“I can’t just leave the cafe,” I protested, looking at the half-brewed coffee and the open cash register.

“The cafe is no longer safe for you, Mrs. Rivers,” Leo said. “The Valentis will send more men. Next time, we might not be down the street.”

I looked at the rain lashing against the front window, blurring the streetlights into smears of yellow and red.

I grabbed my coat from the hook behind the counter.

As I pulled the heavy wool over my shoulders, a wave of sudden, sharp nausea hit me.

I closed my eyes, swallowing hard, praying that Leo wouldn’t see the sudden paleness of my face.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched me.

“Just shock,” I lied, wrapping the coat tightly around my waist to hide any hint of a change in my body.

It was still too early for anyone to notice, but the fear of Dante discovering my pregnancy made my pulse race faster than the confrontation with the loan sharks.

Dante Russo did not tolerate secrets, especially not one that tied me permanently to the husband he wanted to destroy.