Ch. 256..260: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 256-260

Chapter 256

I grab Janeen's arm on the way to the table, pulling her back just a little. "You're going to do whatever he asks you to, Janeen!" I hiss, glaring at my sister. "I'm going to hear him out, Fay!" Janeen says, gesturing towards the table.

"What!?" I gasp, appalled at her lack of instant assurance.

"He's right!" Janeen says, stopping to argue with me in whispers while the men begin to settle themselves at the table, leaving a space for me at Kent's right-hand side. "I mean, I'm probably going to say yes, Fay, but Kent does not get the same blank check that you do! I want to hear what he's asking first!"

"He'd never ask anything of you that -"

"He would," Janeen says, raising her eyebrows at me. "You think I didn't read every article I could on this guy during those months he wouldn't let us talk to you, Fay? I know you're in love with him, and I'm certainly becoming aware that there's more to him than just the ruthless mafia boss, but if you think he's not capable of throwing people under the bus to get what he wants then you're being naïve."

"Not people he loves," I growl, glaring up at her. "Not people I love."

Janeen's mouth tightens as she looks down at me. "I said I'd hear him out," she says. "But I did not sign up to join the mafia, Fay. I'm here for you," she says, pointing in my face, "and this baby," she moves her finger to point at my stomach now. "Not for him." "It's one in the same," I snap, baring my teeth a little at my sister.

We stare at each other, each locked in our stubborn glare, but I flinch out of our standoff when I hear someone clear their throat.

Together, Janeen and I turn to see the entire table of men looking at us.

"It's fair, Fay," Kent says, looking at me evenly. "She has a choice."

I glare at my sister again before stalking to Kent's side and sitting down there, making my own loyalties perfectly clear. Janeen keeps her face even, sitting down quietly at the far end of the table next to Jerome. As soon as Janeen is seated, Kent begins.

"It's a heist," Kent says, looking calmly around at all of us. "Casino de Monte Carlo."

I blink at him in what feels like slow motion. "W-what?"

He turns to look at me, a little line forming between his eyebrows. "I said seven words, and you already have questions?"

My mouth falls open a little bit. "You say those seven words and expect me to believe that you're describing what we're going to be doing for the next four months and not the plot of the next James Bond film?" "They already kind of did that one, actually," Jerome says with a little grimace, and I gesture towards him as proof of my claim.

"Regardless," Kent says, crossing his arms and looking around at us. "That's the deal."

"Bianci said this was in your wheelhouse, Kent," I say, peering at him closely. "Have you...done this sort of thing before?"

"My first job," he says, flicking his eyes to me. "First solo, at least. I was...young. It went well, but there was suspicion regarding who was behind it. One of the reasons I went to America - to wait for the dust to settle a bit." "We just fled one continent," I mutter, suddenly anxious. "Where do we go after this one? Asia? Africa?"

"What does he want us to take?" Daniel asks, moving on without me.

Kent describes a particular high-roller who visits the casino on a pretty regular basis - one of Bianci's enemies who owes him a great deal of money and won't pay up. The job is relatively simple and more crime-y than I'm used to. We broke Kent out for love and family but this? This is all revenge. And money.

As he speaks, Kent lays it out as simply as he can. Our job is to take out the guy while he's there having a good night, seizing not only his winnings but also as many of his high-roller possessions as he can - cash, jewels, bank cards so that we can drain what funds we can. We have to leave the area clean, but with some kind of particular signature that lets Bianci's enemies know that they need to pay their debts or they'll meet the same fate.

We're all quiet for a long moment when Kent finishes speaking, processing this insane plan.

"Why does he want you to do it, Kent?" Gio asks, his voice soft. "It seems...the sort of job any of his regulars could do."

"Because they don't know I'm here," Kent replies, shifting his eyes to his nephew. "And I've been away long enough that I wouldn't be immediately recognized as a connection to the Bianci family."

"Though I would," Gio says, tilting his head a little.

"Which is why you're staying in the hotel room," Kent says. "Base operations."

"And me?" Janeen asks, perking up. I move my eyes away from Kent for the first time, surprised by my sister's tone. My eyebrows arch when I see her so enthused. She catches my eye and shrugs at me. "This one sounds more fun than yours, Fay. Do I get to play a role? Can I be a femme fatale?"

"You do get to play a role, Janeen," Kent says, crossing his arms over his chest. "Though I need you to take it seriously. This is not for fun."

"It can be both," Janeen says, but the way she nods at him lets us all know that she understands.

"Janeen and Jerome are the most unrecognizable, if he's willing to participate," Kent explains, his eyes moving to Daniel's boyfriend. Jerome quickly nods his head, confirming that he' sin. "They'll be on the floor - gamblers or staff, I haven't decided yet. We have to see what we need. Daniel and I will do the job itself."

