Vows of Conviction (The Sovrano Mafia Empire #8)

Chapter 1

Francesca

Giselle's terrified voice rang out into the dark kitchen.

It scared me so much that I retreated further around the corner like a coward. Carlo and Eve scrambled at the noise. If they saw me run to Giselle from here—they'd know I was watching them.

“Christ, what's wrong?” Carlo's voice boomed. I heard water splashing and the sounds of wet footsteps.

My heart was beating overtime, and I was struggling to catch my breath. I had to think quickly. What should I do?

I didn't want them to know I was here. But I also wanted to help Giselle.

I took off down the hallway and literally ran all the way down and around until I found the living room. For only a moment, I leaned against the wall, watching all around me to see if anyone was around.

It looked clear.

So, I raced off into the foyer, past the staircase, and into the dining room. The kitchen lights blazed through the doorway as I heard a flurry of noise pouring out from that direction.

“What's going on?” I panted, taking in my surroundings. Carlo was dripping wet in his swim trunks—puddles of water around him.

Eve was less wet—her bikini top covered only the bare minimum.

And the scrap of cloth—or more like dental floss—that passed as bikini bottoms covered almost nothing.

I didn't fault her. Not one bit. Eve's body was phenomenal.

The bikini—no matter how tiny—looked amazing on her. I was sure Carlo felt the same way.

“It's the baby,” Giselle sobbed uncontrollably. “I can't feel any movement. And I'm having contractions.” Her hands clutched at her large, round belly.

“Okay,” I said, trying to get a hold of myself. “Have you had any spotting? Or any fluid leaking?” I'd worked briefly on the labor and delivery unit back home. A lot of it stuck with me.

Giselle shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”

I gave her a small smile. “Okay, that's good,” I tried to reassure her. “And have you timed your contractions? How far apart are they?”

She thought about it for a moment and then shook her head. “I—I'm not sure. I was just—”

I smiled again and took her arm. “No problem.

Tell us the next time one starts, and we'll time them for you.

Let's get you on a couch. Come with me.” I started guiding her out of the kitchen.

“Oh, and Eve? Can you bring her a glass of ice water? And an ice pop, too, please?” I figured that might give the woman time to put some clothes on.

And Carlo could—

Well, Carlo could sit on a very large cactus for all I cared. Right now, I needed to get Giselle settled so I could assess her a little better.

After I helped her get as comfortable as possible, I found some paper and a pen.

“I marked down the time. Let's keep track of the movements you feel, okay?” I instructed her like I had many times for the patients I'd dealt with.

Eve showed up—still in her tiny bikini—with the water and ice pop.

And Carlo arrived with—pants. And a T-shirt.

Anyway, I really, really, really hoped the combination of the ice and sugar would wake the baby up to reassure Giselle.

I excused myself, and said I'd be right back.

Two steps out of the living room, Carlo grabbed my arm. “Francesca.”

I turned to him. The look of worry on his face hurt my heart. Even though he was a big dumb cheater—that didn't mean he loved his children any less. It just meant he loved his fiancée less.

Jerk.

“What?”

His eyes darted around, and it seemed like he was searching for words. “Is she going to be okay?” He barely got out. “Is the baby?” he whispered as his eyes became glassy.

Once again, he tugged at my stupid, stupid heart.

I treated him like I did any of the other concerned partners I had in the hospital.

I grabbed onto his big, huge hand with my other one, sandwiching it between my hands.

And in a gentle, quiet voice, I said, “We'll see how things are after she drinks and has the ice pop. Most of the time, that solves everything.” I gave him a small, reassuring smile—even though I wanted to kick him where it really, really, really hurt.

Then Carlo did something that surprised me. He pulled me into him and hugged me. “Thank fuck you're here, Francesca.” He held me like that for a full minute, at least. The scent of cherries and musk floated into my nose. Probably his and Eve's combined scent.

But the odd thing was—I—liked it.

No.

Not only did I like it—I was attracted to it.

Oh, my gosh. I had issues.

And being this close to Carlo—my breasts pressed tight to his chest—

Dammit.

I was definitely getting turned on.

This was so inappropriate.

“Go look after your fiancée. And your baby. I need to go change.” I pushed away from him, and he let me. Then his eyes dragged down my body. When I glanced down, I realized that Carlo was getting an eyeful.

“Crap,” I said, quickly pulling the sides of my untied robe over my exposed black, lacy, see-through—very, very, very see-through nightie.

I swear I heard Carlo chuckle softly as I rushed off and up the stairs.