Mafia's Broken Omega (Mated in the Mafia #6)

8. Avery

8

AVERY

Livin' the dream.

That's what I was doing since I quit dancing.

Big belly and all.

The belly wasn't actually that big yet, but it stuck out from my small frame. According to the little old ladies that stopped me on the street sometimes, I was carrying “all in the front.” Whatever that meant. All I knew was my balance was off and I felt like a whale. I couldn’t even imagine how I’d feel once I got into the final weeks.

I was just over five months along, and the little guy was a big mover. Some nights, when I finally relaxed with a glass of juice—my only vice now that cocktails were out of the question—I would use my phone to record my belly movements. I’d read about doing that in a pregnancy book and figured it was one of the things I could do for my child…since I couldn’t give him an alpha father.

When I placed my hand on my belly, the baby was quick to kick it like we were playing some sort of shadow game. And it was oddly reassuring. I liked knowing one part of my life was strong and healthy. It was more than I could say about any other aspect.

I had a simple existence, and I enjoyed it. Time passed quickly, so I couldn’t complain.

If I focused on my work and my baby, I didn't have time to lament over my loneliness.

At least not during the day. Nighttime was when things were bad. My dreams were relentless.

Apparently, thanks to the increase in hormones that came with pregnancy, sexy dreams were a symptom. No one had ever mentioned that before, and I was plagued with steamy fantasies about the alpha I could never have. Each one was hotter than the last, and I often woke up caked in sweat—another fun pregnancy symptom—with my hand wrapped around my cock.

Even with my belly in the way, I could still reach it even though I couldn’t see it all that well anymore.

"Sweet! This design turned out gorgeous, baby! It's gonna be a big seller." I rubbed my tummy as I admired my latest piece. The newly made T-shirt was laid out on the table to dry, and it came out better than I had expected. “Consider this the first installment of your college fund.”

I’d read that babies could recognize their parents' voices because they could hear and feel them from within the womb. Since I was alone most of the time, I tried to speak out loud as often as possible so my child would recognize my voice later.

Admittedly, I probably looked like a lunatic, but it was another thing that helped me pass the time. Since no one was around to see me anyway, I wasn’t disturbing anyone.

I kept in touch with a few of the dancers that I considered friends, but they hadn’t seen me since I left. I should have told them I was pregnant, but I couldn’t do it, so no one knew. I just couldn’t risk word getting back to Cord, especially since his cousin owned the club.

My business had taken off almost overnight when one of my designs was shared by an influencer. It had happened by luck, but ever since then, the orders had become almost too much for me to keep up with.

"We are all out of T-shirts, baby. It is time to go pick up our order from the store."

I could have had the shirts delivered, but that was an extra expense I didn’t need yet. While I was doing just fine with my business, I didn't get to where I was by being frivolous with my profits. I avoided extra costs wherever I could. All my supplies were delivered to the same store, and once a week, I made the trip out there to pick them up. It was also the only time I allowed myself to get take-out. All other food was prepared by me so I could save money…and I was a shitty cook.

"What sort of food are you craving today?” I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it. “And think cheap. Nothing crazy like sushi since that’s not allowed anyway. It’s just torture."

A big juicy burger with mushrooms and barbeque sauce would really hit the spot about now.

"All right, baby. Let's go. Time to stuff you into a pair of pants appropriate for the public."

Paternity leggings were a godsend. Since I did little outside of my apartment, I mostly wore shorts and my T-shirt designs while I was at home. That and fuzzy socks. I lived in fuzzy socks.

Once I was dressed and presentable, I grabbed my reusable tote bags and the foldable wheelie cart I used for transporting my goods back to my apartment and headed out.

After I quit the dancing business, I moved to a new apartment complex that was closer to the post office and the stores that sold my supplies. The slight increase in rent paid for itself with the cut in travel time.

The sun was warm on my skin. A hat would have been smart. Since starting my business—and having it take off quite quickly—I didn't get outside as much as I should. I tried to go for walks each day, but I didn't always succeed. Work came first, and naps were also important.

It didn't take long to get to the store. There I was quickly lost in the aisles, filling my cart with the supplies I'd need to keep me busy for the next week.

I was lost looking at the sale items, which was why my guard was down. I reached for a new set of fabric markers that were marked down, when an arm came around my neck and I was pulled against a broad chest.

I went to scream, but a grubby hand came over my mouth. Whoever held me was big and strong. I wasn’t going to fight my way out of this one.

"Quiet, Velvet. You make a sound and that brat you’re carrying won't see the light of day."

My attacker held out a knife for me to see. He moved it slowly until it was against my neck. The cool edge of the blade bit into my skin.

I stilled.

"What do you want?" I asked once his hand lifted from my lips.

I had done nothing. Hurt no one. This person clearly knew me from my previous life, but what did they want from me? I was no one.

"I have a message for Cord."

My heart thundered in my chest. The man's grip tightened and the cold metal pressed harder against my neck. I wanted to scream, to fight back, but my child's life was in my hands, and I would cooperate with anything he asked to keep my child safe.

"I haven't seen Cord in months."

"I know. We've been watching you. Both of you. You'll deliver the message and make him do what we say, or the next time we won't be letting you off so easy.”

"What's the message?" Tears threatened to fall, but I refused to let this asshole see me crumble.

"You tell Cord that he needs to end this little bromance he has with the Ferrinis. If they continue working together, you and your brat won't continue living. Do you understand?"

My jaw clenched. I fought the urge to move. “Yes.”

The man's grip tightened so much that my feet came off the ground. My breath cut off at my throat, and I struggled against his hold.

His breath was hot against my ear. "Tell him. We'll be watching you, Velvet."

With that he let me go and pushed me forward. I stumbled, catching myself on a nearby shelf. Merchandise fell over and some clattered onto the floor. When I turned around, he was gone. I had no way to identify him except that he was big and his breath was rank.

I stood there for a long moment. My heart was pounding wildly. I knew I had to go to Cord right now, but my feet were not cooperating.

"Can I help you find something?" A young man stood at the end of the aisle with a wide smile and a red apron indicating that he worked there. His name tag said "Ask me how I can help you today!!!" with extra exclamations points.

I didn't even know where to start. "No, thanks, I'm just browsing."

He gave me a lingering look before finally turning around and walking away.

A swift kick from my baby had me finally coming to my senses and moving. I pulled out my phone and ordered a car.

I'd be going straight to Cord's house. My supplies would have to wait.