My heart sinks when I hear this. Not that I want Janeen doing any of the actual job - the thieving and the murdering - but hearing that it's going to be my baby daddy and my husband on the line?

Well. I'm not happy about that at all.

"What about me?" I ask when Kent silently surveys our little troops.

"You'll help me plan it," Kent says, turning to me.

"No, I mean day-of," I say, peering at him. "Am I going to be on the casino floor too?"

"You're going to be here, Fay," Kent says, looking at me like I'm a little crazy. "With your dad, and whatever guards I can get Bianci to loan me for the weekend."

"What!?" I gasp, appalled.

"You'll be more than eight months pregnant!" Kent explains, his confusion only deepening. "Fay, you'll barely be able to move, let alone travel to Monaco, let alone be an effective member of a heist team -" "That is such bullshit!"

"It's true!" Kent says, looking around the table for support. Everyone stays stone-faced and silent, not getting in the middle of this. "Fay, are you - are you serious? Did you honestly think that I was going to risk my pregnant wife in a dangerous heist at the end of her third trimester?"

My mouth falls open in shock, but I almost immediately snap it shut in rage. "We are not married," I growl at him, getting to my feet as I point my finger into his face. "And if you think I'm not going to fight with you about this every minute for four months, you're dead wrong."

With that I storm out of the dining room, and through the kitchen. I hear Kent call my name but I don't turn around as I head out of the house, absolutely livid. I keep walking, my feet slapping against the cold stone terrace, and then the cement around the pool, and then grass, and then a little bit of gravel as I come to the edge of the house's property so that all that stretches out before me is a field and then the sea beyond.

 

Chapter 257

I take a deep breath, confused about whether I want to indulge my rage or quell it.

Because that really, really pissed me off. How dare he use my pregnancy as a reason to keep me out of this? As if I'm some kind of time bomb that's going to go off in the middle of his heist and ruin all his plans. Pregnant or not, I'm perfectly capable of deciding what it is that I can and cannot do who the hell is he to make this choice for me!?

And also! If it's safety that's at risk, why does he get to put his life and his freedom on the line when I can't? We're both going to be parents at the end of this road - but I've got to keep myself safe?!

Even as these thoughts run through my head I'm aware of the flaws in them. But I don't let myself address those, not yet. Instead, I just stew in my anger, staring out at the sea for a long, long while.

I don't know how much time passes before a figure comes up on my right, slipping a blanket around my shoulders. I pull it around myself, surprised into awareness of how cold I was simply because it's so warm around me, but then as I look up to see who gave it to me I narrow my eyes and wish I'd pushed it away.

Because it's not Daniel, who I expected. It's Kent.

"Still mad?" he asks, slipping his hands into his pockets.

"If I wasn't freezing I'd throw this blanket into the ocean just to spite you."

"Don't do that," he sighs. "It's merino wool. It would be a shame to lose it to the sea."

"Why are you doing this to me?" I snap, spinning to glare at him. "Kent! I want to help! I can't believe you're cutting me out of what is essentially my deal - I'm the one who got this on the table!"

"I'm not cutting you out," he replies, glaring at me just a little, and I can tell he's holding back for the sake of mending fences. "I'm just letting you know, upfront, that there's no way I'm letting you on the front lines of this heist when you're days away from having a baby!"

"Pregnant people can do plenty of things," I counter, losing my temper and opening my mouth to list them. But Kent cuts me off.

"You can't even get on a plane at that point," he growls. "How would you even get to Monaco?"

"Oh please," I reply, narrowing my eyes at him. "Like you'd fly commercial for this."

Kent shrugs, conceding the point that whatever our entrance and exit to Monaco would be, we'll certainly be chartering private transport for the sake of discretion.

"I need you, Fay," Kent says, stepping forward and reaching for my face, though I flinch back. He sighs and lets his hand drop. "I need you in every step of planning this. The way you got me out of prison and then out of America - it was brilliant. You've demonstrated that you're a master strategist with an incredible capacity to put your plans in motion. I need that."

I shake my head at him, not buying it. "All this flattery," I say softly, staring at him with suspicion. "And yet, I hear a 'but' coming."

"But," he says, tilting his head and conceding the point. "One, you are not good on the spot," he says, holding up one finger.

My mouth falls open in protest and I step forward, ready to defend myself, but he just continues.

"And two," he glares at me, "you will be more pregnant than you think you will be at nearly nine months pregnant, Fay. You'll draw eyes wherever you go, and you will be miserable on your feet. This is not me underestimating you, this is me assessing the reality of the situation. We will have to move fast, and change plans on the dime, and maybe even have to run. You will not be able to do that."

I sigh sharply through my nose, considering that at least the second point might be right.

