“Oh god, that sounds good. I’ll have that,” Thea moans, clearly wanting breakfast for dinner.
“Don’t moan in front of other people,” Salvatore says to his wife. She rolls her eyes.
“You two can go.” He nods to the men silently flanking me. They barely said two words since they picked me up from the hotel. It was as if they weren’t allowed to talk to me or something. Then Salvatore fixes his gaze on me. “You can come in.”
I’m not really sure I want to. I push my glasses up my nose before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, something I do when I’m nervous. I look back at the black SUV that brought me here. I really want to turn around and get back in it.
“Now,” he says, clearly not a very patient man.
I have no choice. I look back at the couple who have taken a step to the side to let me in. I cross over the threshold, and the door shuts and locks behind me. At the sound of the lock turning, I feel like my world is never going to be the same.
Chapter 2
Emma
“He can be bossy,” Thea tells me with a little huff. I want to mutter a “you don’t say,” but I keep those words tightly sealed behind my lips. “Come on. My grumpy man will make us some food while we talk.”
Salvatore wraps an arm around her. She mutters that he shouldn’t be grumpy after what they did moments ago.
“I wasn’t done with you, angel.” He leans down and nuzzles at her ear.
“You’re never done,” she laughs. I follow them, feeling out of place. My eyes travel around the entryway as I pretend not to listen to their exchange. This place is crazy beautiful. I follow them under an archway that leads down a hallway right into a freaking giant kitchen.
“I’ll never be done,” he says.
Salvatore takes her over to an island in the middle of the kitchen that has high-top chairs all around it. He helps her up into one, then kisses her. He goes over to the refrigerator and starts pulling things out.
“Come sit.” Thea motions to the chair next to her. I walk over, taking my bag off my shoulder and pulling out the folder inside before I take my seat. I glance around the kitchen. It looks like it’s out of a movie or something.
“I know it’s big, but you get used to it.” She waves her hand like it’s no big deal.
I don’t think I’ll get used to any of this. I’m actually a little scared to touch anything in fear I might break it, so I change the subject.
“Your file didn’t have much in it,” I tell her as I flip it open.
“Yeah, Salvatore didn’t like the idea of things about me floating around out there.” She slides another folder over to me that was sitting on the counter next to her. I flip it open and read through it.
“Everything looks great. It wouldn’t hurt to gain a few more pounds, but everything’s on track according to these charts from your doctor. With you just now heading into your third trimester, do you think it’s a little early to have a live-in nurse when you’re not having any complications?” I ask. I normally don’t come until a few weeks before.
When she doesn’t say anything, I look up from the folder and see her eyes watering.
“Angel.” Salvatore rushes over toward her, but she waves him off.
“I’m fine. I’m fine. I promise.” He places a kiss where a tear ran down her cheek.
“Everything will be fine,” he tells her, kissing her on top of her head before reluctantly going back to cooking.
“Stupid hormones,” she says.
I reach out and touch her knee. “Thea, something is bothering you. If you don’t tell me, I can’t help.” I know I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have pushed the it’s too early for me to be here card in hopes I’d get placed in another house before it was time for them to need me. But seeing anyone hurt breaks my heart.
“It’s just I’m scared. I don’t know anything about babies, and I want to be a perfect mom to my little boy. I read and reread so many books, but still I’m worried.” Her shoulders slump a little at the admission.
“When your baby is placed in your arms, you’ll know what to do,” I tell her, because it’s the truth. It’s human nature.
“See, angel, I told you. I’ll be there every step of the way with you.”
Even knowing he’s a mobster and only having just met him, I know he’s not lying. This man would clearly do anything for her.
“I thought maybe we could do other stuff, though. I know you know all about what I should be eating. We could meal plan, maybe do baby workouts. Help me figure out if I have what I need for the baby’s room.” Her face lights up.