I shake my head frantically. “No, no, no.”

He offers a happy smile. “I need you to take a seat right here,” he orders, pushing me to my knees beside Emerson, “all night time. Don’t fucking transfer and don’t fall asleep. You need to take into consideration what you’ve finished tonight, the heartbreak you’ve gotten triggered to her household.”

“However . . . I don’t . . . I can’t . . . please, Dante.”

He slaps me laborious, so laborious it seems like my mind is bouncing round in my cranium. “Don’t transfer or I’ll discover Callie and she or he’ll be a part of her.”

I watch as Dante and Enzo go away, closing the door behind them.

I gently transfer Emerson’s hair from her face earlier than closing her eyes. Then I curl up behind her and wrap my arm round her waist, similar to we used to once we have been youthful. I remind her of the instances once we have been carefree and the way we’d chuckle at silly issues. I inform her how sorry I’m, and the way I solely misplaced contact along with her to avoid wasting her. However in the long run, I couldn’t.

After which I urge God to listen to me and free me from this hell.

Current day . . .

I stare at myself within the full-length mirror. The bruises littering my physique are vibrant, if nothing else. Dante has been true to his phrase during the last month. He’s attempting laborious to get me pregnant, and each time he’s dwelling, we’ve intercourse. Chilly, laborious, forceful intercourse, and every time, I ponder why the hell he would wish to deliver a baby into this mess. He can’t even attempt to conceive it with love and kindness. These bruises aren’t from his fists, for as soon as, but someway, it feels worse as a result of I’d quite his fists beat me than him pressure himself on me to get me pregnant.

I’m grateful for one factor—Nero. He’s stored me sane these previous couple of weeks. He’s stored his phrase and hasn’t instructed Dante something. He feeds me secretly daily. He’s sort and humorous, and he finds locations to take me so I’m not caught in the home. I’m even noticing a slight tan on my pores and skin from our days spent sightseeing.

Right now is my birthday. I’m excited as a result of Nero has plans for our day, and he’s been teasing me all week, giving me clues. I can’t costume in something that doesn’t cowl me up, so I select denims and a shirt, and after I look again within the mirror, I determine to unfasten the highest two buttons. It’s hardly revealing something, however I smile as I bounce downstairs. Right now, I really feel stunning, and I haven’t felt like that in such a very long time.

Nero is ready within the kitchen. He picks me up and spins me round till I chuckle. “Joyful birthday.” He places me again on my toes and produces a small field. I take it, biting my lip to cover my smile. “It’s simply one thing small.”

“You shouldn’t have,” I whisper, rigorously eradicating the wrapping paper. I haven’t celebrated my birthday since I met Dante, so getting a present feels alien. I open the field to disclose a fragile silver bracelet with a tiny diamond. “It’s your birthstone . . . April,” he explains.

I throw my arms round him. “Thanks a lot. I adore it.”

He wraps me in his robust arms and one thing shifts between us. As I pull again, we stare into one another’s eyes, and for a second, I ponder kissing him. Fuck, I actually wish to kiss him. However then the entrance door slams and we pull aside. I shove my reward into the closest drawer and switch simply as Dante walks in. “Joyful birthday, my beautiful spouse,” he says, smiling shiny. I frown as he pushes a bunch of flowers into my palms and kisses me on the pinnacle.

“Thanks,” I mutter, feeling confused. Nero smiles awkwardly.

“And right here’s a particular reward,” Dante provides, inserting a protracted, skinny, wrapped field in my hand. “Nero, we gained’t be needing you right this moment,” he provides, and I really feel my coronary heart crush in my chest. I used to be so enthusiastic about right this moment. “I’ve plans that contain my spouse and our mattress,” he says, winking.

Nero nods as soon as and steps in the direction of the exit. “Okay, Boss.” We lock eyes earlier than he turns and leaves.

Dante pulls my face up to have a look at him. “Why do you look so unhappy? It’s your birthday.”

“I didn’t suppose you knew,” I mutter.

He laughs once more. “In fact, I do know your birthday. I do know all the pieces about you. Now, open your reward.”

I rip the paper and my coronary heart stops. “It’s a being pregnant check,” I mutter.

“What higher reward? If that is optimistic, we will have a good time.” And if it’s not . . .

He leads me to the toilet, taking the check from me and unboxing it. “Pee on this,” he says, handing me a small plastic pot.

“I don’t know if I can pee on demand,” I admit.

“Don’t discuss crap, Tessa, simply piss within the rattling pot.”

I do as requested, and he takes the pot, inserting it on the facet. I watch as he dips the stick and lays it flat beside it. Then he turns to me and wraps his arms round me. “This might change our lives,” he says, kissing me. “I can’t wait to be a dad,” he provides, tugging my hair and kissing me more durable. “I’ve all the time needed a son I can train. He can take over from me after I get too outdated.” He laughs as I cross my fingers behind my again and pray to God it’s unfavorable. Rattling the implications.

NERO

“Are you able to come again to the home?” Dante asks after I reply his name.

“In fact. All the pieces okay?”

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