Blame it on the shame Part 2

Chapter 10 (Lou-Lou)

 

My stomach rumbles and I dig in my purse for another ginger snap.

I take a few bites and pat my belly.

I called the clinic because I was worried after Luke's attack and asked for the earliest appointment they had.

Which, of course, happened to be at the butt-crack of dawn.

After sneaking out of the apartment and leaving Ricardo a note on his pillow—telling him I was going to the library, the doctor said all was fine with the baby but wanted me to have some more lab work done just to make sure.

Seeing as I was already out, and I knew Ricardo was at home still sleeping, I had time to sprint to the lab before he woke up.

Or at least, I thought I did.

I had every intention of making it back in a timely ma

I remembered reading that ginger snap cookies were supposed to be a good remedy to combat it, so I stopped by a store to buy a box.

So far, the baby seems to really be enjoying them.

I peel the a

That's when my phone begins vibrating and Ricardo's name flashes across the screen.

That's also when I see a black SUV out of the corner of my eye. The windows are all tinted and dread fills me.

Please, god don't let this be DeLuca.

I take my hand off my belly, slip my phone back in my purse, and tell myself to calm down.

I turn around and start walking down the street, all while saying a silent prayer the SUV doesn't follow me.

I'm seriously regretting my decision not to drive to the lab now.

I only walked because I heard exercise was good during pregnancy.

I blow out a breath and start walking faster. I'm only a few blocks from the apartment and if I pick up my pace, I can make it back to safety.

I would run, but that would only make it seem like I'm purposely ru

I would call Ricardo back, but seeing as DeLuca tracks my phone, that would be a bad move.

I already know it would seem awfully strange if I'm suddenly reaching out to Ricardo because I'm scared of DeLuca.

I have to play this smart and I have to be one step ahead of DeLuca. It's the only way to survive this.

Dammit. I really regret not telling Ricardo about the baby now. I almost did last night after we made love, considering he didn't use a condom and all, but the moment between us was so perfect.

Not to mention, I fell asleep right after.

Either way, I made up my mind to tell him today. Well, before this happened anyway.

The SUV is still following me closely but I'm only a block away from the apartment now.

And of course, this is the tricky part. I have to cross the street but the other side of said street is partially hidden by a large building.

So, if it is one of DeLuca's men...this is where they're going to make their move.

However, if I run like a bat out of hell...I can cut through an alley which the SUV won't be able to fit through and jet to the apartment.

I quickly scan my surroundings one last time before I make my move. I briefly contemplate staying out here in the open where there are people, but going back to the complex and back to Ricardo is the best plan.

The person in the SUV is toying with me now...but that won't stop them from becoming brazen and taking me in broad daylight.

And since DeLuca has the entire city eating out of his pocket...he'll get away with it.

I reach into my purse and toss another ginger snap in my mouth, hoping to calm the baby down.

I also dig out my keys because— fuck this. I'm not letting them hurt me or my baby...not without one hell of a fight.

I draw in another deep breath, finish the last cookie and toss the box into the nearest garbage can.

Don't worry, Thumper— I won't let anything happen to you. Mommy's got this.

I start ru

Then I hear heavy footsteps behind me.

I'm almost through the alley but a hand wraps around my mouth and an arm wraps around my waist.

The arm around my waist is what sends me into overdrive.

I dig my nails into their arm and I bite down hard on their hand, so hard that I know without a doubt they're bleeding.

"Fuck. Stop, Lucia

The voice sounds vaguely familiar but I can't worry about that now...because all I can concentrate on is that another person working for DeLuca knows about the baby.

He grabs my arm this time and turns me around.

"Emilio?" I question, feeling relieved and yet still a bit nervous.

Ricardo told me they're close and if I could trust any of DeLuca's men...it was him.

"H-how do you know?"

His shoulders slump and his green eyes fill with sadness. "Luke."

I close my eyes and fight the urge to collapse on the floor because if he knows, then DeLuca definitely knows.

And that explains why Emilio's following me in an SUV...he's here to kill me.

He takes in my expression and shakes his head. "DeLuca doesn't know about the baby." He pauses. "Yet."

I open my mouth but he holds up a hand, silencing me. "I don't have a lot of time. I can talk to you about everything after, but right now DeLuca needs to talk to you. He needs you to do something for him...he'll explain when you get inside the car and turn on the laptop."

I open my mouth to protest but he gives me a look that stops me in my tracks. "You're going to go along with whatever he says...because if you don't; he will hurt you."

He puts his hands on his hips and sighs. "However, there's something you need to know first." He pinches the bridge of his nose, his expression solemn. "He doesn't know about the baby— but Luke did tell DeLuca that you're cheating on him. He told him yesterday afternoon, right after Ricardo beat him up in the dressing room."

My hand flies to my mouth but his eyes turn hard. "Don't freak out. This is not the time to have a goddamn meltdown."

I stand up straight and try to relax...he's right. DeLuca might think I cheated but he still doesn't know about the baby.

That's what really matters.

"Anyway," Emilio says. "I told DeLuca that Luke was full of shit and I covered for you the best I could. I'm pretty sure he believes me. In other words, do not admit or apologize for anything. Pretend like everything is honky dory. And for fuck's sake...do whatever he says without protest. Got it?"

I nod and he leads me to the SUV.

I'm not sure if I can trust Emilio, but I don't see why he would go through all the trouble of warning me that Luke told DeLuca I was cheating on him if he wasn't on my side.

I climb in the backseat and flip open the laptop. It's strange that he didn't just call me on the phone but I know better than to question him about it right now.

Emilio presses a few buttons and a moment later, DeLuca's face appears before me.

I barely manage to suppress my shudder.

"Why the fuck were you ru