She curls her fingers around my shirt and relaxes in my arms. “I don’t have the energy to worry about anything else tonight,” she says softly.
“Just rest. I’m not going anywhere,” I promise.
Minutes later, she’s fast asleep. I kick my feet up, trying to get comfortable. I know I should carry her to bed and leave, but right now, I like having her in my arms way too much to even move.
“Leo,” Daphne whispers, brushing her hand softly against my cheek. “Wake up.”
“What’s wrong?” I grumble with my eyes closed and tighten my arms around her, too comfortable to move.
“You should go. Someone’s going to see your car.”
I open one eye and glance down at her beautiful face. “I parked down the street. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere tonight.”
“I’m not comfortable.”
“With me?”
She shakes her head. “On the couch. I want to sleep in my bed.”
“So do I.” I slide my arms under her legs and lift her into the air as I stand. I’m not going anywhere tonight unless someone drags me out of here. I’m reeling from the news, and I’m sure Daphne’s still in shock too.
I gently place her on the bed and crawl in next to her, curling my body around hers. My hand rests on her stomach, protecting the very spot where our baby’s growing.
* * *
I only sleepa few hours and leave a note on my pillow, telling her I need to get some stuff done and to text me when she’s awake. I know I have to find a way to make things right if Daphne and I ever have a chance of being together and keeping our baby safe.
There’s only one person who can help. Someone who knows both players and has a vested interest in bringing peace.
I’m sitting outside Hook & Hustle, waiting for any signs of life and trying to figure out what I’m going to say.
The fiery redhead emerges from the front door, looking every bit like Daphne, only smaller. She looks just as I remember her from when I was a little kid, running around this neighborhood.
I slide out of the front seat and stand in between the car and the driver’s door, not wanting to get too close and scare the shit out of her.
“Mrs. Gallo,” I call out and wave, smiling to put her mind at ease.
Mothers are always the key. Even my hard-ass father always listened to my mother, never wanting to anger her too much.
She stops walking and looks around before her eyes find me. “Yes?”
“I’m Leo.”
She eyes me curiously and takes a step closer but still keeps her distance.
“I’d like to talk to you about Daphne.”
She tilts her head, and her stare intensifies. “Are you the father?” she asks.
I glance around, knowing being on the street and in front of the Gallo bar probably isn’t the safest place for me at the moment. “Can we talk somewhere more private?”
“Answer the question, dear.”
I nod. “I am, Mrs. Gallo.”
She smiles before glancing up at the building behind her. “Come up for a coffee, and we’ll talk.”
I shake my head, knowing I can’t step foot in the Gallo house. “I can’t.”
