidnapped by your daddy, but we fell in love. He got stabbed, saving me from a madman, and I thought he was dead. But he’s not. He just doesn’t want me. Yeah… that’ll win me Mother of the Year.”

“We don’t seem to have the best of luck picking men, do we?” Carmela squeezed her.

Shortly after my return home, Carmela confessed what happened between her and Carlisle. That man was so stupid when it came to my sister, it was almost comical. He pushed her away but scared every man who appeared interested in her. It was painful to watch.

“I guess so.” I pulled free of her hold and walked into my bedroom. “Can you keep this little predicament between us? I’m not ready to deal with the brothers on this yet. Massimo is going to lose his shit.”

“I think you’re wrong,”—Carmela shrugged—“but I won’t tell them. You need a plan because you won’t be able to hide it long.”

She was right. My clothes had already started to get snug.

“I’ll tell themafterI see a doctor.”

I followed my twin out of my room and down the stairs. I wasn’t at all surprised to see Antonio sitting on the couch. Since I’d been back, Carmela and I had been forced to move into his massive home. After his ordeal, then Michael being kidnapped, he’d upgraded his security. Being here felt like being trapped in a gilded cage.

“Celestina.” He stood, making his way to me and enveloping me in a warm hug. “Are you doing better?”

He was referring to the vomiting episode at dinner last night. I’d suspected for a few weeks what the problem was, but I refused to acknowledge it, knowing the moment that blue line showed up, everything would be different.

“I’m fine. It must have been something I ate. Where’s Rachel and the baby?”

“With Madison.” Antonio’s smile lit up the room. “Apparently, she needed a dress for something and wanted Rachel’s help. I offered to keep him, but Rachel said I earned a guy’s day, whatever the hell that means.”

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