Page 25 of Knocked up by the Mafia

Ivan and Alessandro, though, are tougher to get around. Ivan has never liked the Quinn family. We play rough.

Alessandro may have to make a move against the Quinn family, too, if Ivan is against them, and I have a feeling they’re going to approach Ronan or declare war because of what I’m doing. I don’t work for my family anymore, not for years now, but they obviously still consider me a part of them.

I hear Natalia get out of the shower. There’s a pause. “Daniel?”

“I’m coming now,” I say, just loud enough for her to hear. I shut down my computer. To me, she’s more important. I change into tracksuit bottoms, then change the central heating to a slightly warmer setting.

I climb into bed with her and stroke her side.

“I like it when you hold me,” she murmurs.

I spoon her, sliding my arm over her waist and holding her. “I will never let you go, Nat.”

I feel her shiver and kiss her shoulder.

“Everything is going to be fine.”

I hope.

Chapter 15 - Natalia

Daniel initially said we wouldn’t be at the apartment long, but it’s been a few weeks, and no one has found us, so I’ve told him to let us stay for now. I’ve considered going out of state and country, but I won’t do that without Ivan’s approval.

If I can get him alone, away from my brother, I can convince him. I can show him that Daniel doesn’t work for the Quinn family anymore and that we are meant to be together.

I stand in front of the mirror in a tank top. My belly protrudes slightly in front of me. I put my hand on my stomach and smile as I look at my side profile in the floor-length mirror.

I want to enjoy my pregnancy and be happy with Daniel, but I can’t stop stressing over my family wanting to attack him, forcing me to go back to them. They’re treating me like a possession instead of a family member.

If I can’t convince Ivan and if the Dons won’t stop the bounty, what kind of life will we give our baby? We will always be on the run, teaching our child code words to know when they’re in danger and where to hide if they hear gunshots. What if we get killed? What will happen to our child then?

Daniel has tried to comfort me. He keeps trying to impose his power and telling me he is a threat to everyone, but it’s not helping.

We’ve been arguing over every little thing for the last two weeks. He leaves, not telling me where he’s going or how long he will be. He has bought things for the baby without me, not even letting me look online.

I feel like he’s treating me like an incubator instead of the woman he claims to love.

I walk to the little spare room where we’ve made a temporary nursery. The bedding is yellow. That was yesterday's fight. He insisted it had to be yellow where I wanted a mint green. I hate yellow. He refused to budge; he said his decision was final.

He slept on the sofa last night.

I stare at the yellow baby blanket. I know it’s an adjustment, having to think of other people. Since I was young, I was independent. I’ve never needed anyone in my life, but the pregnancy hormones are releasing at full steam, and I’m feeling overwhelmingly emotional.

It is clear as anything that Daniel has never had any sort of relationship. He acts like I can’t do anything, as though I will break if someone so much as looks at me. He’s brought the doctor to the apartment twice to do scans and refuses to let me get fresh air. I’m going crazy being cooped up.

I can make freaking decisions; I’m emotional, not stupid.

I turn around as Daniel comes in carrying shopping bags. As he passes it, he glances into the room. “You should be resting.”

“I’m not an invalid,” I snip. I leave the room and go over to the table where he is setting the bags down. “Did you get more groceries?”

“No, baby stuff.” He lets out a breath. “I wish they’d fix the elevator. Climbing all those stares with packages is getting to be a pain.”

I frown. “I wouldn’t know. I’m being kept prisoner.”

Daniel rolls his eyes. “Nat, you’re being unreasonable again.”

Again?

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