"Why do you say that I'm bad on the spot?" I ask, my feelings a little hurt alongside my confusion.

"Fay," he sighs, stepping closer, and I let him this time. Kent wraps an arm around me and puts a finger under my chin, tilting my face up to his. "You are good at so many things, but you were very wise to send Jerome out to get me while you waited on that boat." "I didn't just wait on that boat," I growl. "I had a very full morning, if you'll remember."

"A perfectly orchestrated morning," Kent replies, raising his eyebrows at me. "Every moment, practically every bite was planned. You had Fiona out doing all the unpredictable work while you and Daniel walked in and out of that house in half an hour." I shake my head, defensive - because it was so much more complicated than that -

"I'm not insulting you," he says softly. "It was brilliant, and maybe without recognizing it, Fay, you played to your strengths. You are good at putting together the complicated plan, but you didn't put yourself on the front line for a reason. You don't want to have to make snap decisions, you don't want to be the one pulling triggers."

"Even if you say it's not, this sounds like an insult, Kent," I say, hating him a little bit for just this moment. "These all sound like very admirable traits that you have."

He shakes his head slowly. "Any idiot can be on the front lines muscling their way through," he says quietly. "A very rare few stay in the background and pull the strings. That's what Bianci does. That's what you do."

"And you?" I ask, raising a single eyebrow at him. "Sounds like you flatter yourself as both."

He shakes his head at me. "You're better at this than me, Fay," he says quietly. "I just have more experience."

"Flattery," I say, rolling my eyes.

"It's not," he insists, tightening his fingers on my chin and making me look at him. "I built industries in America and ran a gang for a long time, but it landed me in jail. I got outwitted by Alden and Ivan of all people. Bianci would have seen that from miles away. You would have seen that from miles away."

"Yeah, but I didn't see it -"

"Because I didn't let you," he snaps before sighing and dropping his hand now, looking out at the sea and looking, of all things, ashamed of himself. "I treated you like a pet and a mistress for months, even when I knew what you were. And you told me - over and over again - that Ivan was telling you that something was going down. And I didn't listen. If I had treated you like an equal, explained things, let you turn your mind to it?" He shakes his head. "It would have all turned out different." "Well, then why won't you do that now?"

"I am letting you do that now," he says, turning to look at me again. "Fay, if you weren't pregnant when this is slated to go down, I'd have you in Monaco by my side. But that's not our reality right now."

"Convenient," I say, my tone dry. "Considering that you picked the timeline."

"You want to move it back?" he asks, looking at me with genuine interest. "Because Bianci said eight months - if you want to do this when we have a four-month-old at home -"

"No," I sigh, shaking my head and pulling my blanket tighter around myself, gritting my teeth. "You're right. I want it done before the baby comes. Can we make it even sooner?"

"We can try," he says, reaching out a hand for me. "If there's a way to get it done sooner...we can think about that. But planning something like this takes time, Fay," he shakes his head. "You know that. We have a lot to learn."

"I'm aware," I say, my voice dry as I slip a hand into his. I pull Kent closer to me and he willingly moves to my side as I look up at him. "I'm not agreeing to this, Kent. I'm still going to fight you on it - if there's a way for me to be helpful there and not a hindrance, I'm going."

"Okay," he says quietly, nodding to me, though I see him fighting a smile. Because he knows he's won.

"Stupid baby," I sigh, looking down at my stomach and running a hand over it. "Getting in the way of all my plans."

"Don't call the baby stupid, love," Kent murmurs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pressing a kiss to my head. "Remember, we like the baby."

"Well, this baby had better be cute," I mutter, frustrated.

"We'll like this baby even if it's really ugly," Kent sighs, his voice happy. "Because then it will develop a great personality to compensate."

"What would you know about that," I snap, turning my face up to glare at him. "You've been gorgeous your whole life."

"I know," he says with a grin, tugging me back towards the house. "It's great. I'm boring as hell, and people still want to hang out with me."

"You can hang out with me, baby," I whisper falsely towards my stomach. "Not with this boring, arrogant idiot who calls himself your dad -"

Kent bursts into laughter and I can't help smiling a little myself, even if I am still disappointed.

Because, well, even if being pregnant does get in the way?

I've still got a heist to plan with Kent at my side this time. And I'm going to enjoy the hell out of that. Quietly I take his hand and squeeze it, and he squeezes it right back. Because this time, finally, we're in it together.

 

Chapter 258

The next few months pass more quickly than I thought they would.

Kent and I spend pretty much every minute together, which I thought would get on my nerves but...

