365 Days

by Blanka Lipinska

  “That you’re pregnant? Yes. Absolutely.”

  I tried swallowing, but my mouth was suddenly parched.

  “Are you bound by doctor-patient confidentiality?”

  He nodded.

  “Then I’d like you to tell this to no one.”

  “Of course. The receptionist will point you to the lab and schedule a visit with the gynecologist.”

  I shook the doctor’s hand and left his office, my legs shaky. At first I went to the nurse to have that blood sample taken before going back to the waiting room, where I met Domenico. I didn’t even acknowledge his presence, instead passing him on my way to the car. Joining me, Domenico sent me a quizzical look. The events of the last couple of days, my anger, and all that suddenly became unimportant. I was pregnant.

  “And? Tell me, Laura. Everything all right?”

  I gathered all my strength and plastered a fake smile on my face, replying, “Yeah. I’m anemic. That’s why I’m so tired all the time. I need to take some iron supplements and it’ll all work out.”

  Everything was clear, but at the same time I couldn’t comprehend it—it was like some kind of trance. I could hear pounding in my head, and my skin beaded with sweat, only to cover with goose bumps a moment later. I tried breathing quietly, but I gasped for air instead.

  The car headed back toward the mansion and I fished out my phone, dialing Olga.

  “Hiya, bitch,” I heard her happy voice in the receiver.

  “Are you free next week?”

  “I don’t know… Not counting the blond guy with his rocket dick, my schedule’s clear. My main guy left to conquer new markets, so it seems I won’t be doing much. What’s up? Got a suggestion?”

  Domenico watched me, understanding nothing, while I tried acting naturally.

  “Want to come to Sicily?”

  She didn’t reply, staying silent for a long while.

  “What’s happening? Why are you already there? Everything okay?”

  “Just tell me if you’ll come,” I hissed, irritated. “I’ll set everything up, just come here, please.”

  “Sure thing, darling, I’ll be there. Just let me know when. Did that godly Italian of yours do something stupid? If he did, I’ll kill the motherfucker. I ain’t afraid of no mob!”

  I chuckled, leaning back in my seat.

  “No, it’s all right. I just need you here. I’ll let you know when I’ve taken care of everything.”

  I threw the cell phone into my bag and looked at Domenico. “I’d like my friend to come over tomorrow. Can you arrange the flight from Poland?”

  “Will she stay for the wedding?”

  Fuck! The wedding. All this shit happening made me completely forget about it. “Was everybody aware of it? Was I the only one kept in the dark?”

  Domenico shrugged apologetically and dialed a number on his phone. “I’ll arrange everything,” he said, putting the phone to his ear.

  When the car stopped in the driveway, I stepped out without waiting for anyone to open the door for me and went inside the house. Traversing the labyrinth of corridors, I barged into the library. Massimo was sitting at a large table with several other men. They all fell silent as I entered. The Man in Black told them something and got up.

  “We need to talk,” I said, clenching my jaw.

  “Not now, baby girl. I’m having a meeting. Can it wait until the evening?”

  I stood motionless, glaring at him and trying to calm my nerves. I knew too much stress would do me no good, especially in my state.

  “I need a car, but without a driver. I need to go for a drive and think things through.”

  Massimo studied me for a while, narrowing his eyes. “Domenico will get you a car, but you can’t go anywhere without security,” he whispered. “Is everything all right, Laura?”

  “Yes. I just need a while away from this place.”

  I turned my back on him and left, closing the door behind me and heading directly to Domenico, who was standing in the corner.

  “I need a car. Massimo said you’ll get me one. Keys, please.”

  He turned without a word and headed toward the stairs leading to the driveway. He stopped in the doorway and said, “Wait here a minute. I’ll bring your car.”

  A cherry Porsche Macan pulled up in front of me shortly. Domenico got out and handed me the key, saying, “It’s a turbo version with a very powerful engine. It can go over 170 miles per hour, but please don’t try that,” he warned me with a laugh. “Why do you want to go all alone? Maybe you’d prefer to stay and talk to me? Don Massimo will work late today. We can have some wine together.”

