Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Nonno nods. “I see. Get Michelangelo on the phone.”
“Gio? Is he in danger? Should I go back?”
“What you need to do is start carrying a gun,” he replies and places one of his still-smoking guns in my palm. “Vacation is over.”
I swear, in this moment, I see Gio, Dante, and me in my grandfather. We get it from Nonno without question.
Chapter 31
Blind Sacrifices
Carleen
I sit in my car and take a deep breath. I’m almost fifteen weeks and there’s no hiding this bump any longer. Nyla and Holly were the first to notice about a week ago.
I cover my face and groan. I have so much on my mind. It’s been a week since that call with Dario.
I freaked out when he rushed off the phone. However, after he called back to tell me he was okay, my mind turned to the question he almost asked.
He was going to ask me something about my family, but what? What does my family have to do with his mom or what he overheard that night all those years ago?
“Don’t rush me, baby. I’m thinking. We don’t want to go in there anyway,” I say to my little bump as my blander feels like it’s going to push the pee right out.
Ugh, I don’t want to go into this house. My dad is going to lose his shit.
A tap comes at my window, causing me to jump. My nerves have been shot. I swear, I feel like someone is always watching me. I’m grateful for the firearm Holly and Nyla talked me into getting. It’s made me feel a little safer.
“When did you turn into a punk, Oopies?” Toni says as I roll down the window.
“Shut up, big mouth,” I say as I wave her off.
“You need to start packing if you’re going to be out here scared. I get it, sis, your bodyguard is gone.”
“My boyfriend is away for a bit, but I’m not helpless. And, for your information, I am packing.”
“Oh shit, you might just be a Thompson after all. Bad gyal pull up. Dem Brooklyn streets live in the blood.” She snickers and opens my door. “Come on, get out. I want to see this belly you were crying about.”
“I should have ignored your call. I wouldn’t be here.”
“You can’t hide this from your dad forever. Your mother seems like she might already be onto you.” She pauses to squeal when I step out of Dario’s truck. My jacket is too tight to close, so my bump is pushing it open.
Gio came by with Jace to check in on me and he insisted I start driving Dario’s truck once he noticed my baby bump. He had a point. I was starting to struggle to get in and out of my smaller car.
“You look so adorable. I’d touch it, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that luck.”
I laugh and tug her into a hug. I don’t know why I’m ready to burst into tears as I embrace her. I swallow them down and release her.
“Let’s get this over with.”
She pitches my butt. “This baby looks good on you. When do you plan to tell him?”
I shrug. “He’s not coming back yet, and I don’t think he knows when he will. I was thinking of telling him for Valentine’s Day though.”
“Ohhhh, that’s only a few days away. Not a bad idea. You’re almost five months. He should know soon.”
I don’t respond, but I don’t disagree with her. I want to tell Dario. Especially if it continues to look like he’s not going to return soon.
“Toni, do you know if our family had some type of connection with the Di Lorenzos?”
She looks to me with wide eyes as we walk up the steps to my parents’ front door. She rolls her gaze over me and bursts into laughter. My lips part and I narrow my eyes on her.
“Why are you laughing at me?”
“You’re the smartest dummy in the family. It’s your father’s fault.” She shakes her head. “This is not a question for me, Oopies. Talk to your parents.”
I start to get pissed off. I’m tired of feeling like I’m out in the dark about so much in my life. It seems Jace knows more about me than I do. As those thoughts catch, I realize I haven’t resolved much in Dario’s absence.
I’m still stewing as my father answers the door. His gaze falls on my belly and his face hardens. I still myself for his reaction.
“Pat,” he roars. “Patricia, come get your daughter. I told you. I told you.”
My mother comes running to the door with confusion all over her face. My father rarely raises his voice unless he’s super pissed and right now, I think we should call an ambulance for the stroke he’s about to give himself.
“Carleen, you are pregnant,” Mommy sings as she tugs me in for a hug. “I knew it. I had a dream about a fish months ago.”