Well. We get along really well, especially when we're working on a project together like this. I wake up every morning flooded with ideas, telling Kent all about them over coffee and breakfast while our family moves in and out of the room. Every day we spend some time outside - going for a long walk or to see the horses - before we move to the second guest room shortly after that, which we've commandeered as our planning space. I grin as I look around it now, half pleased and half disturbed by how closely it matches the plans of a serial killer. But, well. At least it means we're thorough.

"Did you hear from Janeen?" Kent asks, leaning over a printed set of the travel plans to ensure that the plane tickets match up with the false ID's he's acquired. "Did she settle in at the casino?"

"She didn't text me back," I say a little absently, groaning as I run a hand over my thirty-eight-week-pregnant belly, where the baby has just given my rib a sharp kick. "I'll text her and tell her to get out of whoever's bed she's in."

"You all right?" Kent asks, and I look up to see him looking me up and down, worried.

"I'm fine," I reply, laughing a little concern and pressing a hand to my lower back. "Baby's just feeling violent today. Wants to go to Monaco and kick a*s with daddy."

Kent smirks and shakes his head, looking back at the paperwork. "No babies in Monaco," he sighs.

"Unless Janeen's conceiving one right now," I mutter. And then I sigh, because I feel a little bad for her. Over the past couple of months she's fallen hard for Gio, but he has been freezing her out completely. He's been a good friend to her - to all of us - but anything romantic she tries? He shuts it down in a second in the a very cool, very casual, very Italian way he has.

So when we sent her to Monaco a few days ago to start undercover as a cocktail waitress in the casino? Let's just say that she's been treating it half as work, half as spring break, working out her Gio frustrations with as many Monegasques as she can. And I, for one, am glad she's enjoying herself, even if it's stressing Kent out that she doesn't reply to our texts until 3 pm.

Gio, for his part, has been spending most of his time with me and Kent in this room planning, which has kept him away from Janeen's pining. Sometimes I watch him, though, and wonder if he knows how much she likes him - but he gives no hints. Janeen aside, though, it's been very useful having a criminal mastermind who doubles as a doctor who can talk Kent down when he gets all worked up about me being in my third trimester.

Which he does...way too often.Kent and I both look up when hear a tap on the door and I smile when I see Daniel standing there. "Everything coming together?" he asks, strolling casually into the room and looking over our paperwork.

Daniel's been amazing these past couple months, responding with alacrity whenever Kent or I ask him to do anything but mostly letting us take the reins. Honestly, I think that's how he prefers it. He and Jerome spend the majority of their time keeping the house cozy for all of us while Kent and I devote our singular attention to the heist.

About two months ago, they threw us the most amazing Christmas I've ever seen, and they managed to keep it all a surprise, only bringing in the tree and the presents and the decorations at the last minute. I basically cried my eyes out the whole time I was so touched, which made Daniel roll his eyes at me a lot, but...well, what did he expect? He knows how sentimental I can be.

It's been difficult, being so consumed by this plan and not being able to concentrate on the things I'd otherwise concentrate on - like seeing Italy, or enjoying being pregnant. But...well, if this gets Kent out of his obligations to the Bianci's? I guess I've got my whole life to do those things.

Except the pregnancy bit. That's ending soon, thank god. I have not enjoyed my third trimester, and these past two weeks have been incredibly uncomfortable. The sooner this baby comes, the better. Well. As long as it waits until after Kent and my family get safely back from Monaco. But they're leaving in two days, and they'll be back two days after that, so I think I'll hold out.

Or at least, I hope I will.

"It's all coming together on paper," Kent says, sighing as he stands up straight and looks evenly at his son. "Which is all well and good until it all goes to shit day-of."

"Stop cursing it, Kent," I sigh, glaring at him a little. "It's going to go beautifully. Don't get your negative vibes all over the pretty plans," I say, lovingly touching the papers so artfully pinned to the walls. He mutters something but Daniel grins at me and I wrinkle my nose at him.

"What's up, Dan," Kent asks, turning to look at something else, having no real time or patience for anything extraneous this close to the launch date.

"Jerome and I are going to town for groceries," Daniel says with a little shrug. "We wanted to see if Fay wanted to come."

"Ohhh!" I gasp, clasping my hands under my chin. "Yes yes yes! Let me just get my bag -"

I dash for the door but Kent puts out a hand, touching me lightly on the arm. "Fay," he says, his eyes worried as he glances over me. "Are you sure -"

"Kent!" I almost shout, frustrated. "You're so worried that I'll go into labor that you won't let me go to town, but you're not so worried that you'll go to Monaco for four days?" I roll my eyes at his hypocrisy.

Kent's lips tighten and he shakes his head at me. "I just think you're safer here," he says, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Why risk it? Why risk anything?"

"Because it's not a risk," I say, my shoulders slumping. "Kent, I haven't been off the property in a week - I am dying to see something besides this incredibly beautiful house and your incredibly beautiful face. Please?" I ask, stepping close and pressing my hands to his chest as I look up at him. "Don't be mad at me if I leave for one hour?"

