Fuck.
Everyone knows antibiotics fucks with contraception. Still, it didn’t even cross my mind.
The mental math isn’t hard. Six weeks ago was when we were in England for Carina’s birthday.
I’m thirty-four years old and have been working on undercover jobs for the past twelve years with no real end in sight. At this point I’d almost given up on my dreams of being a mother.
I press my hand to my stomach, fingers trembling.
I’m scared. There’s a lot that could go wrong. But when I turn my face to the mirror in front of me, I smile.
Enzo will be happy, I think. I hope so anyway. I know he wasn't sure about bringing a child into his lifestyle, but I can't imagine him being angry about it.
Stuffing the test into my pocket, hiding it until I figure out how to tell him, I splash some water on my face before heading downstairs.
Massimo is in the living room when I enter. He smiles warmly. “Morning, Isolde. How are you feeling?”
I gulp. “Much better, thank you.”
I’ve been feeling rough ever since the wedding; I should have clocked on sooner. I spent our honeymoon throwing up, then felt fine the second we got home—I’m an idiot.
“Good. Come sit.” He pats the sofa beside him.
I do so gingerly.
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in.”
I scrunch my face up.
He laughs. “Okay, you’re right, that was lame. I’m wondering what you want to do about Phoenix?”
“Oh.”
If I’m being honest, I’d kind of forgotten about it. Too much other stuff going on.
Guilt floods me.
“You don’t have to decide now. I’m just doing operative allocations for a new case—am I putting you on it?”
“I—” I snap my mouth closed. “I don’t know.”
Massimo pats my thigh gently.
“That’s okay. I’ll leave you out of it for now—maybe a break would be good for you, anyway. Plus, Marcus is still out there…”
My shoulders tighten.
“Still nothing?” I pry.
“No.” He stands. “We’ll find him, though. I promise you’ll get your revenge.”
“Thank you.”
“So, how’s married life treating you?” Noemi giggles over her glass of wine. She doesn’t know it’s alcohol-free—and what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.
I shrug. “Pretty much the same as before.”
