Bulletproof Baby: An Age Gap, Surprise Pregnancy Mafia Romance by Ajme Williams

Author:Ajme Williams [Williams, Ajme]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

15

LIA

Why me?

Flashes of men fighting with Valentino swallow up every free inch of thought as I lay on the pull-out sofa in the spare bedroom of Frankie's apartment. The room is more like a catch-all space for every piece of random furniture and workout equipment that my cousin owns. The walls feel like they're closing in as I toss and turn to get some sleep.

A glance at my phone tells me that the sun is coming up by the time I feel the weight of my eyes closing. The sound of the city coming to life lets me know it's at least after seven in the morning. But not seeing anything from Valentino is disheartening. After everything that happened, I'm not sure if he's upset that I chose to stay here instead of going wherever he planned to take me. I'm kicking myself as it dawns on me that I chose comfort over safety, but I can't just trust Valentino. Can I?

I want to. My eyes stare up at the dreadful popcorn ceilings with the chestnut-bladed ceiling fan. Petal-shaped sconces hold light bulbs in its center. I force myself to study every line to simply get my mind off the what-ifs.

Valentino has gone from a complete stranger to the owner of my virginity. He saved me from Saul. However, in my fear and desperation to save my parents, I allowed Valentino to steal my trust. The only thing I can actually trust about Val is that he wants to keep me safe, but what if it all comes back to hurt me? Being with him hasn't done anything to stop Saul from extorting my family.

When the door creaks open, I barely move my face to see that it's Frankie poking his head into the room.

"Sorry about the clutter," he says. "I'm going out for breakfast. Do you need anything? Coffee? Breakfast? A zanny?"

I giggle. "No. Anti-anxiety meds make me feel like a zombie. I just need to get some rest for now. Thanks for letting me crash here, Frankie."

"Girl, don't start that again. What else was I supposed to do when you called me at like three-something in the morning? Tell you to sleep in Central Park, or worse, on the ferry? Have you gotten any sleep at all?"

"No, I wish." Instead of insisting he let me sleep, I push myself to sit up, grateful for the distraction, if even for a moment. The bed creaks while the bottom third threatens to fold in. Frankie laughs as he plops down to stop the rickety thing from moving.

"I guess I should get rid of this thing," he says, patting the bed's thin mattress. "Oh shit, you remember when we had to hide that weed between the cushions. Nonna couldn't figure out where that smell was coming from."

The flashes of our immaturity make me laugh softly. I pull my knees up to my chest, resting my chin on them as I wrap my arms around my shins. "Wow. I can't believe you remember that.

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