He narrows his eyes. "One. Hour," he growls. Then he raises his eyes to glare at Daniel next. "One hour."

I give a little squeal and step on my tiptoes to kiss Kent on the cheek before scurrying out of the room after Daniel. I move quickly, dropping a little kiss on my dad's cheek as he watches American sports on the big-screen TV we had installed for him. He waves me off fondly, his eyes fixed on the screen. Then I slip on a pair of flat loafers by the door and sling my little purse over my shoulder, practically jumping with excitement.

"Geeze, Fay," Jerome says, laughing as he comes to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Don't be too excited - it's just groceries."

"It's not just groceries," Daniel says, laughing and grabbing the keys to our silver BMW. "It's breaking her house arrest."

"Oh, Kent's just overprotective because I'm about to pop," I say, rolling my eyes and pulling the door open, stepping happily into the sunshine and turning my face up towards it.

"You'd better hope that's true," Jerome laughs, slinging an arm around my shoulder as we walk to the car. "What if this is just...who he is now? Your overprotective Mafia don boyfriend, keeping you barefoot and pregnant, locked in the house for the rest of your life?" "One, he's still buying me shoes, so I don't think the barefoot thing is going to happen," I say, climbing into the back seat. "And two, he's getting a second vasectomy the same day I give birth, because we are not doing surprise baby ever again." Daniel laughs as he climbs into the driver's seat and starts the car, Jerome buckling his seatbelt on the passenger side. "The first vasectomy one didn't take, what makes you think the second one will? Lippert sperm is just...very virile, Fay."

"Oh, really?" I ask, sarcastic. "The all-powerful Lippert s***m is to blame here? Well then, Jerome, when are you due?"

Jerome bursts out laughing as Daniel grins, shaking his head as he pulls down the drive towards our gate.

I relish every minute that we're outside of the house. It's not that I don't enjoy our gorgeous home, or all the time that I get to spend with Kent working on an elaborate high-stakes puzzle -

But, well, it's Sicily. And it's gorgeous, and charming, and I've spent very little time taking in the sights and actually enjoying myself here. And it's all so, so close - honestly, just a few more days, and Kent will be free!

And soon we'll have the little baby, and we'll just live...a really happy little life.

At least, that's the plan - and I, unlike Kent, prefer not to consider any unhappy alternatives that could get in the way.

Kent really did pick a pretty little town for us to live near, too. Daniel, Jerome, Janeen, and Gio go in frequently at night to the few little bars that scatter the streets - and of course I'm always invited. But, well, I'm in mafia mode, and mommy mode too - usually I'm busy planning, or exhausted from planning, and the idea of sitting around jealousy watching my friends have fun getting drunk doesn't appeal. So instead I just stay curled up with Kent, reading or watching something mindless on TV, passively turning over the details of our heist in my head so that I can get everything...just perfect.

I'm very much looking forward to the day when I can toss this baby at my dad, who loves little kids, and drag Kent out with me to these bars with my sister and my friends - but until then? There is something nice about quiet nights at home. But as we drive down the cobblestone streets of our little town and I look at all the charming brightly colored buildings, my smile and my anticipation grows. Because soon I'll be able to go out here, and also take my little baby on strolls. Soon - it's all going to happen so soon!

 

 

Chapter 259

Unfortunately, our little errand today is a short one. I look longingly at the little coffee shop down the street, considering making Daniel and Jerome go for a quick espresso with me, but...

Well, Kent was serious about one hour, and if I'm not back he will get worried and come looking for me. I roll my eyes at how annoying he's being as Daniel parks the car and we all climb out, starting start into the charming little grocery store at the edge of town. I breathe deeply as I grab a basket and start to wander the aisles, staring at all the products labeled in Italian that contain...I have no idea what. I smile to myself, making a mental note to start learning Italian more diligently soon, because I think it looks like we're going to settle here and I want to be able to shop in the market by myself and not just buy a bunch of mystery items.

Daniel and Jerome move more purposefully through the store, gathering what we need for dinner tonight as well as what I'll need to stock the house with while they're all gone for a few days. They don't give me a list of any items to put in my basket, though, instead allowing me to just enjoy myself.

I pout a little as I wander down the aisle with row after row of wine, and then I feel a sharp twinge low in my stomach that makes me huff out a breath, my hand pressing low there until it passes.

"Oh, little baby," I sigh, rubbing my belly and shaking my head down at my tiny friend, big as a mini watermelon now. "Go easy on mom."

A contrary little kick comes next, making me laugh. "You telling me something, baby?" I ask, and then I look up and grin as I look at the wine. "You want a nice bottle of wine, baby?"

