by Bethany-Kris
“I am not!”
Alessa eyed her sister. “Ella.”
“Okay, maybe I am a little. Not judging so much as … curious, maybe? You’re petite. I can’t imagine you getting …”
“Fat?”
“Beautifully round with child,” Abriella said pointedly.
“Nice save.”
“Thanks. But seriously, pregnancy isn’t an excuse to be unhealthy and shove whatever into your face.”
“I’m aware,” Alessa said dully. “But I’ve just spent the last couple of weeks puking three times a day and this is the first one where I haven’t felt like total shit. Just let me eat cake, Ella.”
“Steaks,” her sister corrected.
Maybe cake, too.
“How was school?” Joel asked, keeping his eyes down on the steak he was cutting into.
“Good,” Abriella said.
“I was asking Alessa.”
Alessa jerked out of her thoughts in just enough time to see Abriella roll her eyes.
“We go to the same school, Joel,” Abriella said.
“Yes, but she’s just returned while you haven’t left.” Joel flicked a look in Alessa’s direction and asked, “So, how was it?”
“Fine,” Alessa replied, uncomfortable by her brother’s attention.
It wasn’t like Joel to give a damn.
“No problems then?” he asked.
Alessa shook her head. “No. I’m starting a few weeks late into the semester, but that’s fine. It’s nothing I can’t catch up on.”
“You always were quick,” Joel noted more to himself than Alessa. “Anyway, I’m glad to hear it. Sara pestered me with calls, worrying for whatever reason about your return today. I figured I should ask if she was so concerned.”
“Mom, Joel,” Abriella said. “She’s our mom.”
Joel’s cold gaze traveled to Abriella. “To you. To me, she’s just Sara.”
Christ.
Alessa shoved a bite of steak into her mouth just to keep quiet. Sometimes, with Joel, it was all about picking the right battles to fight. This was not one she wanted to have with her brother. Alessa didn’t care about her mother’s past or choices. The now mattered more. It took her a little while to realize that, but she finally had and that was the most important thing.
Joel would get there, eventually.
Maybe.
“Nonetheless, she was worried,” Joel continued, shrugging. “I don’t understand why. This isn’t your first time going to school. She acted like she was sending you off to kindergarten for the first time all over again. Ridiculous.”
Alessa fidgeted with her fork and kept her eyes on her plate, more nervous than ever. Sara had called Alessa a few times throughout the day, but she was too busy with classes and trying to catch up on what she had missed to pick up the calls. Her mother was worried because of the pregnancy and stress she thought Alessa was experiencing. Alessa didn’t blame Sara for her concerns, but she wished her mother would leave Joel out of it.
Then again, maybe Sara was trying to get closer to Joel in some way.
A throat cleaning broke the conversation between the siblings. Miss Cathy stood in the entryway between the kitchen and dining room with the pack of mail that Abriella was supposed to give to Joel earlier. It looked like more had been added to the pile—a large yellow envelope rested on the bottom.
“Mr. Trentini, this was left on the counter in the kitchen for you,” Miss Cathy said.
Joel waved a hand. “Bring it in.”
As quietly as she showed herself, Miss Cathy brought the mail to Joel and then left.
Thankful for the reprieve from her brother’s attention, Alessa went back to enjoying the steak dinner in peace. The only sounds that could be heard in the dining room were Abriella and Alessa’s cutlery scraping across plates while Joel ripped open mail.
Silence was nice.
Alessa wouldn’t complain.
“What is this?” Joel asked.
Alessa’s head shot up to see the larger yellow envelope in her brother’s hand. He flipped it around, giving Alessa a view of the plain white label sticker on the front with their surname scrawled in messy handwriting. No address or even a return address was on the envelope that Alessa could find.
“Not sure,” Alessa said.
She didn’t remember that being in the mail pack she picked up.
Abriella shrugged across from Alessa and picked at her food. “Maybe Mom or Dad brought it over, Joel. Just open it.”
“Maybe,” their brother agreed.
Joel tore open the top of the envelope and pulled out the few papers inside. Figuring it wasn’t important, Alessa let her brother read whatever it was in peace.
It didn’t take long at all before Joel stood slowly from his chair. Alessa watched his hands clench around the papers as his gaze lifted and caught hers. Just like that, the entire room seemed to get hot and stuffy around Alessa. Her shoulders stiffened. Something was wrong.
Joel watched her like he wanted to fucking kill her.
“What is this?” Joel demanded.
“I—”
Joel began to read and with every word, Alessa felt the color drain from her face.
“Patient reported being over thirty days late in her cycle. A standard pregnancy test was performed. To confirm further, blood tests have been done. Heartrate of the fetus was one-hundred-thirty beats per minute. From the dates the patient provided, the pregnancy is approximately eleven weeks along and due date is May eleventh of this coming year.”
“Joel—”
Alessa didn’t, or couldn’t, get any other words out as she stared at her brother. How did he get that information? Who gave him that package?
She turned to face a silent Abriella. Her sister wouldn’t meet her gaze and Alessa knew it right then. Abriella had somehow gotten a copy of Alessa’s file and gave it to their brother. Maybe that was where her missing information had gone that caused the second follow-up appointment.
