Chapter 63 Secret Open
Roman
“Okay, I’m going to tell you something, and I need you not to worry,” I begin.
She nods. “Okay, I’m listening.”
I take a deep breath. “I have a daughter.”
Rose’s eyes widen to the size of golf balls. I don’t let the shock wear off before I drop it all on her. I tell her that Elena is the mother of my child and that she went to London to hide her pregnancy. I tell her all about Cassie and the stupid situation I found myself in.
By the time I finish explaining, I feel lighter than I have in weeks. It felt good to get it all off my chest. Of course, I feel like I traumatized my sister in the process. Rose is silent for a few minutes, and I am silent, letting it all sink in.
“You and Elena have a kid together?” she asks, horrified.
“Yeah,” I confirmed.
“Holy shit!” She was surprised.
I hold back a smile. Thanks to Mom’s care, Rose is always so prim and proper. She never really swears, so it's funny to hear it coming from her mouth.
I throw my head back against the seat and sigh. “Yeah.”
“Oh, my God. You’re both going to die. You’re both so dead,” she mutters.
“Not exactly comforting words, Sister,” I said.
“You know I’m right. Not only did you sleep with her, but you tested her, and then you hid the pregnancy for a year!” She said.
“It wasn’t my decision,” I point out, frowning. “I had very little control over it.”
“So what? You’re having a baby, Roman. With a woman you’re not married to. Oh, my God! Mom’s going to pass out. Salvador’s going to go crazy. Tony’s going to kill you.” She said.
My jaw clenches. “Trust me, Rose. I know how they’ll react to this news.”
She looks at my face and at my expression; her eyes soften. “Even though I’m an aunt. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Yeah. She’s the perfect girl.” I said.
“And you love her?” She asked.
I raise an eyebrow at the question. I’ve known about Cassie for almost three weeks. I’ve met her three times. But honestly, I have no doubt in my feelings for this little girl.
“Of course I love her,” I answer gruffly. “She’s my daughter.”
Rose smiles. “I’m glad. And I'm happy for you. You'll be the best father.”
"Of course. Until my best friend kills me," I say darkly.
“He probably won’t kill you,” she offers optimistically. “But he might never forgive you.”
I exhale. “Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of.”
When I get to the apartment the next day, Kiara opens the door. I raise an eyebrow at her appearance.
“What’s that shit on your face?” I ask, pointing to the black substance covering every inch except her eyes, nose, and mouth.
Her eyes narrow.
“It’s a face mask, thank you very much. Elena, your daddy’s here,” she announces, stepping away from the door to let me in.
Rolling my eyes, I follow her. Elena emerges from the bedroom, holding a crying baby in her arms.
“Hi,” she says, smiling sheepishly. “You can hold her. She won’t stop crying.”
Immediately, I reach for Cassie and pull her close. Holding her close to my chest, I give her a soothing back rub, a tip I learned through research. While I try my best to memorize the words of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, you’re above the world. In a diamond in the sky, fly lalalalalalala. Twinkle, twinkle, little star. There you are, in the sky.”
A few seconds pass, and the screams stop, dissolving into small gasps and noises. Finally, she falls silent, and I grin.
Elena starts giggling, letting me know that I've forgotten the words. Or maybe I never knew them.
"You're so good with her," she says, her eyes wide.
She walks over to her friend, who is watching me intently. She whispers something in Elena's ear, causing her to gasp, before clapping her on the shoulder.
“Shut up, Ki,” Elena mutters.
I watch the two women curiously, bouncing the baby in my arms.
“So, Roman, tell me how you went from the guy who shot people in the head to this,” she says, pointing at me.
“Magic,” I say, deadpan.
She smiles.
“It’s so precious. I’d take a picture and send it to Michael and Tony, but I can’t because you two haven’t confessed.”
I hear the verdict loud and clear in Kiara’s voice. Elena lets out a frustrated sigh.
“I told Rose,” I say, looking into Kiara’s brown eyes.
“Congratulations. You told someone who was never going to scold you about it. You’re welcome, Roman,” she grins.
“And why are you so worried?” I ask her.
“Because I’m worried. This could all blow up in your face so easily. And I hate that you can’t handle the consequences.” Kiara said.
“I’ll deal with it,” I yell.
“Hm. Just tell them soon, please.” She gets up and heads to her room, leaving Elena alone with me. There’s a thoughtful expression on her face.
“She’s right, you know. We need to tell them as soon as possible.” She said, too.
“Yeah, I know. I was planning on breaking the news at the family dinner on Tuesday,” I tell her. “You don’t have to be there.”
“Are you kidding? This is as much my mess as it is yours. Maybe even more so. I’m the one who’s been hiding it for a year. I’ll be there.” She said.
“Okay.” We both talk for a few minutes about Cassie’s sudden aversion to her baby milk before Elena informs me that she needs to go grocery shopping.
“I’ll come with you,” I say.
“No, it’s okay. It’s a ten-minute drive.” She said.
“I’m coming. We can take Cassie, too.” I said.
She shrugs, deciding not to argue, and heads into the other bedroom. I hear her tell Kiara that we’re leaving, and then she’s standing in front of me with Cassie’s baby bag.
“Come on,” I said, holding Cassie.
We leave the house and take the elevator down, deciding to get into Elena’s car since it already has Cassie’s car seat. After making sure it’s in the gas, we sneak in. The ten-minute drive is spent trying to figure out how best to inform our family of the new product.
When we pull up to the grocery store, I park, and Elena waits while I take Cassie out of her car seat. I carry her out as a very familiar car pulls up next to her.
My eyebrows go up as I look at the dark green Mercedes. Then Tony gets out of the driver's seat. He stops a few feet away from the baby and me in my arms.
"What the hell is going on here?" he asks.
Holy shit.