The baby kicks again, almost in confirmation, making me laugh harder. But I just shrug and think...why not? And so I start to fill my empty basket with whatever I want.

All the things I've been denied my whole pregnancy go into it - a couple of dusty bottles of red wine, and that bottle of fancy champagne that Kent promised me, and then I move to the cheese aisle and start stocking up on all of the unpasteurized soft cheese, and the delicious cured meats, and a bunch of crackers and bread to go along with it. I toss a can of tunafish on top, even though I don't really like it.

I just want it because I can't have it.

Daniel laughs at me as I carry my heavy haul to the counter, where the cashier is checking out our fairly massive amount of groceries. "What's all this?" he asks, and then he laughs and shakes his head at me. "Fay! You can't eat any of this!"

"So what? Kent's paying for it, and I want it." I'm stubborn now, as well as gleeful. Also, I'm rich for the next couple days until I turn my companies over to Bianci in addition to the proceeds of the heist. Why shouldn't I get what I want?

I plop the whole basket on the counter, determined. "Do you think they have Aperol?" I ask, looking around. "I want a spritz -"

"Fay," Jerome says, looking over at my selection. "Half of this is going to go bad by the time you have the baby."

But I just shrug, not caring, and...

Well."Wait," Daniel says, reading me openly. "Wait, Fay, do you...do you know something?"

"I don't know anything," I say cagily, looking away so he won't see the smile on his face.

"Seriously, Fay," Daniel says, spinning me so that I look at him, his words worried and sounding a lot like his dad now. "Do you - is something happening? Are you going to -"

"Oh, nothing's happening," I say, knocking his hands off my shoulders and cupping my hands beneath by belly to support it. "I'm just having some...pains. But Gio says they're Braxton hicks - fake contractions! It's just getting me excited," I say, giving a little shrug. "Just let me have the cheese, okay? If I don't have the baby by the time the cheese goes bad I'll make dad eat it!"

"Fay," Daniel sighs, looking me over worriedly and lecturing me on safety, but suddenly the woman behind the counter laughs and waves her hands at me, smiling and shaking her head at him. "What did she say?" I ask, grinning at Daniel.

He laughs too, heaving the sigh. "She said to let you have the cheese if you want the cheese - that we shouldn't say no to you when you're so pregnant. Fine, fine! Whatever pregnant Fay wants."

"Damn straight," I say, smiling as I stand on my toes to kiss him on the cheek. I do the same to Jerome before giving my benefactress behind the counter a happy smile. She nods to me warmly and continues to ring up the groceries, putting them in the canvas bags that Daniel brought with us.

I sigh, content, and move to the window to look out at what I can see of the little town. But as I peer, the most wonderful sight catches my eyes.

"Oh!" I say, clutching my hands to my chest in delight. "Daniel, Jerome! There's a farmer across the street, and he brought his puppies to sell at the little road-side stand!"

"Noooo," Daniel groans, freezing and looking at me. "No, Fay! Do not go look at those puppies - we are not -"

"Puppies!?" Jerome gasps, darting immediately to my side, ignoring Daniel as much as I am.

"We are not getting a puppy!" Daniel calls to us.

"Loooook," I coo, pointing at them and trying to get a better look. "What kind are they? Can you see?"

"I think they're German Shepherds," Jerome says, his face as happy as mine. "Oh man, and they're so little -"

"We are not getting a puppy!" Daniel insists again, snapping at us now. The woman behind the counter starts to laugh at him again.

"We're not!" I say, turning to him with a big smile. "We're just admiring them Daniel, come on. Enjoy the beauty of life for a moment."

"You've have enough beauty of life today, Fay," Daniel grumbles, "you got your cheese. Dad was right - we shouldn't have taken you out of the house -"

"I'm going to go look," I say, skipping for the door.

"No!" Daniel protests.

Jerome moves with me.

"Jerome!" Daniel barks, and his boyfriend turns with a sigh. "Seriously, Jerome," Daniel says, his voice incredulous, "you're going to leave me with all of these bags? Get back here."

"I'll come over when the bags are in the car," Jerome whispers to me. "Pick a good one."

"Do not pick anything, Fay!" Daniel shouts.

"I won't!" I call over my shoulder as I press the door open and start to dart across the road, looking both ways before I cross so I don't get hit by a car in my excitement. See? I can be careful.

I really a have no intention of getting a puppy - I know that I have a baby coming soon and that a baby and a puppy at once will be a disaster.

Plus, Kent will kill me. So, no puppy today.

At least...unless one is really, really cute...

I hurry right to the farmer, who gives me a big smile as I come up to his stand, greeting me warmly in Italian. I press my hands to my chest and shake my head apologetically, saying the phrase that Kent taught me - "Mi dispiace, non parlo Italiano" - as sadly as I can. The farmer nods understandingly, still smiling, and when I eagerly point to the puppies he nods, giving me permission to explore.