Betrayal stung heavily on the back of Alessa’s tongue.
“You bitch.”
“Don’t,” Abriella whispered. “You don’t know why, Lissa.”
She didn’t have to.
Her sister betrayed her. That was enough.
Joel’s face reddened as his hands shook. With a disgusted shout, he tossed the papers down the table. They flew everywhere. Alessa didn’t make a move to pick them up. She could see a couple of them from her spot.
Joel moved around the table, coming straight for her, and Alessa stood quickly from her chair. She backed up, knowing that look in Joel’s eye. He was pissed and ready to blow. She did not want to be in the line of fire when it happened.
His gaze narrowed in on her like he was ready to kill. “Guess whose name is on the top of those documents?”
Alessa didn’t have to. “Mine.”
“Pregnant? You managed to get knocked up?” Joel roared.
“I—”Alessa stopped herself from saying anything further. She didn’t want to call the baby a mistake. It wasn’t the child’s fault. “I did.”
“That fucking bastard.”
Alessa’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Dean,” Joel spat. “I demanded he wait and clearly he fucking didn’t. Now he’s dead and I’m left with you and this bullshit. How in the hell are you ever going to marry off with another man’s child, Alessa? Huh?”
Sickness pounded at her insides.
No way.
Alessa wouldn’t let anyone believe for one second that this baby was Dean Artino’s.
“It’s not Dean’s,” she said quietly.
Joel froze, a warning darkening his features. “I beg your pardon?”
He was only a few feet away from her. Close enough that he could reach out and grab her if he wanted. Abriella had yet to leave her chair, but she had stopped eating. Feeling unprotected like she was, Alessa wrapped her arms over her midsection.
“It’s not Dean’s child,” Alessa said again, lo
uder. “I wouldn’t have gotten into bed with that man. Not even if you forced me into it, Joel.”
Joel blew out a hard breath, his teeth clenching. “Who does it belong to?”
Alessa wanted to keep quiet. She tried. “Adriano.”
A brief pause answered her back. It was enough to see Joel’s features visibly contort with his confusion as he took that information in. And then … it changed.
A slow, sly smile curved Joel’s mouth as he nodded to himself.
“Adriano Conti?” her brother asked.
“Is there another Adriano we know?”
“No, Alessa. No, there is not.” Joel laughed loud and happy. “Well done.”
Well done?
What?
Joel pointed at Alessa. “You’re forgiven.”
“Uh …” Alessa was stunned.
“And pack your fucking bags,” her brother added.
With that, Joel left the room, still laughing the entire way.
Alessa turned on her sister, angry and confused.
Abriella glanced up from her hands with a watery gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“Why would you do that to me?”
“You’ll understand why,” Abriella whispered. “Give it time, you’ll see.”
See what?
And what would happen to Adriano now?
“I can’t believe you did this to me,” Alessa said.
“Not right now. But you will. You’re welcome, Lissa.”
“Get those bags from the trunk,” Joel ordered the waiting enforcer.
The man nodded and rushed to do what he was told.
Alessa stood in a familiar driveway, feeling more confused than ever as she stared at the large home.
“Here’s how this is going to go,” Joel said. “You’re going to follow behind me, stay quiet, and do whatever the fuck I say. After I leave, I don’t give a shit what happens to you, Lissa. That’s all on Adriano and his father to decide.”
“You’re an asshole,” Alessa muttered.
Joel shrugged. “Maybe so. As I said earlier, you’re forgiven, but I won’t be stained by your shame. The Contis, on the other hand, can hide it however they please. But if you want things to go smoothly, you will let me handle my side of it however I see fit.”
Alessa didn’t know what her brother was planning, but he had taken her to Riley Conti’s home with a great portion of her belongings. It didn’t seem like Joel had any intention of taking her back home, either.
“Take them to the front step,” Joel told the waiting enforcer.
The man went.
“What are we—”
“Hush,” Joel interrupted. “Follow me, Alessa.”
Too tired to question her brother, Alessa followed along. She trailed up the stairs behind Joel as the enforcer dropped her bags at the bottom of the steps. Joel rang the ornate doorbell and the chimes echoed within.
Alessa thought it was odd that they had been able to just walk right up to Riley’s front steps.
“Where are Riley’s guards?” Alessa asked.
“We’re peaceful,” Joel said with a hint of bitterness coating his words. “They’re watching us, no doubt, but they have no reason to send us away.”
Alessa noticed a form darken the frosted glass of the front door. It disappeared before another came and the door opened. Riley Conti stood on the other side, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the people on his front step.
“Evening, Joel,” Riley greeted.
“Evening, boss.”
Alessa cringed at her brother’s tone. It almost sounded like he was mocking Riley’s position.
“This is a surprise,” Riley said, glancing over Alessa’s quiet form.
“I bet. Where is your son tonight?”
“Working, Joel. Just like you should be.”
Joel said nothing and instead, grabbed Alessa’s arm and tugged her forward so she was standing in front of Riley. “Here, a mess for you to clean.”
“A mess?” Riley asked.
“She’s pregnant. Your son is the father.”
