“That’s my little girl?”
“It is.”
“But how? You said you were on the pill.”
“Turns out it’s not always effective.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant back then?”
“I didn’t even know your name. You wore a mask. I thought you killed my mom. Then there was all the fighting and us running, starting a new life. I barely had time to think of anything other than staying alive, let alone tracking you down. Then I heard that Angelo Genovese died in a car crash but here you are.”
“Do you still think I killed her?”
“I don’t know. I did until I looked in your eyes in the restaurant. God help me, I think you were telling me the truth in there.”
“I have no reason to lie.”
“Except to get this box of mine.”
“I don’t want to keep it. I want to protect you while you get what you’re entitled to. I have a daughter. I can’t believe we have a child together.”
“You want to meet her?”
“That wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I might not be around very long. Better not get to know me only for me to vanish.”
“You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
“I might not have a choice. Is she a smart kid?”
“Very.”
“Like her mom. I’ll be back in a day or two. Hopefully I’ll work out what to do with the box while I’m gone. When I come back, we’ll sit down together and talk to her.”
She gets out of the car. “If you’re quiet, you can come see her now.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“She’ll be asleep. At least take a look.”
“Okay.”
She walks up to the door and unlocks it. I follow her inside. She leaves the lights off, moving upstairs and pushing open a door. “Take a look,” she whispers in my ear.
I look into the room. Over on the bed, there’s a bundle of blankets with a head sticking out the top. My breath held, I walk over and look down.
My daughter is asleep, her eyes closed, breathing slowly, looking like an angel. I watch her for a moment, thoughts and feelings bubbling up in me that I’ve never felt before in my life. I can’t get close. I must not let myself connect with her.
I step away, walking back downstairs past Natalie, who pulls the door quietly closed. She follows me to the doorstep. “Don’t run out on us,” she says, tugging at my arm. “I don’t think I could bear it.”
“I can’t promise that.” I wrap my hand around the back of her head and kiss her lightly. “But I’ll try my hardest to do what’s right.”
Chapter Eleven
Natalie