He Can’t Know

Vince POV

It's been two days since I got Emilia the pregnancy test. I chuckle to myself as I remember how sneaky she was with it. It was good plan and Alessi will be none the wiser. My smile is immediately replaced with a frown realizing that she could be pregnant. I highly doubt that is what she would want giving her current circumstances. Alessi would be over the moon about it, but it's not my place to tell him. I really need to get back there to check on her, but if I go see her without a good reason it'll just make him worry even more. I'm very worried myself. She looked so lost and broken when I saw her stick her head out the door. Her cheeks were sunken in and the humor in her eyes that we had built up over the last couple months had vanished. Even though I haven't known her long, she means the world to me. I view her as a little sister, and that's odd since I never viewed Dria that way even though her brother was basically a brother to me. Now that I mention it, viewing Dria as family kind of gave me a sick feeling. I won't deny that she's a beauty, but she's my best friend's little sister. That's off limits. Right? Not to mention she's just barely twenty and I'm older than Alessi. I'll be twenty-five next month so I can't possibly look at her like that. I shake my head at myself steering my thoughts back to where they need to be. I really need to check on Emilia. I hope she hasn't done anything drastic if that test is positive.

I look down at my phone to see a message from Marco. He's supposed to be keeping watch at Dria's so when I see his name pop up on my screen, my heart falls.

- I got some family problems to deal with. Baby momma going to the hospital. Cover for me?-

I sigh in relief knowing that Em is okay. My sigh gained Alessi's attention since he looked up from his paperwork.

"Everything okay?"

I look into his eyes and see how dull they look. Not being around Emilia has really taken a toll on him.

"Everything's good. I gotta go relieve Marco. Apparently Rosalee has to go to the hospital."

"I'll make sure to call him later then. Will you let me know how's she doing, Vince?"

I know he's talking about Emilia. The vulnerability in his voice makes my heart ache with guilt. I've never kept anything from him before, but I have to now for Emilia.

"Will do."

I quickly make my way to my car before I head out to Dria's. It's a two hour drive, but with the uneasy feeling in my stomach, I know it'll feel much longer than that.

Dria POV

I walk into my house and throw my heels off. I was gone over the weekend for work, so I hope Emilia has taken care of herself. I make my way into the kitchen and see my cook emptying a plate of food in the garbage.

"Is she still not eating?"

I hear Anna sigh before looking at me.

"Well, she tries to eat now, but I hear her getting sick several times a day. I'm really worried that she is getting an eating disorder or stomach ulcers. Something isn't right, though."

I nod my head at her and thank her for her help. I debate on calling Alessi. If Emilia really is sick, then he should know. He loves her so much despite all the bone headed moves in the past. It's been a week since Em got here and she hasn't had a proper meal. She hasn't left her room to my knowledge, and now she's throwing up. At this rate, she'll be in the hospital from either dehydration or a mental breakdown. I can't bare the thought of losing her. With that in mind, I pull out my phone and pray I'm not making a mistake.

"Alessi, I think something is wrong with a Emilia."

I hear him take a deep breath over the phone. I instantly regret calling him. He will be here as soon as possible and I know that Emilia doesn't want to see him. Before I let him get a word out, I quickly let him know how things are going to work.

"I think she is sick. I'm going to get a doctor to look at her, and I'll let you know. But, Alessi, I mean it when I say you can't come here. It'll only make things worse."

"I understand. I'll send my doctor to your house. I trust him. Call me back when you know something."

I hear glass breaking and a string of cuss words before the call disconnects. I hate being torn between my brother and my best friend, but I know I have to be here for Emilia because it's his fault she's like this. Well, his fault by association. Dang Russians.

I hear a knock at the door so I head to it and pull it open. Vince is standing in the doorway in usual black suit attire. I let my eyes gaze to his broad muscular shoulders before I shake my head and let him in. He will never see me the way I want him to. After all these years, I know I'm just Alessi's little sister to him.

"What's up?"

He looks nervous as he shifts from one foot to the other. It's very unlike him.

"I need to see Emilia. You've been gone all weekend haven't you? Have you talked to her? How's she feeling?"

"I just got back Vince. I don't know how she's doing, but my cook said not good. She's throwing up now, so I called Alessi and he..."

"YOU DID WHAT?"

I'm shocked by his outburst, but quickly collect myself giving him a glare letting him know he better tone it down.

"He is sending a doctor to check on her. What has gotten into you?"

"We really need to go see her."

I nod at him confused before leading him upstairs to her room.

Emilia POV

It's been two days of trying to eat only to throw everything back up. Luckily I can drink water and keep it down so I know I won't get too dehydrated. I've tried my best to eat though. I know it's what the baby needs. I still can't get over the fact that I'm pregnant. Pregnant at twenty-one and the baby daddy is the capo of the Italian mafia and is the reason my life is a mess. I want to hate him so bad, but I end up hating myself more because I can't. I really can't hate the life that we made together either. It's not my baby's fault that it's father has caused me so much pain. I don't even know if it's really Alessi's fault either. Doesn't change the fact that I'm pissed at him and choose to blame him.

I hear a knock at my door, but I don't acknowledge it. I'm sure it's Dria and she will come in regardless. I peek over the covers and see Dria and Vince come in. Vince looks at me with worried eyes trying to read my expression. I open my mouth to try to say something. Anything. But I feel the few bites I had at lunch are coming back up. I sprint to the bathroom and heave into the toilet. The toilet and I have become very close since I spend a good portion of my day kneeling before it. I'm not sure what's morning sickness and what's depression with the amount I'm vomiting. I feel like it's a combination of both and I hope my baby won't suffer from it.

I feel Dria come up behind me pulling my hair back. When I'm done, I rinse my mouth and head back to bed. I see Dria staying in the bathroom cleaning the toilet probably disgusted with what just happened. I should warn her that she should leave before it happens again though. I look to see that Vince hasn't moved. His eyes are filled with worry and sadness. I simply nod my head at him hoping that will be enough of an answer. I see his fists tighten before he makes his way to me to pull me into a hug. I feel myself starting to cry. Dang these hormones.

Suddenly I jump as I hear Dria scream.

"Emilia!! What is this?"

I look up to see her walking out of the bathroom with the test that hasn't left the counter since I took it. I see pity in her eyes and I can't stand it.

"Well guess you know now. Congrats. You're gonna be an aunt."

I give her a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. She tries to return one, but instead I see tears fall down her face too.

"I'm so sorry."

Her voice is thick with emotion as she makes her way to me. I let both of them hold me until all of my tears are gone.

I hear the doorbell ring downstairs and give them a puzzled look. I see Dria's face turn guilty.

"I was worried so I called Alessi."

I feel my face pale. I can't see him. I'm not ready.

"Don't worry Em. It's just his doctor. This is good though. You can get checked out."

She tries to reassure me, but can we trust this doctor?

"Okay, but Alessi can't know. He will eventually, but I'm not ready to see him again."

Both of their jaws clench. I know they disagree with me, but this will have to wait until later. I need to get myself together before I tell him that he's going to be a father.