Those two were supposed to be my personal bodyguards, but I’d only left the house for OB appointments with Burke and his guards at my side. "What are mob-approved activities, exactly? Dining in Italian restaurants and bribing judges?"
Daisy tried to stifle a snort of laughter in her glass but failed.
Burke glared at me. "Can't you see I'm making an effort, Kinsley? You could try the same."
Since he was right, I modified my snide tone. "But I am genuinely curious. Are there certain things I'm not supposed to do? For instance, I didn't expect the furniture showroom to be closed down for everyone but us. Am I to call ahead and demand places close their doors so your men can do a bomb sweep?"
He leaned in so close to me that I gasped quietly and sat back. The tenor of his voice was extremely low and quiet as he answered me. "You think it's all a joke, Kinsley, but it's more serious than you like to make it. Before you moved here, my father and I were nearly blown to bits in a botched hit."
Setting my fork down carefully, I looked into his eyes for any sign he was exaggerating. "I can see you're just fine. Is he?"
"Not precisely. He has physical therapy a few days a week."
Feeling properly admonished, I dropped my gaze. "I apologize for making light of something so serious, but you never tell me anything. I'm left to assume you're merely flexing your power when you order me about, or that you're trying to scare me into submission."
"I assure you, that's not the case. Please, go out if you wish, but let one of your men know where you'd like to go ahead of time."
My men. I'd yet to think of anything as mine, but that's what they were now. Looking across the table at Daisy, I saw that even my ebullient friend had sobered up at the turn of the conversation.
Meeting Burke's still-heated gaze was difficult, but I did it because I knew I'd pushed him without provocation. "As you say."
"Thank you."
It was a relief to look away again, to eat without really tasting what was on my plate. While not the first time I'd mocked him for his ties to organized crime, it was the first time I regretted my barbs. The idea of Burke bleeding out somewhere from an explosion caused my stomach to churn.
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
18
Kinsley
Almost too afraid to go anywhere after my conversation with Burke, I consoled myself with the thought that nobody knew who I was. As far as I knew, there'd been no major announcement about my marriage to one of the biggest mob bosses in Boston. If the other Families didn't know who I was for the time being, then surely Daisy and I could go out and enjoy ourselves.
To that end, we went out for lunch the following day. The restaurant was more upscale than I was used to, but it was secure and a fun change of pace. After lunch, Daisy insisted we shop for something I could wear after the baby came. Something to make me feel good, as she put it. I remembered the saleswoman at the department store where I'd bought my room decor, so we went there. Ruby didn't work in the ladies’ clothing section, but I convinced her to help me out, anyway. I liked her, and I could give her a decent commission.
Not one to wear dresses typically, I felt foolish picking something so classy and extravagantly priced. When I held the dress up, I realized the color was perfect with my pale skin, and the fabric was incredibly soft. I bought it despite my misgivings, along with a matching bra and panty set. It didn't even matter that it would be a long time before I had the chance to wear them, or that I'd wear them for no one but myself. It didn't help that Daisy encouraged me to spoil myself with quality cosmetics and skincare when I usually wouldn't dare.
After a few hours of shopping, I waddled my way to a bench. "I have to sit down."
Daisy followed me, watching me rub circles over my belly and simultaneously try to stretch my back. "Are you okay?"
"No, I don't think I am." I waited for a minute. "I think I'm in the early stages of labor."
"Then let's get your security men to take us to the hospital right away."
Billy brought the car around, promising to call Burke. Levi took our bags and escorted us through the mall to the exit, helping me into the car. I gasped as another pain hit low in my back and my belly contracted.
"That's definitely what this is."
"Burke said he'd call the OB," Billy told me. "They'll meet us at the hospital."
"You're going to have a baby!" Daisy said with way more enthusiasm than I felt.
Grabbing Daisy's hand, I said, "I'm so glad you're with me."
"Me too, honey."
Not for the first time in my life, I desperately wished Burke were with me. As we reached the hospital, everything turned into a flurry of activity. Nobody listened to my protests against the private wing waiting for me. The Gallaghers had used that section of the hospital for decades, and I was no exception. The pain became worse, and though I had Daisy, I didn't want the comfort of anybody else who showed up.