Riley’s brow shot up high as his mouth opened with a denial right on the top of his tongue. “Now, just you—”
“Don’t bother denying it. They’ve been running around for years. A few phone calls was all it took for the mouths to start talking with what they’ve seen and what they know. You don’t even look surprised, boss. My guess is that you knew, too. She was promised to be engaged and your son knocked her up at some point during that time. That’s unacceptable, disgusting, and shameful.”
Riley’s jaw ticked. “And what do you expect me to do about this, Joel?”
Joel grinned. “Oh, I’m sure we can figure something out.”
Alessa wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
“But for now, a marriage to protect my sister and her child’s standing will suffice,” Joel added before Riley could say another thing. “I’m sure you agree.”
Riley said nothing.
Joel waved at the bags on the step. “Her things. Your son can do with them what he wants.”
With that, Alessa stood still and stunned as her brother turned on his heel and left.
Adriano cupped Alessa’s cheeks in his hands and rolled his thumbs over her cheekbones in the sweetest, most soothing way. Alessa needed that. Waiting for him to get to his father’s home had been nerve-wracking enough. Riley had said not one single word to Alessa, but he watched her like he was two seconds away from blowing her brains out.
“You okay?” Adriano asked.
Alessa nodded, smiling. “Better with you here.”
“This was not what I expected to happen when Joel found out.”
“Me either,” she admitted.
“I wonder why,” Adriano mused, tracing her lips with his thumb.
“Because he fucking wants to advance and this is a good excuse to use,” Riley said as he entered the living room.
Adriano’s shoulders stiffened and he scowled. “Not right now, Dad.”
“Oh, I think now is the perfect time, son.” Riley flicked a hand in Alessa’s direction like she was a piece of garbage he was shooing away. “And what am I supposed to do about this, huh? Look what you’ve done, Adriano. Your stupid, foolish recklessness has cost me a great deal today.”
“I think this is perfect,” Adriano replied, never taking his gaze off Alessa.
She chewed on her inner cheek, feeling happy and worried all at once. Riley didn’t seem pleased, but Adriano was over the moon.
Alessa was inclined to go with Adriano’s mood.
“I had him, Adriano,” Riley growled.
Adriano shrugged. “I don’t care.”
“No, I wouldn’t think you do,” Riley spat. “Why should you?”
Adriano smirked but said nothing.
“And do you know what he demanded when he brought her to my doorstep?” Riley asked.
“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me,” Adriano replied.
“A marriage! Between you two!”
“I’m game for that,” Adriano said, giving Alessa a wink.
How was he so blasé in the face of his father’s rage?
“Have you never heard of a condom?” Riley asked.
Adriano chuckled. “It’s done, Dad. Drop it.”
Riley didn’t. His anger exploded in a violent shout of words.
“I had him! I had Joel by the fucking throat and just like that … just like that, Adriano, you fucking ruined it. Your recklessness ruined everything.”
“For you,” Adriano murmured, turning to face his father. “It ruined things for you. But for me, Dad? I got everything I fucking wanted.”
“You little bast—”
Adriano held up a single hand, stopping his father. Then, he dropped it and offered that hand to Alessa. She took it without question.
“Are you ready?” Adriano asked her.
“For what?”
Adriano flashed her with a sensual smile. “To go home with me.�
�
God, yes.
She was so ready for that.
“Yeah,” Alessa whispered.
She got it.
Right then, with Adriano’s hand in hers holding tight and promising to take her home, Alessa got why her sister did what she did. Riley would hate them, surely. The Outfit would again be upset as Riley was forced to make amends for his son’s mistakes and choices with Alessa.
That didn’t matter a bit to Alessa or Adriano.
They got what they wanted.
All was perfect.
Thank you, Ella, Alessa thought.
She never would have been able to tell Joel on her own. Abriella forced Alessa into it whether she wanted to or not.
“Let’s go home,” Adriano said.
“Home,” she echoed.
The angelic tone of the choir filled the church with its melody. Alessa settled into the pew beside Adriano, comfortable and content. His hand rested on her eighteen week swell.
Like he usually did, Adriano kept one eye on the people around them, and one on what was most important to him. He never hid his affections for Alessa or the pregnancy no matter where they were. She figured they had spent so much time hiding one another that now that they didn’t have to, they didn’t even try.
Alessa loved Adriano all the more for it.
She couldn’t help but glance around the church at the guests. When they first arrived earlier, people had stared and whispered. It wasn’t uncommon, after all, her and Adriano had created quite a scandal together. Especially with the whole baby thing, now.
Evelina sat at Alessa’s other side, smiling but faking it. Alessa knew the truth. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law was pissed about the groom and bride.
Alessa wished she could somehow help Evelina. It had to be horrible to see her father moving on already after her mother’s death. But really, Evelina had been a big help and support to Alessa and Adriano over the last couple of months. When Alessa had been alienated from her family because of her choices with Adriano, Evelina was there. When Adriano worked late, Evelina was there to keep Alessa company.
She appreciated Evelina a great deal.
Alessa reached over and held Evelina’s hand silently. Evelina squeezed back.
“Another month, babe,” Adriano said quietly.