"Ohhhh," I say, leaning over their little pen and gasping with delight when they press their little dark snouts against my hand, yipping and jumping excitedly, trying to get to me. "Oh, they are so cute!"

I laugh as I pet as many of them as possible, smiling over at the gorgeous German Shepherd that sits elegantly in the pen with them. She must be their mother.

"Bellisima," I say, smiling at the farmer and pointing to the mommy dog. He laughs and nods, saying the word back to me and watching with pleasure as I admire his puppies.

One sits alone at the back of the pen, watching curiously and peering at me around its siblings, but a little too shy to come forward. Obviously, my heart instantly breaks.

"Hey, little guy!" I coo, moving to the back of the pen to pet his precious little head. He peers up at me with big dark eyes, turning his head a little at the sound of my voice. "Ohhh, you're trouble," I laugh, scratching him a little.

The farmer comes close, lifting the tiny puppy up and placing him in my arms. My heart instantly melts as I cuddle him close, pressing my face to his soft puppy fur.

My mind is absolutely made up the moment he sticks out his little puppy tongue and gently, tentatively licks my cheek.

"Put the dog down, Fay!" Daniel yells from across the street, his voice frustrated and entertained at once as he and Jerome load up the groceries into the trunk of our car. He shakes his head like he knew this was going to happen.

"But look at him!" I laugh, carrying him around to the front of the pen. "How can I leave him here all alone!?"

"He has eight siblings Fay - he's not alone!" Daniel puts his hands on his hips as he turns to me, shaking his head.

"But he loves me!" I call back, laughing as the puppy licks me again, more eagerly this time. "I can't -"

But I don't get to say any more because a white van on the road drives between us. Smiling, I close my mouth, waiting for it to pass.

But it doesn't. My face falls as the van screeches to a stop three feet from me and, lightning fast, the side door rolls open.

My eyes go wide as I gasp because, too fast for me to think, hands are reaching out and grabbing me - pulling me hard forward. I shout - and then scream before a hand slaps over my mouth as I try to turn. My kidnapper hauls me backwards into the van, the puppy still clutched in my arms.

My arms tighten around the poor animal who lets out a whine of fear or pain - but it's too late - I kick, and bite, and scream against the hand pressed to my mouth -

But I'm yanked sharply backwards across the floor of the van.

And the door rolls shut in front of me before the van lurches forward, flying down the road.

"God damn it, Fay! Stop f*****g biting me!" A voice says behind me.

I instantly go still.

Because I know that voice - know it well.

I turn, shocked, to look right into Ivan's face.

 

Chapter 260

I bite Ivan one last time for good measure and he snaps a curse, whipping his hand from my mouth. Instantly I scurry away from him, rocking a little in the unbalance van that's flying down the road - going even faster than Italians usually drive, which is saying "What the f**k, Ivan!?" I gasp, staring at him in appalled shock.

something.

What even-

How-

I just stare at him, shaking my head, struggling to comprehend the sight of him here - in front of me - in Italy - in a van into which he just pulled me - kidnapping me -

"Surprised to see me, Fay?" he asks, rubbing at his hand and glaring at me from his spot sitting on the floor of the empty delivery van.

"You jackass," I growl, suddenly getting very pissed and scooting forward - the puppy still in my arms - and delivering a sharp kick to his thigh.

"Ow!" he shouts.

I kick him again, harder.

"Fay! Fucking stop!"

"No!" I shout, leaning forward and starting to smack him. "You kidnapped me! And I'm pregnant - like very pregnant! You could have hurt the baby!"

Ivan covers his head as I rain blows on him. "Ow! Fuck, Fay! Stop it!"

"Let me out!"

Ivan gets over his pain and surprise and grabs my wrist, twisting it a little so that I gasp and do as he says, stopping.

"I'm not letting you out," he growls. "You're coming with me. We have business to attend to."

I just shake my head at him, knowing that even if he lets my wrist go I'm completely at his mercy. God damn it, Kent should have taught me how to use a gun. Or a knife. Or something. But instead all I've got is this puppy- Suddenly I gasp, looking down at it.

"Oh my god," I say, looking into the dog's big brown eyes. "Oh, poor thing! You made me steal him away from his family!"

"You could have dropped it," Ivan grumbles.

"In the street!?" I glare at him, again appalled, and yank my wrist out of his hand, using my feet to push myself backwards away from him until my back is pressed up against the wall of the van. I wrap my arms around the puppy who gives an anxious little whine. His feet scramble a little in his very reasonable fear and so I do my best to comfort him, stroking his little head while I glare daggers at my ex.

