The next morning, the rain had not stopped, casting the entire city in a gray fog.

I stood in the kitchen, staring at the calendar on my phone.

Today was my scheduled prenatal ultrasound at a private clinic downtown.

I could not miss it; I needed to know the baby was healthy after the terror of last night.

Dante walked into the room, wearing a tailored charcoal suit that made him look like a shadow.

“You are quiet today, Alessia,” he said, pouring himself a cup of black coffee.

“I have an appointment,” I said, keeping my voice as casual as possible.

“What kind of appointment?” he asked, his dark eyes searching my face.

“Just a routine checkup at the clinic downtown,” I replied.

He set his cup down on the marble counter.

“Marcus is desperate,” Dante said. “He will try something.”

“It is a public medical center,” I said. “I will be fast.”

“You will take four of my men,” he said, leaving no room for argument.

I nodded, knowing it was useless to fight him on this.