Chapter 30

Courtney

I twisted my engagement ring around my finger as I waited for my shift to start. I can’t believe we’ve come this far. I was going to be the future Mrs. Vitale.
I glanced over and noticed Kade clenched his jaw glaring to the woman dancing on stage. So not only is she a waitress, but she’s also a dancer. Her blonde curls bounce as she graciously spins around the pole. As she twists around, she makes eye contact with him. He only gets angrier as the group of horny men cheers for her to take it off.
“Kade,” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “you need to take a break?”
“I’m fine.” He said through his teeth.
I knew he was far from fine. He was fuming as his eyes never left the stage. as the song Closer by NIN came to an end, she collected the bills covering the platform. She gathered them up and rushed backstage avoiding his heated gaze.
“On second thought, I think I do need a break.” He was already gone before I could protest. I just hope he doesn’t cause too much of a scene back there. This brings back so many memories when our relationship started out rocky. In the end, it all worked out just fine.
I smiled to myself remembering last night and how sweet Alec was. He wasn’t the cold and emotionless man everyone knows him to be. He was the sweet and caring man that made love to me in his bed.
As the night progresses, more people begin to show up. There’s more here tonight than I have ever seen before. Kade storms past the group of women nearly knocking them down. His chest is heaving up and down as he pours the shots in complete silence.
Who is she to him?
Ex-lover?
Sister?
“Who is she?” He freezes at the mention of the unknown woman.
“Just someone I used to know.” He spits out every word with pure hatred.
“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have…” I apologized, but he shook his head cutting me off.
“She,” He paused as if he was trying to find the right words. “was my girlfriend before I joined the military.”
“I’m telling you from experience. You should talk to Gio.” He shook his head.
“No, it’s okay. I can handle myself.”
“But if you need…” I tried to convince him.
“Please…I just can’t.” He looked to me with a painful expression. Whatever happened between them must have been bad.
The night came to an end and I turned to Kade. “Goodnight…I’m going to be off the rest of the week.” I flashed a smile holding up my ring. “I’m going dress shopping.”
He didn’t say anything but did manage to force a smile nodding his head. He knew who he would have to work with for the rest of the week. Her. I stepped outside and met Alec in the car. We sat in the backseat as the driver started his way back to the estate.
He kissed my neck whispering in my ear. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I leaned into his body giving him better access. “Do you know why Kade hates that woman that he’s constantly watching?”
“He doesn’t hate her. He hates that he left her to go to the military and now she’s a stripper.”
Now it all makes sense. They used to be together and then he joins the military. He left her behind and when he returns she’s an exotic dancer. He hates what she’s become, but at the same time is still madly in love with her.
As we make our way up the driveway, I begin to feel sick to my stomach. The car comes to a stop and I bolt out and make it to the bushes throwing up everything I’ve consumed. Alec rushes to my side holding my hair back.
“Baby let’s get you to bed.” He picks me up bridal style and carries me inside. He pushes the door open to his room and places me gently on the bed. As soon as I hit the pillow my eyes close. I guess I’ve just been working too hard.
As I open my eyes, Alec is sitting at the side of the bed with his head in his hands. I sat up rubbing my eyes as he raised his head. Worry and concern were written all over his face.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
My mind wandered off to the last time I had my period and it all added up. All the symptoms I’ve been experiencing in the past week. I thought it was just because of all the stress and drama that had gone on. I felt tired and dizzy. Then tonight my stomach churned and I threw up.
The fact was I might be pregnant.
How would Alec react?
“Get some rest.” He kissed my forehead. “Lucien wants to talk to me.”
I nodded and waited until he left to get up and stand in front of the mirror. I looked at my reflection from the side rubbing my belly when a voice startled me. “Courtney? Are you…”
“I don’t know,” I looked to Caterina with tears in my eyes. “and you can’t tell anyone. Please.”
“I won’t tell on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“You come to my room and take a pregnancy test.”
I stood in her bathroom and stared at the stick I previously peed on. It only takes a few minutes for the results, but it seems like the longest few in my life. The color starts to appear and I feel all the color drain from my face. In the window of the stick, two pink lines give me the answer to my question.
I was pregnant.
I stepped out and gulped as my best friend sat there patiently waiting for me to tell her the news. She stood up as I held out the stick to her. She took the test from me and smiled brightly.
“You’re pregnant!” She jumped for joy.
“Shh!” I tried to get her to lower her voice. The last thing I need is for someone to walk by and hear her say those two words. I want to be the one that tells Alec to hear it from someone else.
“I’ve got to go tell Alec.” I stuffed the test in my back pocket.
I stood at the office door and took a deep breath. It’s now or never. I knew Alec was still in here because when it comes to business it always takes a while. I raised my fist and wrapped on the door. The door opened and Lucien stood there with a confused look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped to the side allowing me to enter.
“I need to speak to Alec alone.” Alec looked up from the laptop as Lucien stood at the door.
Lucien stepped out leaving just me and him. It’s now or never Courtney. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the stick. I walked to the desk and placed it in front of him. I waited for his reaction as reality started to set in his brain.
He picked up the stick and a genuine smile spread across his face. I internally sighed in relief that he wasn’t upset I was pregnant. He ran around the desk and picked me up spinning me around. He kissed me passionately sitting me on his lap as he sat on the sofa.
“You’re pregnant?” He asked as if he wasn’t sure he saw the test.
“I’m having your baby Alec Vitale.” He placed his hand on my belly just as Gio walked in.
He raised an eyebrow to our position and where his hand laid. Alec’s hand never moved as Gio made his way to the sofa. He loosened his tie looking at my belly. “You’re pregnant.”
Over Alec’s hand, I placed mine on my belly. “I’m pregnant.”
Giovanni clapped a hand on Alec’s shoulder and grinned. “This calls for a celebration. Tonight we will have a special dinner with the announcement of our new addition to the family.”
My entire life I never knew what it was like to be loved. I never had the chance to be part of a family. I was ripped from mine at a very young age. All I knew back then was pain and torture, but not now. I found love in a world of murder, mayhem, and corruption. It was the fucked up world of the Italian Mafia where I found where I truly belonged. I finally found my family and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Not only had I found love, but I also found that not all people are not as twisted as Sergei. I can finally live my life without looking over my shoulder. I don’t have to worry if Sergei is hiding in the shadows waiting to rip me from my happiness. He’s gone and never coming back.