And then Adrian won't be the one with a vengeance.
I will be.
35
Adrian
"Here. You have to do it," my father states.
I stare at the paper bag in my hands. "I don't know how."
"Figure it out," Father hisses at me. "If it's true, we need to get her the fuck out of here soon."
"Fine."
We both startle at the sound of rustling in the hallway, but when I check, there's no one around but an oblivious guard. I take the paper bag from my father, nodding at him as I walk down the hallway.
He's given me a nearly impossible task. How the fuck am I going to go through with this? There's no goddamn way to do it without rousing Marzia's suspicion.
I know what's inside the bag…a pregnancy test. It's been almost three months that Maria's been here at the Estate. Plenty of time to get her pregnant, especially considering how many times I've fucked her. But my mistress having a kid before my wife is a scandal not even our family can tolerate. And if my suspicions are correct... If Marzia really is pregnant, we need to get her out of the Estate before the wedding.
There is a summer home we have in a coastal town of Sicily, one where she can be safe. Once I figure out the mess I've gotten myself into with this wedding, I'll be able to join her there and continue our life together.
First, I need to figure out whether it's true.
I walk to her quarters and knock on the door, hiding the test in the pocket of my blazer.
"Come in," she calls out.
I do, opening the door and watching her for a moment.
She's sitting on the sofa, contentedly sketching in one of the sketchpads I've given her.
Since she came here, Marzia has truly embraced her talents, and I'm proud of her. I've recently sent some of her paintings and drawings to the city to get framed. I make a mental note to pick them up as fast as possible, so I can take them to the summer home when Marzia leaves.
"Hello," she says tentatively when she sees me in her salon. "Is something the matter?"
"No," I reply. "You need to take another test."
"Why?" She narrows her eyes at me.
"Need to know if you're ovulating."
"Again?" She groans, opening her hand. "Fine, give it to me, I'll take it now." She seems to believe me, thinking this is only a test to check her ovulation.
I hand her the test without its box and usher her into the bathroom. While she's in there, my heart fucking pounds. What if she is pregnant? What if my mistress is carrying my child?
I know I'll never be able to go through with the wedding then. I won't be able to marry someone else, not whilst knowing Marzia is carrying my child. Father's going to fucking kill me.
Five minutes later, she emerges from the bathroom and my heart fucking drops. I stare at her, committing every feature of her pretty face to memory. Her full lips, her glossy hair, the way her eyes look at me with trust when that's the last thing she should be feeling for me.
"And?" I bark.
"I don't know." She shrugs, handing me the test. "There's a smiley face on the test. What the fuck does that mean?"
My head starts fucking spinning the moment those words leave her lips.
It's true. Either my worst fear or my biggest wish has just come true. Marzia Da Costa is pregnant with my child.
I'm overcome by desire when I check the test myself. She wasn't lying ?a big smiley face is on the test ? signaling that the test is positive. "Congratulations," I mutter.
"So?" She raises her eyes at me. "That means you're going to fuck me, doesn't it?"
With my head still spinning, I look at her. This test being positive means I need to get Marzia out of here as soon as fucking possible. I can't risk Gustavo or one of the Bernardi's enemies finding out there's a mafia heir on the way. It wouldn't just endanger Marzia, it would endanger our baby as well.
I take a moment to think about the possibilities. Sending her away. But even being without Marzia for a few days makes me want to lose my mind. I don't want to give her up. I don't want to send her off to our summer home.
"Well?" she asks again.
I realize I've been lost in thought for too long. I don't want to look suspicious.
"You want me to fuck you?" I ask my voice surprisingly soft as I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes." She nods. "Don't I always?"
There's something about the way she's acting. Her words seem tinged by sadness. But all I have to do is remind myself of the fact that she must be upset about my upcoming wedding to Nicoletta. She must be dreading it, knowing I'm going to marry someone else. But I can't reveal the truth to Marzia, not yet. If I do, I risk her spilling it to someone else, which would only endanger her more.