Chapter 41
“The world’s not gentle, Connie. But you weren’t made to break.”
— ROBERT MONROE
Constance
When we arrive back at the estate, Maximo walks with me through the silent house back to the bedroom.
“Trenton should be here soon, once the memorial wraps up. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.
Go get checked out by your doctor and visit with your friend.
Get your mind off of all this drama with my family.
I meant what I said earlier, Constance.” He pulls me close in a hug and kisses the top of my head. “I adore you.”
“I feel the same,” I admit as I pull his lips down to mine and kiss him. “Go get to work and I’ll see you soon.”
Maximo smiles sadly at me and then heads for his office. I retreat into the room we’ve been sharing and dig through the closet until I find a pair of jeans that I like, along with a pink sweater and a pair of knee-high boots.
I’ve been wearing dresses around Maximo most of the time, as everything in his world always seems so formal, and I wanted to match how well-dressed and put together he always appears.
My outfit today makes me feel more like myself, and I’m more comfortable.
Since I’m going into town it’s risky to carry the gun Maximo gave me, but I do tuck the switchblade knife he let me keep down into my boot.
I’ve started to find having a weapon on me brings me a sense of security.
It's still an hour until my appointment, but I know with the city traffic I’ll be lucky if I make it there on time.
I hustle back down the front steps a few moments later, only stopping briefly when a large man I recognize waves at me.
I think his name is Tony. He’s standing near one of the black Escalade’s in Maximo’s collection which is parked right beside my car.
I return his wave, then climb into the driver’s seat of my old Honda Accord.
When I do, I see Tony maneuvering his bulk into the Escalade parked beside me.
As soon as I drive away, he falls in behind me, obviously following my car.
At the first stop light I come to, I pick up my phone and send a quick text to Maximo.
Did you order one of your men to follow me?
Before the light can change, my phone dings with his reply: Yes
Just that single word, with no explanation.
I don’t need one, I suppose, as I understand his logic perfectly.
The last time I went out on my own I almost got myself kidnapped by Kirill Volkov at Monroe’s.
I appreciate Maximo’s concern, but at the same time I’m slightly offended that he thinks I need a babysitter and didn’t even discuss it with me.
I’m ready to give Tony a piece of my mind if he attempts to follow me into the doctor’s office, but fortunately, he just pulls into the parking deck and takes a spot near me.
He gives me a cheerful wave as I walk by him on my way to the elevator.
To him, tailing me is just Tuesday. To me, it feels like a leash.
Once I check in at the front desk, telling them the real reason for my appointment, it only takes a few minutes before a nurse calls me back and takes me for lab work.
Then, I can’t stop myself from fidgeting as I sit on the examination table waiting for the doctor to come in and go over the results of my urinalysis and blood panel.
When she knocks on the door and enters, my heart leaps into my throat.
“How are you feeling today, Ms. Monroe?” Dr. Wright asks me as she sits down by the computer and pulls up my chart.
“Nervous,” I admit.
“I understand that. And I can confirm that you’re definitely pregnant. It says here you also came by today to follow up on…a gunshot wound? Is that correct?”
“Yes,” I confirm as I pat at the gauze wrap on my upper arm. “You may have seen it on the news. It happened when Maximo Luciani was shot at during his press conference last week. A bullet got lodged in my arm, but it was extracted at the hospital, and I only ended up needing two stitches.”
“Well, let me take a look at it and see if the stitches are ready to come out.” Dr. Wright opens a drawer at the small desk and pulls a small pair of scissors.
She comes over to cut the gauze wrap off my arm, then inspects the wound.
“It looks good. If you want, I’ll go ahead and cut the stitches out. ”
“That would be great, thank you.”
“I’m concerned about the pattern of violence around you,” Dr. Wright continues as she snips the stitch with the scissors and pulls it out of my arm.
“Ms. Monroe, I’m not going to tell you how to live your life.
What I am going to do is refer you to an OBGYN and recommend that you start on a prenatal vitamin.
I’m also going to recommend that you stay away from situations where gunfire might break out in the future, for the sake of the child you’re carrying.
Also, before you leave, I need to ask you… Constance, do you feel safe?”
