Page 90 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“Did they find him?” I rasped.

“He’s listed as missing, but I believe they will find him.” His demeanor turned calm.

“Really? But he was close…” My fingers wandered to the aching scar, feeling the throb beneath a bandage already tinged with blood. The sharp scent of sweat and antiseptic filled my lungs, making me screw up my face.

“Are you in pain?” Rocco asked.

“Yeah, but what I want most is a bath. I smell awful.” I wrinkled my nose.

He grinned. “Yeah, you do.”

I laughed and winced.

“Sorry.” He took my hand again. “I’ve been sitting here trying to think of what to tell you.”

“I heard you talking to me.”

His brow rose. “You did?”

I smiled. “I did.”

The nurse returned, handing me two aspirins. I swallowed them, shaking my head. “I hope this helps. Aspirin for a knife wound? That’s almost laughable.”

“It is if the woman is pregnant,” Rocco said in a casual tone.

“What?” My heart pounded, the heart monitor’s beeps fast again. “What did you just say?”

Our eyes met, and his shimmered. “You’re pregnant, Adelina. We’re having a baby.”

“Oh, my God. Seriously? But Dr. Vitale said I wasn’t pregnant. How long have I been pregnant?” I asked in quick succession, barely catching my breath as excitement rose.

“Dr. Vitale thinks the first test a false negative She says you’re more than a month along.”

I let out a cry, and he leaned over and kissed my lips and forehead. We broke away, and a nagging thought came to mind. The news should have filled me with joy, but the surprise timing brought on a swirl of emotions. I was torn between the happiness of a new life and Rocco’s choice. It put our baby timeline too close to when he hadn’t known about my not taking the birth control pills.London airport? Probably even earlier than that..

“I thought you’d be ecstatic,” he said, searching my face.

“I am. I…I just wished it had happened when you chose it to,” I said, biting my lip.

“As far as I believe, it was,” he said, smiling. “I love you, and I believe this baby, our baby, was created in love.”

He kissed me again, and I let myself feel that joy, but it was tinged by a shadow of sadness. My eyes returned to the wound on my side, and I thought of Judge Colby.

“He marked me, just as I marked him.”

Rocco’s eyes clouded, and he knew I was talking about my father. “He wasn’t marking you, Bella,” he said solemnly. “He was trying to take your life—”

I shook my head no. “He wanted to make me think of him—”

“No. The police and the doctor both believe your father tried to murder you. If it hadn’t been for the bodice and a few inches over—”

“Yes, I remember hearing the doctor say the bodice saved my life,” I murmured, feeling his hand settle protectively over my stomach. “He didn’t get his way, and you survived. Not only that, but you’re also having a baby—”

“Emanuele,” I whispered.

“Emanuele?” Rocco repeated. “You want to name our son or daughter Emanuele? Faith?”

I smiled. “Yes, that’s what I’ve held onto, what kept us moving forward and…” I hesitated, unsure if he’d think I’d lost my mind if I told him about my vision at the hospital. Perhaps it was a wish of the heart. However, it felt so real.