Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
I shower and change, doing my best to think about the life-altering decisions that deserve my attention, but it’s futile. I can’t focus on anything but the far-fetched notion that my symptoms are born from a different reason than delayed shock and accumulated breastmilk.
I leave the room quietly, looking up and down the hallway before going downstairs. Saverio is nowhere to be seen. The study door is closed. He probably isolated himself in there, and I’m pathetically grateful for that. I can’t avoid him forever, but I need a little time to pull myself together.
When I’ve fed Claire and put her down for her nap, I drive to the pharmacy with a convoy of guards following me and buy a box of pregnancy tests.
At home, I lock myself in the bathroom and follow the instructions on the leaflet. While I wait for the results, I let my imagination run wild. I sit on the edge of the bath, biting my nails as I contemplate what it will mean if the test is positive.
Saverio will never believe me. He’ll think I cheated on him. Maybe he’ll suspect Benson Bennett, who offered me fifteen million to have sex with him and who sent me a ridiculously huge bouquet of roses.
The thought hurts my chest. I wouldn’t want Saverio to go through that after the pain he suffered when Rachele cheated on him. I’d hate for him to accuse me of doing the same when I’m innocent. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stomach or forgive such an accusation.
Wait.
Why am I even wasting my time with this line of thought? The only man who touched me was Saverio, and he can’t have children. I’m being silly. Stupid, really. I’m not pregnant. I just panicked and jumped the gun.
I huff out a laugh at how ridiculous I’m being, relief already setting in when I pick up the stick and look at the test window.
Two blue lines.
What?
Shock pelts me from all directions like hail raining down from the sky.
Impossible.
It can’t be.
I cup my stomach, shaking as my body turns to ice.
I blink once, twice, but there it is.
Two blue lines.
I’m pregnant with Saverio’s baby.
Chapter
Forty-Five
Saverio
* * *
I sit in my study and ponder the situation. I don’t know how to fix this. Nicole said hi before she left. She told me Anya should be fine after the injection but that I should give her a little space to find her balance before bearing down on her again. It was a nice way of telling me my presence makes my wife sick.
So here I am, giving my wife space when all I want to do is go to her. I admit it. I deserved that. I deserved to be put in my place. Maybe her leaving me is my punishment for all the wrongs I committed when it comes to my treasure. But imagining my life without her in it is like a blade to the throat. She may as well push that knife deep and leave me to bleed out.
I clench my hands on the desk. I’m not going to force her to stay. I’m not going to lock her up or threaten her with people’s lives. We moved beyond that a long time ago. However, I’ll be damned if I let her get away without a fight. I’ll put every ounce of my seduction and manipulation skills into that war. Come hell or high water, I’ll win her back.
A knock falls on the door, disrupting my internal raving session. The object of my thoughts opens it and steps inside. I go still at the sight of her in those tight jeans and the form-fitting sweater that show off her curves. Her red hair hangs over one shoulder in fiery, silky waves. Thank goodness there’s a peachy hue on her cheeks. The freckles on her nose seem paler now that her skin has some color again.
“Anya,” I say, my voice scraping in my throat.
Her manner is almost shy. “Am I interrupting?”
“No.” I get to my feet. Ignoring the cane, I round my desk. My question is gruff, emotions clogging up my chest. “How are you feeling?”
“I can eat again.”
“Good.” I motion at her arm. “Do you need a painkiller?”
She shakes her head, her gaze moving over the gray suit and blue tie I donned while she was overseeing the breakdown of the gazebo. “Are you heading out?”
“I called a meeting at the club. I have to bring the men up to speed.”
She nods, understanding how it works. “I can come back later.”
“I’m not going before three o’clock. Dante is getting word about the meeting to the guys. It takes time to get everyone together.”
Instead of coming closer, she remains by the door, looking ready to bolt.
Afraid I’ll scare her away, I stay where I am, resisting the urge to eliminate the distance between us. “You should let me have a look at that wound.”