Chapter 4

I stayed in the hospital until noon the next day.

After the ultrasound, the doctor told me my baby was safe for now but warned me, "This is a threatened miscarriage. The bleeding has stopped, but given your history, you need to avoid any further stress or strenuous activity over the next few days."

It took me a long time to place a hand over my stomach.

Last night, when Julian hit the gas, he almost cost me another child.

While I was in the hospital, I gave my phone to my lawyer.

The Moretti family's head of security called twice to make sure I was safe.

My lawyer told him my condition wasn't life-threatening but refused to tell him where I was.

Julian never called. Not once.

Once the doctor cleared me, I returned to the estate to collect my passport and luggage.

When I reached the estate gate, I rolled down the window and tapped my keycard on the reader.

The light flashed red.

I tried again.

The heavy black gates stayed shut.

The guard in the booth recognized me and came out.

"One moment, Ms. Bennett. That unmarked SUV showed up outside Ms. Bell's safe house again last night. Don Moretti locked down the estate and reset everyone's access."

"Including mine?"

The guard avoided the question. "Don't worry. I'll open it for you myself."

Once the gates opened, I followed the driveway up to the main house.

I'd barely reached the steps when the front door opened.

Mia stepped outside.

She stood barefoot in the doorway, wearing my wine-red silk robe.

"Vivian, you're back at last. Are you all right?"

She spoke as if she were the lady of the house. "I'm sorry. My safe house was compromised, so Julian brought me to the main house last night."

She glanced at the keycard in my hand and smiled apologetically.

"He says it's the safest place. Your new card isn't ready, so the guards will have to let you in for the next few days."

I didn't want to talk to her, but as I walked past, I caught the familiar scent of jasmine.

My bottle of jasmine perfume sat open on the living room table.

Mia had used it.

Three months ago, Mia had caught the scent of jasmine on me at dinner. She'd suddenly clutched her chest, struggling to breathe.

She claimed she was allergic, and that same night, Julian told me to stop wearing perfume.

I looked at her.

"Aren't you allergic to perfume?"

Mia lifted her wrist and sniffed it.

"The doctor later said it was just hyperventilation from the shock. I forgot to tell you. It smells lovely. No wonder Julian likes it."

By the fireplace, Julian was checking a new panic bracelet. He called Mia over and personally fastened it around her wrist.

"Wear it wherever you go. Lose your guards again, and I'll keep you locked inside the estate."

Mia laughed and promised she would.

Only then did Julian notice how pale I looked.

"Where were you last night?"

I didn't answer.

"Is the robe part of the protection plan too?"

Mia's hand flew to the collar.

"My clothes haven't arrived. The staff said I could borrow yours. If you'd rather I didn't, I'll change right now."

Julian raised a hand to stop her.

"No need. There's something I need to tell you anyway, Vivian. The primary bedroom is closest to the underground safe room. A designer is coming tomorrow to turn it into a nursery. You'll move to the east wing."

I stared at him.

"That's our bedroom."

"It's just a room. Mia and the baby are being watched. Once he's born, he needs the safest place on the estate. Our enemies are watching the woman we're presenting as the Donna. The east wing isn't on the estate's official plans, and it has a separate secure route. You'll be safe there."

Mia lowered her eyes.

"Julian, a guest room is fine for me. Don't make Vivian give things up for me again."

Julian fastened the clasp around her wrist and got to his feet.

"It's decided."

He sent Mia to her room, then stopped me when I headed upstairs.

"The day after tomorrow, the family is holding a baby shower for him on the top floor of the casino. I want everyone to know that anyone who touches her is taking on the entire Moretti family. All Five Families are invited. You're coming too. Mia is in this position because of you."

I stopped with my hand on the banister.

"You two are the family now. Just protect her. Why do you need me there?"

"You're the chief appraiser. The gift for the baby needs your sign-off. If you're absent, it'll only fuel the rumors that the appraiser and the Donna are fighting over a man."

He paused.

"Come to the baby shower, and I'll owe you a favor. No conditions attached."

I looked back at him for a moment.

"All right."

...

Two days later, I arrived at the banquet hall on the casino's top floor right on time.

Julian looked up. His gaze lingered on me for a few seconds, but he made no move to offer me his hand.

All Five Families were watching. Mia sat beside him in an ivory gown, the Moretti pin resting against her chest.

Her boyfriend, Luke, sat at a side table, posing as a distant cousin. He held a glass, his expression dark throughout the evening.

Two bodyguards stood behind him, one on each side.

One of the elders opened a black case. Inside was a silver christening cup studded with diamonds and engraved with the name Luca Moretti.

Everyone raised their glasses to Julian, Mia, and their unborn child.

Mia stood up, one hand resting beneath her belly.

"Thank you, Julian, for giving my child and me a loving home."

She looked down the length of the table at me with an especially gentle smile.

"And thank you, Vivian... for everything you've done for us as a couple."

Before she could finish, someone knocked my bag to the floor.

A sheet of paper slipped out.

Julian bent down to pick it up. His gaze landed on the words "early pregnancy" on the ER report, then shifted to the date.

The night he'd driven the car at me.

His face drained of color.

"Vivi, what is this?!"