"I left because we were incompatible, because I married him in haste. I didn’t find out I was pregnant while I was with him, or he might not have let me go at all..."
His gaze grows thunderous. "What does that mean? Did he use force with you? Did he, Princess?"
I shake my head. "Please, let me go. I need to make sure I get Avery to him before it’s too late."
The traffic in front begins to move slowly. Horns sound all around us. He curses, then releases me to focus on his driving. A few minutes later, we come to a stop again. I grab the handle, twist it, and shove the door open on my side.
Seb curses, "Cazzo, I should have locked the doors."
I open the door to the backseat, and reach over to Avery to unbuckle the straps so I can scoop her out of the baby seat. Then, I reach down to grab the bag with her essentials.
I straighten to find Seb has crossed over to stand next to me. He grabs the bag from me.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m coming with you."
"But the car—"
"I’ve messaged Adrian to come get it."
He slams the door shut behind me, then locks the car. The man in the car behind us rolls down his window and gestures rudely. "Stacazzo!Dove pensi di andare?" He yells.
I know enough Italian to understand that he's asking Seb where the hell he thinks he’s going?
Seb shoots him a glare and the man pales. He must recognize Seb as Mafioso, for he instantly retreats back into his car. I cross over to the sidewalk, with Seb leading the way. His long legs eat up the distance, and I struggle to keep up with him. Sweat pours down my temples as I move Avery to my other arm. A few more steps, and my arms begin to ache. Damnit, am I not strong enough to carry my own child? I try to increase my pace and trip on a crack in the sidewalk.
Seb grasps my arm. "Easy," he murmurs, "easy."
Avery begins to cry as I continue to walk with Seb guiding me forward with an arm around my shoulder. "Shh, baby, it’s okay," I assure her, but I’m not even sure I believe that myself. She cries louder, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Here, let me." Seb takes her from me. He holds her against his chest with one arm, the same arm over which he flung the bag over his shoulder. He grabs my wrist with his other hand, and begins to walk faster. I almost have to run to keep up with him, but at least I’m not carrying the bag or encumbered by Avery’s weight. We reach the corner, turn right, then keep going until we hit the turnoff to the road for Fabio’s house. We turn in and the noise of High Street fades away. He picks up his pace, and so do I.
"It’s this house," I pant as we reach a pair of white gates.
I reach for Avery, but he steps to the side. "I’m coming inside," he murmurs as he depresses the button below the security camera.
"This is a bad idea." I shift my weight from foot to foot. "He won’t be happy."
"Too fu— Too bad," Seb growls.
The gates swing inward and we walk through.
11
Seb
How did I find myself in this situation? Carrying another man’s child, leading another man’s ex-wife, walking to his door with the purpose of telling him to back the fuck off from them? Not that I mind. Everything I’ve seen on Fabio reveals that he’s an asshole of the first order—a corrupt cop who works both sides of the system. I’m looking forward to taking him down, but why the hell is she so afraid of him? What did he do to her to put that terrified look on her face? She brushes past me and stops in front of me. "Please, Seb. Please give her to me."
I glance from her to the door up ahead.
"Please, it’s bad enough you’re with me. I don’t want him to see her with you; it will drive him crazy."
It’s driving me crazy, hearing you talk about another man in my presence. It’s making me insane thinking of you with anyone else.
"Please." A tear rolls down her cheek. "Please, Seb, please don’t do this."
A hot sensation stabs at my chest. My insides knot.Porca miseria,I am going to regret this. I hand Avery over to her. The kid begins to cry again and reaches for me, but Elsa grabs her bag from me, then walks toward the front door of the house. She walks up the steps and the door opens as she reaches the top. A man stands framed in the doorway. He’s wearing the uniform that identifies him as thePolizia.He’s also wearing his hat.What a prick.Clearly, he’s trying to fluster her with his authority.