Wild One

Forty-One

Manon

How didn't I see it coming? Especially after the whole balding comment.

“It's a secret,” I grit. “It's not even decided yet.”

He grins, his eyes closed in glee. “We're pregnant!”

We're what?

Cutlery drops empathically. He's such a liar! And where is this baby coming from?!

“Y-you mean—” Dylan looks between us. “You?”

Niccoló winks. “At least twice a day."

I want to die. Baba growls. “How dare you!’

I'm gonna kill this man.

“Baba, calm down.” I stand up, grabbing Niccoló's hand and yanking him up.

“We need to talk,” I hiss..

He smiles offering his apologies like the worm that he is.

I take him to the living room, and punch him in the he stomach.

He hardly registers it.

“What the hell is your problem?”

He smirks, putting his hand around the nape of my neck, putting our foreheads together.

“Why did you lie?" I demand.

“I didn't. You mean you haven't noticed? Manon, you should really be more in touch with your body.”

What?

“Why do you think you've been so sick? And so hungry. And moody? Not to mention horny.”

Now that he mentions it...

I did eat five plates at dinner. And I have been feeling a little queasy. But I have a sensitive stomach, so I thought I ate something bad.

I'm a little honier than usual, but I thought maybe I was about to get my period. I chalked all the irregularities up to my period—

Which I haven't gotten in a month or two.

But then, I'm irregular anyway, so that's not too abnormal for me.

Could it be true?

“You see it now?”

I growl. “There's no guarantee, I'm pregnant. And you just blurted that out in front of my family!”

He puts his hands on my waist.

“I thought you would be happier. We'll be together. Forever. Now that you're carrying my heir.”

Heir? No. No no no no no!

“You've lost it,” I spat. “You're going to stay out of my life, Niccoló. And I'm not pregnant!”

“Denial,” He shrugged, “Is not just a river in Africa.”

I groan, wanting to kill this i***t!

“First of all, you're despicable."

He shrugs, nodding slightly, as if to say, that's true.

“Second, you're gonna go out there, and tell them you were joking.”

He nods pensively. “And where in this equation, thought out as it is, do I come in?”

“I just told you—”

He scoffs. “Listen, and listen carefully: You're not getting rid of me. Now let's go back out there, before your parents think I ravaged you."

I roll my eyes, letting it go for now, only because he brought out a valid point. I'm sure Baba is freaking out.

Niccoló gives me a quick kiss, taking my hand, and pulling me into the dining room.

“Sorry it took so long—”

We come back out, and all of SPD is waiting for us. Niccoló checks his phone, his face falling.

My heart drops to the soles of my feet. Dylan smirks victoriously.

“Niccoló Vitale, you have the right to remain silent.”

As he's being read his rights, he smirks, and sneers as the same time.

He's lifted his hands, and he's quickly cuffed.

“What the hell is going on here?” I demand.

Dylan smiles. “I'm sure this comes as a shock to you, but this piece of s**t has been lying. He runs a criminal organization.”

His tone is so condescending, I almost throw a fork at him.

Niccoló shrugs out of the officers grip, laying a deep kiss on my lips. I look him in the eyes.

Are you alright? I ask him.

He winks. I'll be fine. Don't leave town.

“Take him away.”

I watch them take Niccoló away in handcuffs. The sight is more sickening than it should have been.

The squad cars roll out, and soon, it's just me, Baba, Mama and Dylan.

I glare at him. “What the hell, Dylan?”

Dylan shrugs.

“Why would you arrest the guy I brought home?”

“I told you: He's a criminal!"

Mama looks at me sadly. Baba catches on soon after.

“You knew didn't you?” Baba asks.

I push my food around, not answering me.

“Child, answer me.”

I grit my teeth. “He's—he's not as bad as you think. I—”

I wince, the words sounding all wrong in my mouth.

“What?!”

“What I mean is he treats me well.”

Baba is outraged, as is Dylan.

“This is unacceptable! You will leave criminal and get rid of his spawn.”

I scoff, pushing away my plate. “Baba, this isn't the middle ages. I love who I want. I screw I want.”

“Watch your mouth!” He chastised me.

“No! You watch your mouth. I love that man. And how dare you tell me to get rid of my child!”

The house is quiet then. “I'm not even pregnant. But you know what, if I had a child, I would never bring him here.”

Baba rears back. “You don't mean that.”

“Don't I? All my life, you've both told me to be normal. I'm not. I'm not normal. The man that I love isn't normal. No child of mine will be normal.”

Baba grits his teeth. “This isn't about normal. It's about the fact he is a criminal.”

I swallow. “I understand that you don't get my choices. Maybe they're not the best. But I had hoped you would support me—”

“Support you?” Baba roars. “While you w***e around with a murderer?!”

I flinch, and look down.

“Please, Henri,” Mama says, calming him.

“As long as you're with him, you're not welcome here.”

I stand. “Fine. I guess I'll just have to leave.”

Mama starts crying, and hollering my name. But I walk out. Waiting for me is a black car, familiar.

I check the driver, before I get in.

“Hey Angelo.”

Sitting in the backseat with me is...no way. It's been thirty minutes since he was taken away.

“I gotta say—I'm pissed.”