Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

T he look on my father's face is one of shock. I expected to see disappointment. He's always warned me about being safe, not just for myself but for the women I'm with. I was safe with Aleeka though; it just didn't work. I remember the broken condom. I remember thinking I'd take her to the clinic and get the morning-after pill if she wanted it, but then she disappeared on me.

"You didn't know?" Pops asks. I shake my head. He then turns to Aleeka. "I'm assuming your father knows about this?"

"He didn't know about Orlando. I never told anyone," she says, her voice quiet. She's scared. I can hear the fear in her tone.

"This isn't her fault, Pops." Even if I am fucking pissed at Aleeka myself, I'm not about to let anyone else lay the guilt trip on her.

"I wasn't going to say it was. Pack some things. You guys can't stay here. It's not safe," Pops says to me before returning his attention to Aleeka. "I'm calling your father. I'll let him know you'll be at our house."

"I can stay here. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'm feeling better." She's lying. She's not feeling better. Her usually tanned skin is pale.

"It wasn't a question. Orlando, gather whatever they both need. I'll wait for you downstairs." Pops turns and walks out.

When I look back to Aleeka, her face has gone a shade paler. "It's okay. You don't need to be afraid of my family. They're not monsters," I tell her.

"The rumors would suggest otherwise," she murmurs.

"Believe what you see, not the stories you hear. Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"

Aleeka shakes her head.

"Then don't start doubting me now. I know they can come across rough around the edges, but their intentions are only to protect you, to protect Sebastian," I explain. "I'll stay here with you if you really don't want to come home with me. But I'm not going to leave you."

"Why would you do that?" she asks.

"Because you're family, and that's what family does," I remind her.

Aleeka shakes her head again. "I'm not your family. He is, but I'm not."

"You're the mother of my child. That doesn't just make you family, Aleeka. That makes you my new priority."

There was a time when all I wanted was to fuck this girl out of my system. Now, all I want to do is protect her. Make sure she's always here so that our son doesn't grow up without a mother. I think of my own mother, and I honestly could not imagine a world without her.

I've spent my whole life watching the men in my family love and protect their wives. Women are treated with respect, almost a reverence. And as pissed as I am at Aleeka right now, I'm not going to take it out on her. Besides, I think my father and my uncles would kick my fucking ass if they got wind of me mistreating a girl.

"I don't expect anything from you, Orlando," she says.

"Well, that's pretty fucking obvious, Aleeka. Were you ever going to actually tell me?" I ask, frustration slipping through the cracks of my forced calmness.

"I was. Tomorrow. It's why I asked you to come over." She sighs. "Also, if his first word starts with an F, I'm blaming you."

I look down at the baby I'm holding. Shit. Is he really picking up on my curse words?

"Fuck. I mean, shit, no… He can't repeat these words yet, can he?"

"No." She smiles. "But one day he will."

"I'll work on it. Come on, what are we doing? Staying here? Or are you going to let me take you home?"

"I'll come with you. Your dad seems pretty pissed already. I don't want to piss him off any more."

"He's not pissed. He's in shock. It's not every day you find out your teenager has a kid."

"Why are you so calm about this?" she asks, her brows drawn down as she looks up at me.

"Because losing my shit isn't going to help, and that's not an impression of myself I want to give my son… or his mother." I shrug. "Tell me what I need to pack."

"Thank you," Aleeka says as I walk into her closet, still balancing Sebastian in one arm. I pull down an overnight bag from her shelf.

"You're coming home," I whisper to my son, and my heart fills with something I've never felt before. I know I've told Aleeka this is only until she gets better, but I'm not about to let her leave once I have her. I'm not missing out on any more of my child's life.

Once I've packed everything Aleeka tells me we'll need, I look down at the multiple bags. How can such a tiny person need so much shit?

"Come on, I'll have some of the guys grab the bags," I tell her.

"What guys?"

"My father wouldn't be here alone. He'll have some family with him." With my son in one arm, I take hold of Aleeka's palm with my free hand. When she doesn't pull away, I smile and take that as a win. Although it could just be due to her lack of energy. "Are you okay to walk?"

"I'm fine," she says.

Sure enough, when we get downstairs, my father is there, along with my Zio Theo and Zio Romeo. All three sets of eyes turn to look at us.

"There are some bags in her room. We need them to come with us," I tell them.

"Got it." Zio Romeo nods and walks up the stairs we just came down.

"I spoke to your father. He's coming home early tomorrow," my dad directs to Aleeka.

She nods her head. "Okay."

"Come on, let's get you home before you pass out," he says.

"Ah, the baby seat is in my car," Aleeka tells me, her voice low.

"I'll drive," I tell her, walking in the direction of where I know the garage is located.

"Prepare yourself, Orlando. Your mother is waiting at home for you," Pops says, sounding a little too fucking cheery.

I groan. "Got it. I'll see you there."

"Fuck me. When did we get this old?" I hear Zio Theo ask my dad as they walk out together.