Chapter 64 Complicated Situation
Elena.
The world freezes as I watch my brother get out of the car. He walks up to Roman, and I don't understand what he's saying because panic is gripping every muscle in my body. It's like I'm about to get hit by a train, and all I can do is fall over. I can't move.
When Tony's expression turns threatening, I snap out of it. I sprint to the other side of my car, standing between my brother and Roman.
"Tony, what are you doing here?" I ask, my heart pounding. I hope to diffuse the situation.
“I followed you,” he replies, not taking his eyes off Roman or the child in his arms. “I saw you leaving the apartment. Whose child is this?” His eyes finally meet mine, and I can see how confused he is. He’s waiting for me to tell him the truth.
I open my mouth to say something, but the words just don’t come out. I have no idea how to explain. Despite all our planning, my brain turns to mush just when I need it most.
Luckily, Roman seems to have more control over the situation than I do.
“It’s okay, Elena. Take Cassie,” he whispers from behind me.
I turn and pick up the baby, holding her so she doesn’t have to look at her uncle, who is easily angered.
“Will someone explain what the hell is going on? I’ll ask again, whose baby is this?” Tony snaps.
Roman takes a deep breath. Visible tension runs through every muscle in his shoulders.
“This is my daughter,” he finally says. Tony’s eyes widen in shock. “Not just mine. Ours,” Roman adds.
I run my free hand over my face and groan softly. Gently, Roman. Really gently.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Tony growls.
“I need you to calm down, Tony. Calm down and let me explain.”
Weirdly, he does. He leans against his car and crosses his arms.
“I’m listening,” he prompts.
Roman takes a deep breath. I’m acutely aware that we’re in public, and if Tony strikes, we’ll attract attention we definitely don’t need. I bite my bottom lip and chew nervously.
“A year ago, when Elena went to London, she was pregnant…” I should have known that Tony really doesn’t know how to listen. He interrupts Roman, chuckling.
“Are you saying that my sister had a baby and I didn’t know?” He asked.
“Yes,” Roman says bluntly.
He’s really bad at this.
“It’s Cassie,” he says. “She was born about three months ago.”
“Okay, stop. Let’s say that crazy story is actually true. Tell me she got pregnant. What does that have to do with you?” Tony demands.
The look on his face is exactly what you’d call the calm before the storm.
“The baby’s mine,” Roman declares.
Tony looks from Roman to me behind him, then back to Roman. I see his eyes darken, and he pushes Roman back.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You mean to tell me you fucked my sister?" he yells.
I flinch, noticing the number of people watching. Yeah, this situation needs to be de-escalated. And fast. Seeing Tony's fist clench like he's about to throw a punch, I immediately step between them. I look at my brother.
"That's not what we're doing here," I snap.
"Get lost, Elena. Get out of my way!" he growls.
"No. You're going to get in the car, right now. And I'm going to come with you so I can explain the situation. Roman will meet us at the house after he drops Cassie off at my place with Kiara.” I said.
Roman leans down behind me. "I'm not sure this is a good idea, wolf."
"Shut up!" Tony snaps. "And stay away from her."
Right now, Roman isn't his Don, and he hasn't been his best friend in over a decade. As Tony approaches, as if he's about to hit him again, I take a step forward. Cassie is still in my arms, and thankfully, she's not crying. She's blissfully unaware, her eyes scanning the area.
"Tony, please," I beg my brother. “I need you not to do that right now.”
My brother’s chest rises as he looks at me. Then his gaze lands on the baby in my arms, and I see the pain flash across his face. He glances back at Roman once more and heads to the driver’s seat of his car.
I turn to Roman, feeling a little relieved. He’s not looking at me. His gaze is fixed on Tony, who is now gripping the steering wheel of his car.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go with him? Tony is a ticking time bomb. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Roman chuckled.
I shake my head. “We both know my brother would never hurt me. Come meet us at your place. I think we’re telling the truth today.”
“Fuck,” Roman breathes.
He takes Cassie from my arms and holds her carefully. I feel a pang of guilt as I look at them both.
“Roman,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t kept the truth for so long.”
He shakes his head. “You did what you thought was right, dammit. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I give him a small smile before climbing into the passenger seat of my brother’s car. He doesn’t even look at me before he starts the engine and drives away.
“Are you going to listen to me?” I ask, a few minutes into the drive.
“No,” he says, his muscles tense. His eyes are fixed on the road. “I’m taking you to your dad. Then you can tell him whatever the hell you want to tell him.”
I take a deep breath.
“Tony, I’m so fucking sorry. You have no idea…”
“No! Shut up. I can’t believe you actually did that. You fucked my best friend!” he screams.
I pause, looking at him. “You're strangely fixated on the wrong things. Yes, I slept with Roman. But I also hid my pregnancy and gave birth without telling you.”
He looks at me with eyes full of anger. “Is that something to be so damn proud of? You’re just begging me to hate you, aren’t you, sister?”
With that, my lips tighten, and I turn away, looking out the window. My eyes fill with tears, but I blink. I can’t talk to him like that. He won’t listen to me.
We pull up to De Luca’s house, and Tony slams the door, getting out of the car. I follow him at an equal distance as he heads into the house. I suddenly regret coming here without Roman.
Unfortunately, Maria is with my father, as is Rose. The only person missing is Michael, but of course, he decides to come downstairs when we arrive, eyebrows raised in question.
“What’s going on?” my father asks, rising to his feet.
Michael nods at Tony.
“Why does he look so angry?”
A muscle twitches in my brother’s jaw as he turns to face me.
“Are you going to tell them or should I?”
A sensation washed over me as my throat tightened.