All Chapters of MAFIA LORD LOVER: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS , life settled into a normal pattern, or as normal as one could expect when you were a mobster's girlfriend. Yes, girlfriend. I had convinced myself that Fausto was my boyfriend, because that was preferable to the real situation, that I was his lover. Everyone knew the truth, however. The only person I was fooling was myself.Most days, my inner lie worked. Everyone at the property treated me with kindness and respect. Everything I asked for was granted, and I felt like part of the family. The only person who didn't warm up to me was Marco, and I found that worrying, considering his closeness to Fausto. Marco's attitude remained polite but cold towards me. I told myself I didn't care, but the question of why sank under my skin like a splinter.My classes were starting next week and I couldn't wait. I found a college with a good agriculture program that had online classes and, as promised, Fausto gave me the money in a trust and bought me a laptop. Meanwhile, o

FrancescaI WAS WALKING IN MY ROOM , on the verge of hysteria, when Giulio came back from the pharmacy.“Here,” he said, handing me the bag. — I bought five, exactly as you asked.- Thanks. I'm sure it's nothing. It has to be stress.Giulio raised his palms. — I don't know anything about a woman's cycle, but I think you should check it out. Just to keep you calm, right?I swallowed. - I know. You will be?- It is clear. Go. Let's check together.I went into the bathroom and opened the first box. The instructions seemed simple enough. Hold the stick in the pee, let it sit, and read the results. Maybe I should do two tests, just to be sure.With shaking hands, I unwrapped another box and opened the paper on the stick. Holding them both, I sat down and peed, making sure to get each stick thoroughly wet. So I put them on the counter, cleaned them up and called Giulio.He entered carefully, as if he were afraid of scaring me.- Ready?— Set your phone's timer for five minutes. Then we will

FrancescaWHEN I WENT DOWN FOR BREAKFAST , I found Zia in the kitchen. Fausto had retired to his office an hour ago, and Giulio was probably still sleeping.“Buongiorno, la nipote,” she said, giving me a mischievous halftime smile.What did that word mean? Pregnant lover? Stupid woman who forgot her birth control and let a mob king get her pregnant?With Zia, it was hard to tell. The cunning old woman.I went and kissed her cheek. — Buongiorno, Zia.When I tried to make a cup of espresso, she slapped my hand away. — La caffeina does male al bambino.— There, Zia. I need coffee. — I pointed to the espresso machine. - Please? — I put my hands together as if I was praying and squeezed them, begging. I could die if she didn't let me have coffee.— No. Faust's baby. — She pointed to my belly, as if I needed a reminder.Pouting, I fell onto a stool. - How did you know? — When she frowned, I thought about the Italian I learned. — Come... sapere... bambino? — Sapere, — was the verb, — to know

FrancescaI WAS GOING to my old room when Giulio ran down the hall, head down. “Hey, G,” I called as I closed the door. -You wanted?He looked up and I saw tears streaming down his face. — Not now, Frankie.When he tried to dodge me to get into his room, I held out my hand to stop the door from closing. I slipped inside as he fell onto the bed, face first. - What is wrong?— You will stay by his side. You're practically his wife.He had a fight with Fausto, obviously. — Except I'm not and never will be. So what happened?Giulio whispered: —He found out, Frankie.I knew immediately what he was talking about. I threw myself onto the mattress. - Oh shit. As?- I don't know. I was always very careful.- What did he say?— That I have to break up with Paulo. If I don't do this, he said he would kill Paulo.What the fuck? I took a deep breath, my hands reaching out to steady myself on the bed. —Was he serious?— My father doesn't joke, not about murder. He was very serious.And this man was

FrancescaTHE TERM—MORNING SICKNESS —was a lie, no doubt invented by a man to give the impression that it wasn't so bad. New news for women everywhere: it was horrible.I rolled over and grabbed another ginger candy. While these little golden ovals didn't eliminate the nausea, they definitely reduced it. And pregnant beggars didn't have a choice.After sucking on the candy for a few moments, I felt ready to get up.Do not wait. Not so fast.I fell back down and closed my eyes. I hated it. I hated being in Italy. I hated being a woman. I hated being pregnant.And I really hated this baby's father.I no longer referred to him by name. He was -my baby's father- or -il Diavolo- whenever I had to mention him in conversation. Which didn't happen often, considering Giulio and my sisters were the only people I spoke to.At least the beach was beautiful. The house was predictably beautiful, right on the water, with large, airy rooms and expensive furniture. If I had to be a prisoner, at least