  “I can’t,” I replied, taking the keys.

  I got inside the car, finding myself in a luxurious interior padded with cream-colored leather, and froze: there were knobs, buttons, lights, switches everywhere—as if a car needed all that stuff. The young Italian knocked on the window.

  “There’s a manual in the glove compartment, but I can give you a rundown. This controls the AC, the transmission is automatic…” He started listing all the different functions, and I felt my eyes watering.

  “All right, I know everything now, bye,” I cut him off, stomping on the accelerator and driving off, tires screeching.

  As soon as I left the estate, a black SUV started following me. I was in no mood for company, especially the controlling kind. As soon as I reached the highway, I stepped on the accelerator, feeling the enormous power Domenico had told me about. I was speeding like crazy, overtaking other cars until the black SUV disappeared from the rearview mirror. Then I took the first exit and drove toward Giardini Naxos. They wouldn’t count on me returning to town.

  I stopped the car at a parking lot next to the highway and got out, putting my sunglasses on and walking to the beach. I sat in the sand and allowed myself to cry. What have I done? I had come here two months ago, and now I was the woman of the head of the mob, about to have his baby! I wailed. Not cried, but wailed. Howled in anguish. Hours passed like minutes and still I sat there. Hundreds of thoughts sped through my mind. Even those that suggested getting rid of the problem inside me. What would I tell my mother? What would I tell Massimo? What was going to happen to me now? How could I be so stupid? Why did I go to bed with that man? Why had I trusted him?

  “Kurwa mać,” I groaned in Polish, hiding my head between my knees.

  “I know that word.”

  I lifted my head and saw the Man in Black sitting next to me in the sand.

  “You can’t run away from the security guys, baby girl. They aren’t there to annoy you, but to protect you.” His eyes were full of worry, probing me searchingly.

  “I’m sorry. I needed to be alone. I didn’t think this car would also have a tracker. Because it has one, right?”

  Massimo nodded.

  “They’ll be in real trouble for letting you go. If a woman eluded them, how are they supposed to protect me?”

  “Will you kill them?” I asked, terrified. The Man in Black laughed out loud and ran his hand through his hair.

  “No, Laura. That’s no reason to kill a man.”

  “I’m an adult. I can take care of myself.”

  Massimo wrapped his arm around me, pulling me toward him. “I don’t doubt it. Now, tell me, what was that about? Why did you go to that doctor?”

  Thanks a lot, Domenico, I thought, disgusted by his lack of discretion.

  I stayed in Massimo’s embrace, pushing my face into his torso. Should I tell him the truth? Or should I keep lying for a bit longer?

  “I’ve had too much of everything. The stress. I went to the clinic to check if you’ve told me the truth. You were right. There was ketamine in my bloodstream. That’s why I can’t remember anything. Did you really kill him, Massimo?” I asked, pulling off my sunglasses.

  The Man in Black turned to look at me and took my face in his hands.

  “I hit him and then took him to the pond by the stables. I wanted to scare him a bit, but when I started, I coul
dn’t stop. Especially when he confessed to everything. So, yes, Laura. I killed him, and Carlo’s man took care of everything else.”

  “Jesus,” I breathed, feeling my eyes tear up again. “How could you? Why’d you do it?”

  Massimo got up and lifted me, holding me by the shoulders. His eyes were black and cold as ice.

  “Because I wanted to. Now don’t think about it anymore. As you said: you don’t have a time machine, so you can’t do anything about that now.”

  “Leave me. I need to stay here alone a bit longer,” I breathed, collapsing to the sand again.

  I knew he wouldn’t give up, and I needed to tell him something that would break through his walls. Paradoxically, I wasn’t as worried by Piotr’s death as I was about having to give birth to a child of the man now looming above me.

  “You’ve killed a man and it’s my fault. Now I have a guilty conscience and I can’t live like that! The only thing I want now is to get on a plane and never see you again. So either you do as I ask, or this’ll be the last time you see me.”

