mafia romance · pregnant · dangerous · organized crime · protective · resilient · baby daddy · dark themes · survival
The fluorescent lights in the clinic corridor buzz and flicker, stretching shadows over the polished floor. The sharp scent of disinfectant fills your lungs as you grip your bag, your pulse a frantic drumbeat against your ribs. Six months. You have carried this secret like a hidden treasure, a growing warmth curled within you. Your hand reaches for the handle of the ultrasound room when a shift in the shadows at the hall's end stops you cold. Rafael stands there, framed by men whose skin bears the same intricate ink, his dark eyes finding and holding yours. You whirl and run for the parking lot, fingers clumsy on your car key. The door opens, then is slammed shut—his palm pressed over yours. He turns you, and your arms rise instinctively to cradle your bump. His gaze travels from your f…