Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Agreed, and knowing Leonardo’s affinity for luxury, he has connections to the city’s highest bidders."
“That’s it!” I say as it suddenly clicks in my head.
“What is?” Vincent asks.
“That’s the way he can assure he’ll get the most money for Valentina—an auction.”
CHAPTER 16
VALENTINA
Being kidnapped while pregnant is not what the doctor ordered. In fact, it’s completely contrary to what the doctor recommended when he told me to keep things “low stress,” but it’s not as if I have any control at all over what is going on right now.
“I told you, I’ve already taken a pregnancy test,” I argue with Leonardo as he pushes another test toward me. “I’ve already been seen by the doctor, and my pregnancy has also been confirmed. I don’t need to take another test.”
“Call me overly cautious,” Leonardo sneers. “I want to see it for myself. You’re also going to take a different test just as soon as the doctor I’ve called arrives here.”
“What kind of test?” I ask with creeping anxiety.
“One that will give me a clear and definitive answer regarding whose baby it is that you’re carrying inside your womb—a paternity test.”
The thought of taking these tests under Leonardo’s supervision turns my stomach. Not only do I not want him knowing anything about me and my child, but I also don’t want him finding out with certainty that the baby is Luc’s. Obviously, it disturbed me when he sent that note to the hotel suite and hinted at the possibility of it being his, and part of me wants that confirmation of a paternity test that it indeed is not. But I’m also well aware that if he finds out the child isn’t his, it will put me and my baby in even graver danger. Despite my concerns, though, there’s really no way out of this. I just wish Luciano would figure out where I am and come rescue me, just like he did outside the cathedral in Italy. But that time, he knew exactly where I was. Thanks to my father’s involvement with Barone and Leonardo Conti, I don’t think anyone other than the confused nurse at the clinic who saw me leave out the back door knows what has happened to me. She also doesn’t know where they took me. The situation feels desperate. My short flight of freedom with Luc might be the last time I’m ever allowed to spread my wings again.
I try to hold my emotions together and not despair as I take the pregnancy test, like Leonardo demands of me. While I wait for the expected positive sign in the test window, I stay in the bathroom for a moment of quiet solitude before going out and having to face him again.
“Time to come out,” Leonardo beckons with a sharp knock on the door after not over ten minutes have passed. “The doctor is here.”
I walk out and hand over the positive pregnancy test, eyeing the doctor that Leonardo apparently has on call. The man looks a lot less wise and friendly than the doctor at the medical clinic. This guy looks the part of “mafia doc” and he has the bedside manner to match.
“Open your mouth, please,” he instructs as he pulls a swab out of his black bag.
I do as I’m told because I know better than to defy any of Leonardo’s men. It won’t matter how much I protest. They’ll force me to do as I’m told, regardless. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way before.
After the test, Leonardo will soon receive the results and decide my fate and my unborn child’s fate. Before the doctor leaves, he also insists on a blood draw.
“Why so many tests?” I ask as he raises a brow at the fact that I have the audacity to ask questions at all. “And how long before the results come back?”
“Efficiency and accuracy, my dear,” he smirks as he glances at Leonardo out of the corner of his eyes. “Mr. Conti doesn’t want any mistakes to be made or any false results. I’ll have the results back by tomorrow evening.”
“Tomorrow?” I ask in surprise, having thought that the results would at least take several days, if not more than a week.
“I can usually offer Mr. Conti my same-day service, but some things take a little more time,” the doctor replies as he jabs me with a needle.
As much as I want all of this to be over, I don’t want it to end badly. Tomorrow is too soon. Luc doesn’t have enough time to find and rescue me before Leonardo discovers the baby isn’t his.
Once the blood draw is complete, I take a few steps backward, wanting to put as much space as possible between me and these awful men, even though I’m still stuck inside the same room with them. But the blood collection, combined with stress and nerves, and the fact that I haven’t eaten, makes me momentarily dizzy and off-balance. Leonardo reaches out a hand to steady me, and I instantly try to wrench my arm away from him. But his grip is tight, and he holds fast, pulling me over to a chair that he practically shoves me down into.