Lou Sorrento was the Italian mafia boss for the Sorrento family. I’d neither seen him in person nor pictures of him online, but I’d heard of him. I was able to put everything together: Uncle Louie is Lou Sorrento. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? I nodded at him, biting my bottom lip to hide my fear and anger…anger because he lied to me. When we met up for lunch that one day, he told me he had nothing to do with the Sorrento family. So I sat there patiently and listened to what he had to say.

“Well I started when I was young after my father was murdered. See Lou and my father knew each other since they were in diapers. I haven’t told you … but my father was always involved with the mob. His father was in it, and growing up, that’s all we knew. He wanted different for my brother and me. He made sure we were in the best private schools and had the best tutors. He even owned a small successful financing business. My father made sure to always stay low key, never buying extravagant things that looked like it was more than what his business was worth.”

He rubbed his temples with his fingers and continued. “Well, after my father’s death. I took it really hard, got into a lot trouble in school. I was almost expelled.” He laughed once at the memory. “My mother couldn’t handle me, so she asked Lou if he can put me in my place, you know. He said to me, ‘Marky, if yah angry, yah taking it out on the wrong man, yah know? Come work for me; you can earn some money on the side and take out that frustration on those who deserve it.’ So I did. It started off as doing some loan-shark stuff, beating a few men, collecting money that was owed to Louie.

“My father left us money, but after my mom paid off the house, debts, and the shore home, there wasn’t enough to pay for college. Louie offered to pay off my tuition. Then he started getting deeper with drug and gun cartels. That’s what I handle now. When there’s a trade, I and sometimes Jimmie go make sure everything goes through smoothly. When it doesn’t, you can guess the rest.” Looking up, his eyes began to search mine, anticipating my thoughts.

Shocked by his sudden confession, I felt speechless. Looking into his eyes, I tried to think of something to say. “Why can’t you just get out?” I whispered.

He shook his head. “It’s not that easy, Mia. There’s a lot more to this story, but that’s something I can’t explain to you right now. You just have to trust me.” Shrugging, he gave a small, gentle smile.

“Why did you lie to me when I asked you about your involvement with the Sorrentos the day we met for lunch?”

He sucked his teeth. “Come on, Mia, would you have given me a chance if I disclosed that information to you after we just met? I wanted you to get to know me…not that side…I wanted to show you there was another side of me … a good side.”

It’s true I wouldn’t have given him a shot whatsoever, and even though it’s only been two weeks, I can’t give up on him…because I’m madly in love with him. Not wanting to press my luck, or force him into saying anything he didn’t want to say, I reached for his hand and spread my fingers in between his. Looking up I said, “Promise me something?”

Placing his hand to my face, he caressed my cheek with his thumb. “Anything.” He exhaled.

“Promise me, that you’ll never drink like that again. If you feel terrible or fucked up in the head after a job, come to me. You don’t have to talk about it. We’ll just lie there together. Okay?”

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A confused, soft smile appeared on his face. He gripped the back of my neck, pulling me in. His moist lips kissed my forehead. “What am I going to do with you?” He mumbled through his lips. Shrugging my shoulders, I lifted my chin and kissed him.

Chapter Seventeen

It was the week of Fourth of July. It was two and half months since Marcus and I met. We’d been going strong, spending a lot of time together, especially with his family. A lot can happen in two months, especially if you’re not careful. Oh God, why wasn’t I careful? I’m so stupid. Pacing back and forth, I waited till the timer went off. This was the longest three minutes of my life. My underarms were beginning to feel damp. Searching the bathroom cabinet, I found and grabbed a deodorant. I quickly rolled it under my arms. A loud buzzing noise startled me, and I dropped the deodorant into the sink.

It was time to look at my results, and I was scared. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the small stick and glanced down. My heart slightly dropped. Sure enough the small digital printout said it loud and clear: PREGNANT. I leaned over the counter to keep from fainting. Suddenly I was nauseated, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with the change in my hormones. Why and how did I allow it to get this far? These are the consequences of not taking precautions. It was no one’s fault but my own. I didn’t plan it, but I didn’t prevent it from happening. Ever since Marcus and I made the mistake of not using the protection the first time, it never came up to use it again. Oh God!

Finally letting out the air I was keeping in for what seemed like forever, I looked at myself in the mirror. What am I going to do? The past couple weeks, my body felt different. I just knew I was pregnant, but as I stared at myself, I still looked like me. I could feel the tears beginning to swell in my eyes. What will he think about this? A small part of me feared that he’d be thrilled, but why was I scared about that reaction?

A light knock on the door broke into my thoughts. “Mia, you ready? Elle is growing impatient.” Marcus voice pierced through the door. Grabbing the test and the now-empty package, I shoved both into my purse. Glancing one last time in the mirror, I inhaled and open the door.

Marcus eyed me curiously. “What were you doing in there anyways? You never lock the door.” He asked.

I wanted to throw myself in his arms, cry, and tell him our news. But I couldn’t, well just not at this moment. I wasn’t sure myself how I felt about the entire situation. “I’m not feeling well.” I managed a slight lie; holding my hand against my stomach, I looked up at him. “I didn’t want you to walk in on me if I threw up.”

He slightly pouted. “Aw babe, you got a stomach bug or something?”

Oh I have a something alright. “Maybe.” I shrugged.

“Wanna stay home? I can take Elle to the carnival myself. I’ll try to be back in a couple hours.”

Waving my hand, I quickly replied, “No, no, I promised Elle I would go. Besides I feel better now, it comes and goes.”




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