Page 54 of Redemption
“She was here this morning, Christiano—”
“What?”
“She told me she’s carrying your child.”
The hair rises on my nape. “What!”
“Congratulations. You’re going to be a father.”
I jump up from the chair, making it topple and fall back with a loud crash.
“Well, it can happen when you don’t keep your dick in your pants,” he says with a short laugh. “I hope she was worth it, and in any case, we don’t kill family, so you’re not touching the girl. On the contrary, you’re gonna make sure she’s safe and well taken care of.”
I pace back and forth, pushing my fingers through my hair. My heart pounds like crazy. She’s pregnant? I think back on our long night together. I came in her. Over and over. I just assumed she was on the fucking pill. Why didn’t she say something?
“What the fuck?”
“Are you hearing me loud and clear, Christian?”
I stop and stare at him, then I nod. “Yeah. I won’t touch her. I’ve… I never meant to.” I lick my lips. “After I healed and got back on my feet, I knew I couldn’t hurt her.”
“Hence the stalling?”
“Yeah.”
“Well. Just this once it turned out to be a good thing. Never fail me again, though.” His voice is ice cold, leaving no room for negotiation. He isn’t happy with me, that’s for sure.
“What now?”
“I’ll send someone for her. Not you, because she’ll never trust you again.”
A stab of pain shoots through my chest. That hurt. I have to rectify that, make amends.
“Who?” I grit out.
“Nathan. Matteo. Someone who can keep their fucking cool. Now fuck off. Take a few days off. You’re a mess.”
“I don’t know where she is.”
Salvatore whips his head in my direction. “What do you mean?”
“I think she has disappeared.”
Sixteen
Kerry
Iend up staying with Chloe’s cousin for three days. I don’t want to be rude, so I’m treading carefully when I ask him if I can clean up after myself before I leave. The way he lights up at my offer warms my heart, and I end up cleaning the whole place, except his gaming dungeon in the basement. I don’t even dare to look down there.
I find a two-bedroom studio in the center of town, in a new apartment complex walking distance from the Navy Pier. Hiding in plain sight seems like the way to go. Lots of people around me, a guard at the door, alarms. The rent isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the money. I hope he won’t ever find me, but if he does, I’ll have taken all the measures I possibly can.
Looking for a paid job feels meaningless at this point, but to keep my hands occupied I do volunteer work at a shelter for abused women. It seems fitting, and keeps me from dwelling.
I need to furnish my place and make it feel like a home, and see if I can get a permit for a legal weapon. I’ve heard it’s near impossible in Chicago, so I don’t have much hope. There’s so much to do, but filling my days with practicalities drowns out the constant nagging worry in my chest.
The women at the center teach me something I’d never have thought of myself. I pack an emergency bag. A phone that can’t be traced to me. Cash. Lots of cash. Some basic clothes and hygiene products. I can escape with a moment’s notice.
Chicago is nothing like San Francisco. I feel like an alien. My belly swells. I’m thin as a stick, but the little girl I carry takes what is needed and keeps growing. Oversized shirts and sweaters hide the state I’m in. In case anyone’s looking.