Page 4 of A Mafia Christmas

Beth exhaled, and her stomach loosened enough for her to take a deep breath. “Did she have any suggestions on how I should get there without being seen? I don’t want to take any chances with this baby, and Alastair always tells me people are watching and waiting to take him down.”

“Mama asked if there was a gate you could sneak out of?”

Beth shook her head. “No. After I was taken because I followed what I thought was a kitten, Alastair had all the fences around the property improved so no one else could get to me.”

Beth looked off down the garden path, and tears started to fill her eyes. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Her friends looked worried.

“I don’t know. I do know that man loves you with a depth of emotion I never thought anyone could have. Blake loves me, I know that, but he doesn’t have that … I don’t know what to call it—maybeobsession—to keep me safe and happy, that your husband has.”

“Have you thought about Angus? This is going to break his heart,” Hope said.

Beth nodded. It was almost as hard to leave her father-in-law as it was her husband. Angus had given her a taste of what it was like to have a parent that cared. Something she’d never felt before.

“What do I tell him?” Beth asked. “I don’t want to hurt either of them or make them worry.”

Faith tapped her arm. “Is there a chance you could tell him what’s going on?”

“I thought about that, but I’m afraid he’d go right to Alastair.”

All three women sat in silence, thinking their own thoughts for a moment.

“If he makes me stay locked up here, I couldn’t handle it. But I can’t think of a way I’d be able to escape?” God, that sounded horrible. She wasn’t in prison. It was just that Alastair worried about her safety.

“What if we made you look like one of us?” Hope said. “The three of us could be going to spend time with our mother.”

“How?”

“I wear glasses sometimes. We could braid your hair, put the glasses on you, and dress you in one of her outfits.”

Faith nodded. “I think that’s the only way.”

Beth nodded. “Okay, we’ll try it.”

“Three of us usually hold each other’s hands as we’re walking, so we’ll do that. We’ll think of more ways we can disguise you,” Hope said.

“What are you guys talking about?” Angel asked as she walked up to them.

Beth looked at the other two. “I think we need to tell her.”

Faith nodded. “Beth is pregnant.” She held up a hand when Angel started to get excited. “Alastair doesn’t want children.”

Angel sat down by her and held her hand. “I’m sorry. What can I do?”

“Mom said she can live with her,” Hope said.

“You really think he’ll kick you out?” Angel asked.

Beth shrugged. “I don’t know what he’ll do. I’ve thought of all the scenarios. If he grounds me, we’re going to sneak me out of the house to your mom’s. I’ll leave a note for Alastair and tell him what’s happening. I figure if he wants me, he’ll come for me.”

“Oh, he’ll want you,” Angel said.

Beth wasn’t so sure.

“I think you guys are making this too complicated,” Angel said. “I think you should tell him privately. He might surprise you and be happy.”

Beth looked at the other two. “I’m thinking about that.”

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