Twisted Minds Book 3
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Cassandra Rock
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Cara's life takes a dark turn when she discovers she's pregnant with the child of Luca Acerbi, the Mafia member who killed her father. Fleeing to Toronto, she hopes to start anew, but Luca tracks her down, determined to claim his child. As Cara navigates the dangerous world of Mafia politics and family secrets, she must find a way to protect her unborn child from a life of violence and control. With tension mounting and loyalties tested, Cara's fight for freedom becomes a battle for survival.
Chapter 1
CARA
My life has taken a drastic turn in the past few months. I had to leave Chicago. After discovering that Iâd slept with a man from the Mafia, the same man who murdered my father, I had no other choice but to run.
I chose Toronto, a new city in a new country, not too far from Chicago.
I found work at the downtown Fairmont Hotel. Itâs located right across from a concert venue, so weekends are always hectic. After working there for just over a month, I found out Iâm pregnant.
Thereâs no doubt about it. The father is Luca Acerbi. I hadnât been with anyone else during that time, and this revelation brought a whole new level of fear.
I was terrified of Luca finding out about my pregnancy and I was scared for my unborn child. I would do anything to keep this baby a secret from him, from his family, and from anyone who might pose a threat.
My plan is to stay in Toronto indefinitely. I never want to go back to the United States because that would only bring me closer to Luca and one step closer to losing my child.
The truth is, I donât plan on keeping my baby. Itâs too risky.
As soon as I give birth, the baby will be taken from me and given a better life, somewhere they can grow up safely without being tied to a dangerous family.
Like any other typical Friday night, the hotel was bustling, which led to a busy Saturday morning.
I arrived early to prepare for the eleven oâclock check-outs, and once the guests started to leave, I joined the other maids and we moved from room to room.
We follow a strict protocol for cleaning the rooms, especially in such a busy hotel, so each room took about thirty minutes to clean.
I reached the third room on my list, swiped my card to open the door, and stepped inside.
My first task is to change the bed sheets so I strip the bed of the dirty ones, tossing them on the floor.
I head to the hallway to get a clean set, rubbing my baby bump and humming âThis Little Light of Mine,â as I do every day.
When I was a kid, I used to go to church with my mom and this song was my favorite.
Itâs a cherished memory and since I wonât be able to pass it down to this child, I hope that they might feel a sense of familiarity if they ever hear it in the future.
âThis little light of mine, Iâm gonna let it shine,â I sing softly, pulling the fitted sheet onto the bed, leaning over the mattress to stretch it over each corner.
I hear the door to the room close as I pull the sheet over the last corner of the mattress and I glance over my shoulder. âThis room is being cleââ
My voice trails off as my body freezes, seeing him standing there. His tall frame is intimidating and his brown eyes bore into me while his lips remain in a firm line.
âLucaâŠâ
Heâs furious. I can see it in his face as he stares at me and a chill runs through me because now I know the family heâs from. Iâm terrified.
Luca doesnât say a word as he walks over to the lounge chair in the corner of the room, overlooking the view of the CN Tower.
He gazes out the window and Iâm not sure what scares me more, the silence or the man sitting across from me.
I glance at the door, noting that he has it locked, which would slow me down if I tried to run.
Itâs as if he can read my thoughts because his voice finally breaks the silence. âDonât even think about it. I have men outside the door in case you try to be stupid.â
âLuca, I thought I made it clear that I donât want to see you. I rejected your money every time you tried to send some. I blocked your calls before deciding to just get a new phone altogether.
âLuca, I left the freaking country, for Godâs sake. What more do I need to do for you to get the hint?â
I donât know where this confidence is coming from, but talking to Luca infuriates me.
He turned my life upside down. He lied to me for months and killed my father. Yet, he thought a simple apology would fix everything.
For the first time since he sat down, Luca looks at me with the same stern expression he had when he walked in.
His eyes move down to my stomach and I realize the biggest factor hereâmy baby. He knows Iâm pregnant and that will change everything Iâve planned.
âYou have something to tell me?â he asks, surprisingly calm.
I shake my head no, deciding to play dumb, but I know it wonât get me far.
Luca stands from the chair and takes a step toward me, his eyes locked on mine, and then he takes another step.
He takes his time until heâs standing in front of me, silent and unyielding. I swallow hard, unsure of what to expect from him.
As he pushes me onto the bed, I let out a yelp while trying to push him off of me.
With one hand, he pins my arms above my head, using the other hand to rip the buttons off of my dress until it falls open, revealing my body to him for the first time in months.
His face inches closer to mine and he hisses in my ear, âWhat the fuck is this?â His hand touches my belly and I close my eyes tightly, shaking my head.
âItâs not what you think.â
âThereâs no baby in there? What, youâve been eating too much fucking poutine and Canadian carbs?â He stands up and looks at me with disgust on his face.
âHow dare you try to keep my child from me? How fucking dare you, Caroline? You should have known better.â
I slowly sit up, pulling my torn dress over my chest to cover as much of my body as I can. My eyes dart around the room, avoiding Luca. I canât look at him because every time I do, fear takes over.
âNo child deserves that lifestyle. You know that.â
âYou donât get to decide that!â He turns around and knocks the lamp off the desk. When he faces me again, he points his index finger in my face and speaks through gritted teeth.
âI didnât get a say in this, and neither will our kid. We had sex, and this is what happens when you sleep with the Mafia, sweetheart.â
âI had no idea!â I jump up from the bed, not caring anymore that Iâm naked in front of him. Iâm standing up for myself and I wonât let him pretend like I was in on this.
âIf Iâd known who you really were, I would have never let you touch me. You hid this part of yourself pretty well, Luca. But donât you dare blame me for this when you didnât tell me who I was getting into bed with.â
Luca laughs, scratching the back of his neck as he walks toward the door. I have no clue what heâs up to, so I just watch him until he stops and turns to look at me. âAre you coming?â
I canât help but laugh. âNo. Youâre joking, right?â
âAlright, my love. Have it your way.â
He opens the door and I hear him say something in Italian to the guys outside before he vanishes into the hallway.
In no time, men with guns are rushing at me, and I back up until Iâm pressed against the big window behind me.
I should have known better. I should have seen this coming. Thereâs no escaping the Mafia and I have a feeling Iâm about to pay the price for trying.
