“Guess it’s a good thing I have enough for the both of us.” He threaded our fingers together, tugging me down the aisle. “Come on, we still have to test out every single rocking chair in this joint.”
The quick pivot had the vise grip around my chest loosening, and it vanished completely once I parked my ass on the first glider, the tension leaving my muscles with each comforting sway. It was easy to see how this rhythmic motion lulled babies to sleep. I was halfway there myself.
With a relaxed mind, I accepted that all of this—a reliable partner, impending motherhood— was an adjustment for me, and I decided to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
Baby steps. You’ve got this.
Chapter 7
Gio
WithRory’shandgrippingmine, my eyes were glued to the black and white image on the screen. Unlike the last ultrasound, where our baby looked like a little blob, this time each part of their anatomy could be identified with crystal clarity—nose, mouth, arms, legs, toes, even the vertebrae of their spine.
But the count was still out on whether they sported the appendage that would mark them as the heir to the Bellini empire. The kid was wiggling too damn much for the doctor to get a clear view.
“Seems like we’ve got an active little one on our hands today. Showing off their gymnastics skills for Mom and Dad.” Dr. Levy’s chuckle as he chased the baby squirming inside Ro’s belly set me on edge. I was seconds away from grabbing the wand out of his hand and taking over. I mean, how hard could it be?
Rory squeezed my fingers, right as I was about to pounce on the doctor. “Do you see how much they’re moving, John?”
Tamping down my frustration, I managed to keep it from leaking into my tone when I replied, “Incredible.”
It would be more incredible if I knew whether I’d secured the future of my family, or if I would be stuck in this small-town Hell pretending to be “good guy” John for God knows how long.
I was firmly dedicated to receiving payment on the debt my wife owed me. If this baby turned out to be a girl, I would hunker down and continue to play out this charade, knocking up Rory over and over until we managed to conceive a boy. Though my fingers were crossed that we’d gotten it right on the first try.
I’d been away from Chicago for far too long. Between the time it took to craft my disguise and then insert myself into Rory’s life before getting her pregnant, it had been four years since I had handed over the reins of my rightful place at the head of the Bellini Mafia to my little brother. While he’d never coveted my role as our family’s leader, having that kind of power was the ultimate aphrodisiac. Men often killed for a taste of it. So there was a nagging doubt in the back of my mind; I worried that the transition upon my return might not be a peaceful one. And while I valued family above everything, I would not back down from reclaiming what was rightfully mine.
“Ah, I think we’ve got it!” Dr. Levy declared.
On the edge of my seat, I held my breath.
Then came, “Congrats. It’s a boy.”
Relief slammed into my chest as all the air left my lungs in a rush, and my knees almost buckled.
I did it. I fucking did it!
Rory’s sniffles breached my muted hearing, and it took everything in my power not to roll my eyes. She was constantly crying, and I was so goddamn tired of playing the part of the nauseatingly sweet boyfriend who consoled her multiple times a day.
Soon. We’re going home soon. You can suck it up for a few more days before you flip the switch.
With that in mind, I forced myself back into character.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Are you happy?”
When I pulled back, she was chewing on the corner of her lower lip. “Are you? I know you were hoping for a girl . . .”
I almost laughed at how she’d swooned for that bit when I’d pretended to be over-the-moon excited to have a miniature version of her. Totally had pulled that one out of my ass, and it was a crock of shit. A daughter did me no good. Only sons could inherit.
“All that matters is that they’re healthy.” Turning to Dr. Levy, I asked, “He is healthy, right?”
The doctor nodded. “Everything looks perfect and right on track for what we’d like to see at nineteen weeks.”Thank fucking God.“I’ll get a few pictures printed for you to take home, and then you should be good until next month. You know how to reach me if you have any questions or concerns before your next appointment.”
There wouldn’t be a next appointment, but I kept that to myself as I extended a hand over Rory’s reclined form to shake his. “Thank you, Dr. Levy.”
“My pleasure.” He handed over a strip of black-and-white prints of our baby boy—my heir.
Matteo and Enzo had thought I was out of my mind when I left on this mission, intent on impregnating my runaway wife against her will but also without her knowledge of what was happening. The thrill of victory shooting through my veins created an adrenaline rush more potent than anything I’d ever experienced, and I wanted to scream from the rooftops that no matter who the adversary was, I would always come out on top.