  He paused for a moment, but then headed toward the promenade.

  “Olga will be here tomorrow at noon,” he said, leaving, and disappeared into the SUV. The sun was about to set, which made me realize I hadn’t eaten anything today. I couldn’t allow myself to stay hungry for long now. Not anymore. I got up and crossed the beach, wandering from one colorful restaurant to another, finally stopping by the one where I had met Massimo for the first time. A shiver went down my spine, but at the same time my skin beaded with sweat. It hadn’t been that long ago, but so many things had changed since then—nearly everything.

  I went inside and sat at a table overlooking the sea. A waiter appeared immediately, greeting me in fluent English, and vanished equally as fast, leaving the menu. Leafing through it, thinking of what to have, wondering if there were some foods I shouldn’t have in my state, I finally settled on what seemed the safest pick—a pizza.

  I pulled my legs to my chest, wrapping my arms around them, my phone in my hands. I needed to talk to Mom. In any other circumstances, she would have been the first person I would have called with the happy news. Not this time, though. The news was anything but happy, and I would need to own up to all the lies I had told her, probably breaking her heart in the process.

  When I was finished with the pizza and a glass of juice, I passed the waiter my credit card, not even bothering to look at him. My eyes were focused on the sea, nearly black by now.

  “I’m so sorry, Miss Biel,” he said. “I didn’t recognize you with that hair.” I turned my head, shooting the man a glance, a silent question in my eyes.

  The young waiter was standing at attention by my table, the credit card lying in his outstretched, shaky hands.

  “Wait a minute. What do you mean?”

  “We have your photograph. Don Massimo’s men sent it to us. You’re supposed to be a VIP guest. Please accept my apologies. You don’t have to pay for anything.”

  “Okay. One more tomato juice, then,” I said, turning back toward the dark sea.

  The thought of returning to the mansion and seeing the Man in Black made my stomach cramp.

  The next hour passed quickly. It was time to go back home and get some sleep. Olga would be here tomorrow, and everything would be better. I would be able to cry as much as I’d like.

  “I can see you’re bored. Allow me to keep you company.” A young, dark-haired man took the seat next to mine. “I heard you talking to the waiter. Where are you from?”

  I sent the man an angry, frustrated look. “I’m not in the mood for company.”

  “Nobody is when they want to be alone. Sometimes, though, it’s better to spill your problems on someone you don’t know. That way, you don’t have to be afraid of being judged. Plus, it’ll be a relief. Trust me.”

  That won him a small smile, but also did nothing to dispel my anger. “I get it. Trying to hit on me, playing the easygoing friendly guy. Well, first of all, I really want to be alone right now. And second—you can get in trouble just by sitting next to me, so you trust me: go pester someone else.”

  The man wouldn’t back down, instead sliding his chair closer to mine.

  “You know what I think?”

  I didn’t give a shit, to be honest, but I knew he wouldn’t shut up anyway.

  “I think the guy you’re thinking about doesn’t deserve you.”

  I cut in, not allowing him to continue. “I’m thinking about the fact that I’m pregnant and about to get married on Saturday, so get your ass up and check if you’re not needed at the bar.”

  “Pregnant?” I heard a voice from behind.

  The dark-haired guy jumped to his feet as if his ass were on fire. Don Massimo took his place.

  My heart was racing as he drilled me with those big black eyes of his. I caught my breath and spun around, looking over the sea, just to avoid eye contact. “What was I supposed to tell him? That you’ll kill him? It’s easier to lie. And safer. What are you doing here, by the way?”

  “I came to have dinner.”

  “No food left in the fridge at home?”

  “You weren’t there, and I was missing you. Besides, I’m leaving tomorrow. I wanted to say goodbye.”

  I turned back to him, frowning. “Leaving?”

  “I need to work, baby girl. But don’t worry—I’ll be back in time for our wedding,” he said, winking. “I wanted to take you with me, but since your friend is coming over, why don’t you go out somewhere? You deserve a bachelorette party. The credit card I left you with the keys to the apartment is yours. You might as well start using it. And you still haven’t got a wedding dress.”