He glares right back at me, clearly not feeling any guilt at all.

Except, his face changes after a long moment, and his eyes drift down to my stomach. "Seriously, though, are you all right? I didn't hurt -"

"You did," I snap. "I'm dying. Pull over the van, let me out."

He raises his eyes and glares at me again, any sympathy gone.

"I'm having the baby right now," I say dryly. "You have to take me back."

"Stop fucking around," he growls, shaking his head at me. "You need to take this seriously, Fay -"

"How can I take this seriously!?" I break in, leaning forward to glare at him. "My jealous ex just came and snatched me off the side of the road - it's like something out of a Mexican soap opera -"

"I'm not your ex!" he shouts, sitting up straight, looking horrified at the notion.

"Oh whatever," I say, leaning my shoulders back against the van wall and shaking my head at him. "You wish you were."

"Enough," he says, slicing a hand through the air, clearly pissed that I'm not trembling and begging him for my freedom, or however he expected me to act.

"No!" I shout, not even knowing what I'm objecting to anymore - just wanting to be contrary.

"Fay!" Ivan yells back, leaning forward, clearly pissed at me. "I'm taking you -"

"You're not taking me anywhere!" I cut in. After everything I've been though these past months, absolutely no part of me is scared of him anymore. He may have pulled some fast ones on us before, but I have been learning these past few months and Kent's initial assessment of Ivan? It was right.

Ivan's young, and he's bitter, and he's out for vengeance, all of which cloud his judgment. He's clever, but he's green.

"I'm in charge here," Ivan growls at me, pointing to his chest, and I smirk a little. Because anyone who is actually in charge? They don't have to remind the people they're trying to control. "And you have no recourse, and you're not getting out of this van except where I want you to, and when I want you to."

My scowl deepens now because on that he's right. Bodily, he does have me under his control. So, I've got to play his game for a while.

But...I can't help getting one last dig in first.

"Fine," I say, raising an eyebrow and shrugging. "But wherever you take me, Kent's going to find you, Ivan. And he's going to rip you to shreds."

"We'll see about that," Ivan says, leaning back against the wall perpendicular to mine and resting his arms on his knees, glaring over at me.

We're both silent for a long moment as I look down at my puppy and pet his sad little head. Poor thing, I think my heart wrenching for him. Because this is not a very good first day away from his mom, is it? I fold my legs and settle him into my lap, trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

"I can't believe you're worried about the puppy," Ivan murmurs, and when I look up at him he's shaking his head at me.

"Some of us have hearts, Ivan," I murmur.

"Really, Fay?" he says, his voice dry as he raises his eyebrows at me. "After what you did to your father? After what you did to me? You can seriously still claim to have a heart?"

"One, I have no idea what you're talking about. And two, you both," I say, pointing an accusing finger right at his face, "betrayed me first. So, get your shit straight there, Ivan. It's not my fault you underestimated my capacity for vengeance."

"And what did you think?" he asks, tilting his head at me. "I was just going to roll over and let you get away with it?"

"If you were smart you would have," I counter. "What does it even matter, Ivan? It's an eye for an eye - you betrayed me, I betrayed you. We're even. Why can't you just let me run away and hide, live my life in peace?"

"Because," he growls. "You stole my vengeance from under my nose, Fay. Lippert was the thing I wanted, and you took him."

"You don't have any proof of that," I sigh, blinking lightly at him. "I just got lucky - was wandering the streets of Sicily and then poof! There he was." I let a sarcastic little smile find my lips. "Like magic."

"Bullshit," he growls. I just shrug. He's not getting any confessions out of me - a*****e is probably wearing a wire anyway. I'm not stupid enough to say anything real.

We ride for a long moment in silence, kind of at a stalemate.

"So, what do we do, Fay Lippert?" he asks on a sharp little sigh.

"I don't know, Ivan Kaminski," I reply, my voice cold. "It's your kidnapping. What do you have planned?"

"I'll tell you," he says, "but first you have to agree to be compliant. This isn't going to work if you keep being such a bitch."

"Oh, spare me the insults, Ivan," I sigh, rolling my eyes at him. "Why would I do anything you want me to do?"

"Because," he says, leaning forward and looking at me evenly. "I have every intention of taking you back to your stupid little villa tonight. But for that to happen, you have to do what I say."

I study him, doing my best to discern if he's lying. I curse inwardly, wishing I'd mined Gio for more tips and tricks on this - he's way better at reading people than I am. But then slowly I nod, because what's the alternative? Just rolling around in this van all day, yelling at each other?

"Fine," I snap, lifting my chin like the mafia donna I am. "Where are you taking me?"

"To see someone very important," Ivan replies. "Who has quite an offer to lay at your feet."

I raise my eyebrows, intrigued.