Page 118 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

I nearly yell, struggling to try and dislocate my thumb. I’ve done it before, popped out of handcuffs. It’s been twenty years, and I can’t seem to get it.

“Ricardo,” Luciano barks. “Watch the dog.”

Ricardo slowly picks up his gun and trains it on me. His hand is shaking so badly he can’t keep it straight. “You’re not going to kill me, rodent,” I hiss at him. “So stop pretending.”

Ricardo swallows visibly. “I will if I have to.”

“Take a good look, Elio. This is the last you’ll see of your family.”

“Don’t!” Elio cries out, struggling himself against the restraints, biceps bulging.

I’ve almost got it. I cry out as my thumb pops out of socket but Luciano’s face is blank, staring down at Samantha. “You have her eyes,” he murmurs, and cocks back the hammer. “Any last words, little girl?”

He reaches out and rips the tape from her mouth.

“Please don’t hurt me,” Samantha gasps. “I’m pregnant!”

You’re what?

The gun drops slightly. Luciano startles, shifting sideways only slightly, but it’s enough. I get one hand free and throw my fist into his face. The gun cracks going off, but the bullet hits the back wall of the kitchen. Ricardo’s gun clatters to the floor.

I hit Luciano again, grabbing his gun as I latch one hand around his throat, squeezing hard. He gasps, clawing at my forearm, but I don’t let up. I get hold of his gun. I scramble up on my knees again, and shoot him in the head.

Samantha screams at the gunfire.

Pregnant. She said she was pregnant.

Ricardo mumbles out apologies, huddling in the corner again. I look at Samantha, searching her face. “Is it true?”

Her amber-brown eyes stream tears. She nods.

I gasp, drawing her into my arms and close to me before I reach into my pocket and take out my pocketknife. I cut the zipties around her wrists and ankles and she melts into me, sobbing into my chest.

Elio stares at us, confused. “What the fuck is going on here?”

“I’m sorry, Elio,” I say softly. “But I can’t let you out of the restraints yet.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Dante?”

I don’t answer even as his voice rises. I jerk Ricardo to his feet harshly. “What do you want me to do with him?”

“I want you to let me out of these fucking restraints, Dante.”

His voice goes low, but I can’t let him out. Not yet. “In a minute.”

He looks over at Samantha and she trembles. “Papa just listen–”

“What the fuck is going on here?” he asks, voice going even lower and more dangerous.

He’s going to fucking kill me. But that’s a problem for future Dante.

Present Dante just learned he’s going to be a fucking father, and that trumps everything.

I haul Ricardo down to the panic room, throwing him inside. He doesn’t fight me. Doesn’t protest. He just seems tired.

I head back into the kitchen and kneel besides Samantha. I put an arm around her and look at Elio. “I’m in love with your daughter, boss.”

Elio goes still and silent, his eyes staring straight at me but not quite seeing me. Samantha shudders against me.