Chapter 54 I Screwed Up So Badly
Elena
Kiara has a lot more control than she used to, but it’s clear he’s not really giving in. She hasn’t spoken to him or her mother since their last fight.
“Okay,” I tell her, letting the question drop. “I think I should go see my dad. He asked me to come over a few days ago, but I told him I was busy.”
“We’ll take the car home. You can get a cab, right?” She said.
“Yeah.” I agreed.
I watch as she heads toward our car, pretending not to notice the big, hulking man following them. Once Kiara has Cassie in her car seat, she climbs into the driver’s seat.
And our bodyguard, whom I silently call Todd because we haven’t been introduced yet, heads to the black Escalade, which he follows us everywhere. But I appreciate him giving us space. We usually don’t notice he’s there.
When they leave, I hail a cab and drive to my family’s house, where I find my father in the living room. I’m surprised by Ivan De Luca, who appears to be watching a baseball game with my father. When I arrive, they both look up and rise to their feet. My father’s face breaks into a smile.
“Hello, honey,” he says.
“Dad,” I greet, kissing his cheek.
“Ivan,” I nod to the other man.
I haven’t seen him since I got back from London. His dark hair is a little longer, and he's a lot bigger than the last time I saw him, but he's still the same. He has that charming golden boy aura that makes you want to trust him. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on me.
"Hey, beautiful." He moves as if he wants to hug me, but he seems to have changed his mind. I'm glad.
I turn to my father. "Since when are you two close enough to watch a game together?"
"Because Ivan is going to be my son-in-law," my dad says casually.
I blink, slowly putting the words together.
"Sorry, what?" I ask, confused. “You have another daughter I don’t know about?”
To my extreme irritation, both men chuckle.
“Of course not, my love. I told you I’d find you a husband, didn’t I? And over the last year, Ivan has proven himself to be just the man for the job.” Dad said.
With mounting horror, I turn to Ivan, who has a satisfied expression on his face. And just like that, my predicament gets even worse.
Roman.
I wince as the door of my Audi slams shut. I didn’t mean to close it that hard. I look at the church I've been going to for as long as I can remember. I haven't been here in a long time, but my mother insisted on my coming today, saying it wasn't good for the head of the family to be away from God's presence for too long.
What she really meant was that it was bad PR for us in the media, especially since we're supposed to be a good, loving family.
Michael is by my side as we enter the majestic cathedral. Tony isn't with us because that bastard is practically an atheist. As we walk through the front door, we dip our hands in holy water before crossing ourselves. Then we head to the pews where my family usually sits.
The congregation is mostly Italian, family members. I stand next to my mother, and she smiles as she hands me a hymn book. I don't sing, but as the service begins, the chorus of voices grows louder.
I don't say a word, I sit through the service until the priest says the magic words.
“Go in peace.”
We all stand up as he leaves. Finally. Everyone begins ooze out the door, and I'm about to leave too, but Mom convinces me to stay and mingle with some of the parishioners.
Fucking hell.
"Mom," I say through clenched teeth when she asks me to walk her to the back of the church to see the priest. "I don't care what kind of donation you plan to make to the church. And I especially don't care what you say to the priest."
Her eyes narrow.
"We're in church, Roman. Don't swear. If you're going to talk like that in the house of God, then go away."
"My pleasure," I say with relief. "Goodbye, Mom. I'll see you at home.”
I walk out of the church and to my car, where Michael is standing with a shit-eating grin on his face. He’s been cleared to leave with the rest of the group. His mom wouldn’t have dragged him along, given his extreme aversion to human company outside of his family.
“How was the conversation?” he asks.
“Fuck off,” I mutter.
We get in, and I start the car and drive away. The first few minutes pass in companionable silence before my thoughts inevitably return to the topic I’ve been thinking about all week. I’m supposed to meet Elena and Cassie today, but I still have no idea what to do. It doesn’t help that I can’t talk to anyone about it.
“Hey, so I need to talk to you about something,” I begin hesitantly.
“Go on.” He said.
“That’s a hypothetical, Mikey. I mean, it’s not a real situation.” I said.
“I know what hypothetical means,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“Okay, so let’s say I knocked a girl out. She gets pregnant. And remember, this is a hypothetical, Mikey. I’m just wondering. How would you suggest I tell the girl’s parents?” I describe the situation.
Michael looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Rom,” he says slowly. “Have you gotten anyone pregnant? Damn it. Clera’s pregnant?”
“Clara,” I correct, rolling my eyes. “And no, she’s not pregnant. We’ve never had sex.”
“Oh,” Michael says, his anxiety visibly lessening. “Then why the hell would you ask such a stupid question?”
I groan. “I don’t know, man. I’m just curious.”
He looks at me again. I can almost feel the suspicion. He wants to know more, but he doesn’t ask. Michael doesn’t push.
“That would depend on…,” he finally answers.
“On…,” I prod.
He shrugs. “A bunch of things. How close are you to this woman? Is she Catholic? Italian? Does her family live in Cosa Nostra?”
I nod slowly before deciding on the best way to help him understand.
“Okay, let’s say it was Rose, and no, my sister is definitely not pregnant, but what if she were pregnant by a man she’s not married to, or even engaged to? A one-night stand, maybe. What would you do?” Michael doesn’t even hesitate.
“I’d probably kill him. But I’m sure you’ll beat me to it.” I tense up a little.
“But the baby…”
“She’ll grow up without a father,” Michael says firmly. “Nobody touches the women in our family.”
He’s right. Hell, I know he’s right. That means I screwed up so badly.
“Yeah,” I say, swallowing.
“Are you okay, Roman?” He asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I said.