The blunt question sends a shiver of fear up my spine as I place a protective hand over my lower belly.
The truth is that I don’t know. I feel safe with Maximo, certainly, but I can’t deny that being around him is incredibly dangerous.
I glance down at the fresh, angry cuts and abrasions on my forearms before answering.
I lick at my dry lips and say, “I… I’m fine.”
“Well, if you need any assistance, or any resources for women who are trying to escape difficult situations, I want you to call or come by the office anytime. We’ll do everything we can to help you.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I tell her as I stand up from the exam table and gather up my purse.
“Be careful, Constance. The number for the OBGYN is in your paperwork, or you can even make an appointment with the front desk on your way out. Take care,” she adds as she opens the door to leave.
I don’t make any follow-up appointments as I leave the office.
My mind and stomach are in knots of anxiety as I try to decide what to do, and how to tell Maximo.
I know I’m falling in love with him, but I have no idea how he’ll react to my news.
What if he doesn’t want a baby, and he tries to push me for an abortion?
I shove that thought out of my head immediately.
That isn’t something I even want to consider right now.
I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, then walk back to the parking deck where Tony is waiting in his Escalade.
He fires up the engine as soon as he spots me and falls in behind me again as I drive away.
I ignore him and try to concentrate on clearing my head as I drive to the alley behind Monroe’s, where I always leave my car when I’m home.
I walk the last few blocks to Gino’s pizza with Tony driving along slowly nearby searching for a parking place at the curb.
Melissa is already inside waiting for me in a booth when I arrive. She’s easy to spot with her auburn hair. When she sees me, she stands up and waves me over, then wraps me up in a quick hug.
“God, it’s good to see you,” Melissa gushes. “I’ve been worried about you the last few weeks, ever since the funeral! You’ve barely texted. What have you been up to, besides getting shot? Come on, sit down and spill. I ordered a pitcher of beer.”
The waitress comes back with the pitcher and two mugs just as we sit down. I glance at the frosted glasses, then tell her, “Just a water for me, please.”
The woman nods and says, “I’ll be right back with that, and then get your order.”
“You’re turning down a beer?” Melissa teases me with a raised eyebrow. “What’s going on? Are you swearing off drinking after that night at the club? You did get pretty sick…”
I shake my head with a nervous laugh. “No, it’s not that. I wish I could have a drink, but that’s off the table for a few months because...I’m pregnant.”
Melissa’s mouth falls open in shock. “You’re fucking what? Pregnant? By whom? You didn’t even tell me you were dating anyone!”
“You know I’ve been spending a lot of time with Maximo. He wanted revenge for my dad as much as I did.”
“Yeah, you said that you were staying at his house for some reason. Constance, what the hell happened?”
“Well, he’s been helping. But he did stick one of his guards to me today which is annoying. Do you see that black Escalade over there?” I point through the window to where Tony’s parked up the street. “That’s one of Maximo’s men. I guess he’s following me to make sure I stay out of trouble.”
“Oh-kay…” Melissa draws the word out as she studies me. “Maximo Luciani is one of the richest people in New York. Why does he have ‘his men’ following you? Constance…is it his baby?”
My throat goes tight. Saying it out loud feels like choosing a side I’m not ready for.
I nod, then spill everything that’s happened the last few weeks in a gush of words.
“Yes, the baby is Maximo’s. He insisted I stay with him while he investigated the fire, and then.
..” I tell her everything, about the Volkovs, the raids, the gunfights.
I push up my sleeve without thinking, the thin scar catching her eye before I try to hide it.
Melissa looks at me in wide-eyed shock, speechless for once in her life. She continues staring at me in stunned silence until the waitress brings the pizza we ordered and presents it on the table between us. “Enjoy and let me know if you need anything else!” she says cheerfully.
Melissa takes a slice of pizza but just sets it on the plate in front of her.
She stares at me so long I wonder if I’ve broken her brain, before she finally says, “Connie, this is insane. Everyone thinks Maximo Luciani is just a businessman, but…” She lowers her voice and hisses, “You’re pregnant in what sounds like the middle of a mob war.
You’ve already been shot! What if next time… ”