Pregnant With The Mafia's Baby

Chapter 10: Fractured Loyalties

Damon

The room was dark, lit only by the soft amber glow of a single lamp on the polished oak desk. Blackstone City sprawled beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, its shimmering lights a stark reminder of the empire my family had built. An empire both legitimate and not. I leaned back in the leather chair, my fingers steepled as Vinnie stood before me, his expression as grim as ever.

"We’ve tightened security around the penthouse," Vinnie said. "Marco’s men haven’t made another move yet, but it’s only a matter of time."

I nodded, my mind working through the layers of this tangled game. Marco wasn’t just playing for power—he was playing for humiliation. Every move he made was calculated to make me look weak. And Neeah, unwittingly or not, was his weapon of choice.

"What’s the latest on Marco’s activities?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.

"He’s consolidating his alliances," Vinnie replied. "Pulling in favors from smaller families in the city. He’s been meeting at The Enclave—some of the old guard seem to be siding with him."

The Enclave. A fortress of wealth and influence, where deals were struck over wine and cigars, cloaked in polite civility. I’d underestimated Marco’s reach if he was making inroads there.

"And the footage?" I asked, my voice hardening.

Vinnie shifted his weight. "We’re still tracing the source of the leak. Whoever released it was careful. But Marco’s fingerprints are all over this."

I clenched my fists, the familiar burn of frustration simmering beneath the surface. That footage—Neeah and Marco, exchanging something in the club—had set off a cascade of doubt I couldn’t ignore. Rationally, I knew there was more to the story. Emotionally? The questions gnawed at me.

"Neeah doesn’t remember anything," I said, mostly to myself.

Vinnie raised an eyebrow. "Do you believe her?"

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I stood and walked to the window, the city’s lights reflecting off the glass. "I want to believe her," I admitted, my voice quieter now. "But I can’t afford to be wrong. Not with Marco pulling strings."

Vinnie nodded, his loyalty unwavering. "She’s caught in the crossfire, boss. Whether she’s innocent or not, Marco’s using her against you."

I turned back to him. "Keep the heat on Marco. I want to know every move he makes. And double the guard around Neeah. I won’t give him the satisfaction of getting to her."

"Understood," Vinnie said, his tone resolute as he left the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a slow breath, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The truth was, I didn’t just want to protect Neeah because of the baby. She’d become something more—a c***k in the armor I’d worn for years. And that terrified me.

Neeah

The next morning, I woke to the sound of voices outside the bedroom door. Muffled, but tense. Damon’s voice was unmistakable, low and commanding, while Vinnie’s gruffer tone provided the occasional response. I pulled the blanket tighter around me, trying to ignore the unease that had settled in my chest.

The events of the past week—the footage, Marco, Damon’s suspicions—swirled in my mind. I wanted to believe this was all some misunderstanding, that Marco’s involvement in my life was purely coincidental. But the doubt in Damon’s eyes haunted me.

The door opened, and Damon stepped inside, his presence filling the room. He looked as put-together as ever, but there was a tension in his posture that he couldn’t hide.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice steady but laced with an edge.

I sat up, bracing myself. "What now?"

He walked to the foot of the bed, his gaze unwavering. "Marco’s been making moves. He’s using you as leverage."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "Leverage? How?"

"He’s feeding lies to the other families," Damon said. "Spinning a story that you’re working with him, that the baby is part of some scheme."

My stomach turned. "That’s insane. You know that’s not true."

"Do I?" he asked, his voice sharp. "I want to believe you, Neeah. But the footage, your memory gaps—it’s all too convenient."

His words cut deeper than I expected. "You think I’m lying to you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I don’t know what to think," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But in my world, trust isn’t something I can afford to give blindly."

I stood, the frustration boiling over. "Your world? Damon, I didn’t choose to be part of this. I didn’t ask for Marco to show up that night, and I sure as hell didn’t ask to be dragged into whatever power struggle you two have going on."

He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "No, you didn’t. But you’re in it now. And that means every choice you make, every word you say, has consequences."

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "I’ve been honest with you, Damon. If you can’t see that, then maybe this arrangement isn’t what’s best for either of us."

His expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—something vulnerable. "This isn’t just about us anymore. It’s about the baby. And whether you like it or not, I’m going to protect you."

"Even if it means keeping me prisoner?" I shot back.

"If that’s what it takes," he said, his voice low but unwavering.

The silence between us was deafening. For a moment, I thought he might say more, but instead, he turned and walked to the door.

"Damon," I called after him, my voice softer now. "Do you really think I’m capable of betraying you?"

He paused, his hand on the doorframe. When he spoke, his voice was quiet but heavy with meaning. "I don’t want to think that, Neeah. But in my world, doubt can be deadly."

And with that, he was gone.

Damon

The ride to the docks was silent, the hum of the car’s engine the only sound. Vinnie sat in the passenger seat, his hand resting on the gun holstered at his side. My men followed in a convoy behind us, their vehicles blending seamlessly into the early morning traffic.

"Marco’s been spotted here," Vinnie said, breaking the silence. "He’s meeting with some of the smaller players. Trying to rally them."

I nodded, my mind already calculating the next move. "And the shipment?"

"Secure for now," he replied. "But Marco’s men have been sniffing around."

The docks came into view, the towering cranes silhouetted against the rising sun. This was my city. My territory. And Marco was daring to challenge me on my own ground. It wasn’t just a power play—it was a provocation.

As we pulled up to the warehouse, my men fanned out, their presence a silent warning to anyone watching. I stepped out of the car, the cool morning air biting at my skin. Vinnie was at my side, his expression as serious as ever.

"You sure about this?" he asked quietly.

I gave him a sharp look. "Marco made this personal. It’s time I remind him who he’s dealing with."

The warehouse door creaked open, and I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the dimly lit space. Marco was there, surrounded by a handful of his men. He turned as I entered, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"Damon," he said, his tone mocking. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I didn’t bother with pleasantries. "You’ve been busy, Marco. Spreading lies, poking at the edges of my business."

He shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Just keeping things interesting. You’ve gotten too comfortable, Damon. Someone had to shake things up."

I took a step closer, my voice cold and steady. "Stay away from Neeah. Stay away from my family."

His smile faltered just slightly, enough for me to see the c***k in his façade. "Or what?"

I leaned in, my voice a deadly whisper. "Or I’ll show you just how ruthless I can be."

The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats. Marco held my gaze for a long moment before stepping back, his smile returning.

"You’ve got fire, Damon. I’ll give you that," he said. "But this isn’t over."

I watched as he and his men left, my resolve hardening. This wasn’t just about power anymore. It was about survival. And I would do whatever it took to protect what was mine.