  His warm and tender voice calmed me down, assuring me that it wasn’t time to tell him yet. I was lost—who was he? I mean, for real. At the same time, that unpredictability was one of the things I loved about him.

  “When will you be back?” My voice told him I was mollified for now.

  “As soon as I get to some kind of arrangement with the family overseeing Palermo. Emilio’s death caused me some trouble, but you don’t need to concern yourself with that,” he replied, getting up and planting a kiss on my forehead. “If you’ve eaten and you’re ready, let’s go. I’d like to say my goodbyes back home.”

  We got to the Porsche and I passed him the keys.

  “You don’t like it?” he asked, opening the door for me.

  I got in and waited for him. “It’s not that. The car’s beautiful, but it’s too complicated. Besides, I like it when you drive.”

  For a while I hesitated, thinking if I should fasten my seat belt—I’d read somewhere that pregnant women shouldn’t do that.

  “How did you know where I was?”

  Massimo laughed and stepped on the accelerator, making the wheels spin, tires screeching.

  “Remember, baby girl, I always know what you’re doing.”

  A few minutes later he parked the car in the driveway, stepped out, and opened the door for me.

  “I’ll go to my room,” I muttered, gently stroking my belly.

  “Okay, but I’ve relocated you. Let me show you to your new place,” Massimo said, taking my hand.

  “I liked the old one,” I groaned as he led me down the corridor.

  CHAPTER 19

  We stopped by a door on the top floor. Massimo grabbed the handle and opened it. Behind it was a room that took up the entire floor.

  The walls were lined with dark wood from floor to ceiling, and there was a gigantic C-shaped sofa in the middle, facing a large fireplace and an equally sizable flat-screen TV on the wall. Deeper into the room there was a series of tall windows and a flight of stairs leading to a mezzanine that housed a spacious bedroom with an enormous black bed supported on four columns—it made me think of a bedroom of some great monarch. The bedroom led to a closet and a bathroom, and finally to a terrace with a view of the sea.

  “This is your new room, Laura. You’re staying with me from now on,” Massimo
said, pinning me to the terrace railing as I paused to enjoy the breathtaking view. “I ordered your things brought in, but you won’t need them tonight.”

  I felt his lips wandering down my neck and his hips pressing against mine, pushing gently. I turned to him and inhaled. “Not today, Massimo.”

  The Man in Black propped his hands on the railing, enclosing me between his arms. His gaze was penetrating. “What’s happening, baby girl?”

  “I’m not feeling too good. I think it’s still from what I had at the party on Saturday.”

  I knew my argument wasn’t a strong one, so I changed my strategy.

  “I’d rather just snuggle up against you, watch some TV, and go to sleep. Besides, we’re going to get married in a couple of days. Let’s at least keep the pretense of propriety and hold back until then.”

  Massimo was clearly amused by that. He stared at me, unable to believe what he was hearing.

  “Propriety? I come from a Mafia family, remember? But okay, honey, we’ll do it your way. I can see something’s wrong, so I’ll just wash your back and that’ll be enough for me tonight.”

  He led me through the apartment.

  “Oh no you won’t. We both know how taking a shower together would end.”

  An hour later we were lying in bed watching TV.

  “You’ll have to learn Italian at some point, you know that. If you’re about to live here, you should know the language. We’ll start on Monday,” Massimo said, switching the channel to local news.

  “Will you learn Polish, too? Or will I have to talk in English even when we visit Poland?”

  “How do you know I’m not already learning it?” he asked, hugging me and running fingers through my hair. “I’m glad Olga will keep you company for the next few days. I think some freedom will do you a world of good. But don’t even think you’ll lose the bodyguards again. I don’t want to have to worry about you.” He took my hand with a tight grip.

  “If you’d like to go diving or go to a party, tell Domenico. He’ll have everything prepared,” Massimo said seriously. “Remember that a lot of people already know who you are. I’m very concerned with your safety. You’ll have to cooperate with my men if we want this to work.”