“Oh, I’m sorry. How thoughtless of me to not introduce myself first. I’m Rosalie Mariani, dear, Dom’s mother.”
I stood there like an idiot, wondering why she was on my doorstep. Dressed in my restaurant uniform with my hair pulled back in a bun, wasn’t the first impression I wanted to give his wealthy mafia family. Dominico should have warned me first. Self-conscious, I reached out to offer her a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Mariani. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone.”
Ignoring my hand, she said, “Please, call me Rosalie, dear.”
Pulling back my awkward, outstretched hand I glanced at my watch. Brandon hadn’t picked me up for work since he’d seen me with Dom—we’d agreed that was for the best—so I needed to be out the door in thirteen minutes to catch the bus.
“Would you like to come in?” I asked.
She remained on my doorstep. “Actually, I was hoping I could interest you in spending the day with me, so we can get to know each other a little better.”
I’d told Dom I was pregnant, and now his mom stood on my doorstep. He must have sent her, but why hadn’t he called me first?
“I’d love to, but I have to work soon.” I gestured at my uniform. “I was just about to leave for my shift.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already called Camellia and she assured me Collin will be able to find someone to cover for you.” Pushing past me, she stepped into the living room. As she looked around, her nose wrinkled in disgust.
Annoyed at her expression and still confused, I asked. “Camellia?”
She gave me a tight, condescending smile “The owner’s wife. We’re old friends.”
She’d called into work for me? She spoke so casually about rearranging my schedule, and ruining my perfect work attendance—without my knowledge or approval—that I wanted to scream. She hoped I didn’t mind? Of course I minded. Who did this woman think she was?
“I’m sorry, you did what?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, dear. You’re carrying a Mariani. You don’t need to work anymore. We’ll take care of everything. You just worry about growing my grandchild.”
Dominico had called his mother “nice,” but this woman was presumptuous and arrogant. Part of me wanted to roll over and let her bash me, because I loved Dominico and didn’t want to create waves, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let her bully or manipulate me into giving up the job I’d worked so hard to get.
Hiding my trembling hands behind my back, I said, “Thank you for your concern,” my voice only slightly wavering. “But I enjoy my job and I can do both. Women have been working and raising babies for a long time.”
She cast another dismissive glance around my living room. “If this is about you needing money, because we have resources.”
Did she think I was some sort of gold digger, trapping her son with a child? Struggling to keep my tone respectful, I forced what I hoped looked like a smile. “It’s not about the money, Mrs. Mariani. With all due respect, I do not want your family’s money. I love Dom. He’s kind and intelligent and, despite who he is, he has a good heart. I love our baby and Iwillprovide for him.”
“Despite who he is?” she asked, her eyes hardening.
The barb felt good, but I regretted it the second it crossed my lips. I couldn’t take it back, though, and no answer I could give her would make it better. “I’m sorry. That was out of line.”
She held my gaze, her tight smile turning cold and calculating. Seconds ticked by as I wondered if she was there to kill me. I didn’t doubt that she could. It seriously felt like her eyeballs were trying to freeze me from the soul out. I wanted to run and hide, but didn’t dare show weakness.
Finally, she melted. A real smile spread across her face and her eyes softened, taking her from beautiful to stunning. “Good, you have a backbone. You’re gonna need it.”
Wondering what had just happened, and whether or not I was still in mortal danger, I stared at her.
“I had to be certain,” Rosalie continued. “I will not allow Dom to risk everything for some weak, pathetic girl who will no doubt get him killed.”
My mind rewound our conversation. “So… you didn’t change my work schedule?” I asked.
“Of course I did. I’m here to help you, dear, so we need to talk. I’m famished. Let’s go get lunch.”
My brain could not keep up. She’d complimented me, insulted me, offended me, possibly complimented me again, and for a few seconds there, I thought she was going to kill me with her eyes. Now she wanted to take me to lunch? The woman was giving me mental whiplash.
“Would you like to change first?” she asked, looking pointedly at my uniform.
I hadn’t even decided whether I should leave with her or board myself up in my room, but real smile or not, Rosalie clearly was not the type of woman people said no to. Besides, something she’d said kept bugging me.
“Wait, what do you mean by sacrificing everything? Is Dom’s life in danger?” I asked.
