Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1007 : Tension in the Air

*Bianca*

The baby shower was just around the corner, and I could already feel the excitement building. Amara had been over the moon, taking control of all the details.

“We’ve got to have one of those stick the pin on the diaper games, and a calendar with a prize for whoever guesses the date your baby will be born,” she gushed.

She took furious notes on her tablet.

“Games are fun,” I agreed.

“And food. We’re going to have pink and blue frosted cupcakes and matching balloons. We can get tablecloths, napkins, paper plates, and everything to match the baby shower theme. I can even order some fresh flowers. Blue and pink rose bouquets.” She kept tapping away with her notes.

“How big is this going to be?” I narrowed my eyes at Amara.

She shrugged. “I promise it will be fun. Oh! Wait, I should do a gender reveal at the baby shower. Of course, why didn’t I think of that?”

Amara went back to her planning and I got the sense she was talking more to herself.

I noticed she didn’t answer my question, but I didn’t push it.

It’s not that I minded Amara taking control of the baby shower. I had my hands full with other things, like trying to settle into this new version of my life, trying to keep it all together.

And preparing for a baby.

Sighing, I rested my hands on my big belly.

“What do you think, Isabella?” I waved at her across the room.

Amara was next to me on the couch engrossed in her notes.

Isabella sat in a chair across the room scrolling through her phone.

“I want you to be part of the planning.”

She looked up and winced. “I’m not a party person.”

“You need to be! This part is for the baby,” Amara chimed in.

I rolled my eyes. “Ignore her. I do want you to be involved, though. What would you want for a baby shower?”

Isabella frowned. “Well, you’re going to want a smart baby. So, how about some classical children’s books? There are some we could set up with the baby shower décor. I think it would be really cute.”

“Books aren’t decorations,” Amara said.

“Oh, I think it’s an adorable idea! I’d love to see Peter Rabbit or Benjamin Bunny on the food table.” I clapped my hands.

“No one can go wrong with a good bedtime story,” Isabella agreed. “And the bunnies are super cute.”

Amara stared at both of us. “Alright, fine!”

Isabella laughed and picked up her phone again.

I guess that was all the input I’d be getting from her. Not that I minded. She would be here when it mattered.

I leaned back on the couch and looked at the ceiling.

As much as I appreciated Amara’s enthusiasm, it was exhausting trying to keep up with her plans.

At least she had the energy and vision to do it. Since I couldn’t keep up, it wouldn’t get done without her.

“When will your family be getting here again?” Amara asked, shaking me from my thoughts.

“Umm...” I grabbed my phone and looked at my mom’s email. “Next week. It looks like my immediate family, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all arriving the same day.”

“Okay, good...”

I reread her email and my heart swelled a bit.

My mom was going to stay with me until after the baby was born. I couldn’t wait to have her with me to help me through the trials of being a new mom.

I closed her email and saw the time. “That’s weird,” I muttered.

“What is?” Isabella asked.

I looked up, almost forgetting my friends were there. “Oh. Leo’s been gone for a while.”

“Is that bad?” she asked.

“No. I’m just surprised. You know how protective he’s been.” I giggled and rubbed my stomach. “It’s weird that he’s not here.”

Amara and Isabella laughed.

“He has been over protective,” Amara agreed.

“I get it... we just both need to adjust to the new dynamic. Having a baby is always complicated.”

He was taking time off for me and trying to let Franky and Darion handle more responsibility. But I knew how hard it was for him.

Leo was so used to being in control and being the guy in charge. I knew it wasn’t easy for him to feel out of the loop or like he didn’t have a job to do.

I started when the front door slammed.

“What was that?” I gasped.

Leo strode through the living room, a surly look on his face. His footsteps fell heavily as he marched by.

“What the heck was that about?” Amara asked when he was gone.

“Leo?” I called after him.

No answer.

“Thanks guys, for helping with the planning.” I pushed off the couch and stood up with a grunt.

“Right. We’ve done all we can today.” Amara jumped up and grabbed her purse.

“Sure. See you later, Bianca.” Isabella waved to me as they headed for the door.

They both knew when Leo wasn’t in the best of moods.

I had to admit, though, there was something oddly comforting about their quiet retreat. It left room for me to have some space with Leo.

“Leo, is everything alright?” I called out again.

He didn’t answer me right away. He walked into the living room, gave me a half-smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

He was trying. I could see that much. But something was off. His movements were stiff, his jaw clenched. Whatever it was, he wasn’t ready to talk about it.

“What’s going on?” I asked gently. I went to him and put my hand on his shoulder.

He paused for a moment, his shoulders visibly relaxing. “Yeah. Just a rough day at work.” His voice was tight, controlled, but I could tell there was something he wasn’t saying. He kissed on the forehead and muttered, “I’m gonna go upstairs for a bit.”

I nodded, watching him head up the stairs. I didn’t want to push him. Not yet. He needed time to process.

I waited a few minutes and followed him upstairs. The door to our bedroom was cracked open, so I slipped inside quietly, not wanting to make him feel cornered.

Leo was at the dresser. He pulled off his jacket and stared at it.

I walked over to him, hoping to catch his eye.

Up close, I saw something white on his jacket. “Oh, let me throw that in the laundry.” I tried to take the jacket.

Leo snatched my wrist in his hand, squeezing like a vice. “Don’t touch that!” He snapped.

“I-I’m sorry,” I gasped. My heart leaped into my throat. “Ow...”

He released me quickly. “Just... I’ll take care of it.” He stormed off, jacket in hand.

My wrist stung where he grabbed me. I rubbed it and plopped down on the edge of the bed. Tears sprang to my eyes.

I wiped them away quickly. Ugh, pregnancy hormones.

When Leo returned, without his jacket, I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

His face was pale, his eyes wide.

Something had either pissed him off or scared the hell out of him. Maybe a bit of both.

“Leo... what is it?” I asked, my voice soft but insistent. “What’s going on?”

His gaze darted around the room, and he seemed to take a deep breath before turning to face me.

“I... it’s just—” His voice faltered. “I don’t want you to worry.”

“I’m already worrying,” I said. “So just tell me. Where did you put your jacket?”

“I threw it out. Don’t go near it. Don’t touch it. I’ll get someone to take care of the trash later, okay?”

“Yeah... okay. But why? What’s going on?”

He sighed and rubbed his temple. “A new leader in the Angels,” he began slowly, “someone different and unexpected. They’ve decided to back out of our treaty.”

“What?” I stood up. “They can’t do that, can they!? We had an agreement.”

“I know. Bianca, it’s okay.” Leo put his hands on my shoulders and gently pushed me to sit down again. He sat beside me. “Franky is working on it. But the new leader isn’t the only problem.”

“Is the other one that white powder on your jacket?”

Leo scoffed and nodded. “They’ve been pushing something new on the market. A drug called Snow. I’m trying to figure out who’s behind it.”

A new leader. A new drug. No treaty with the Angels?

I put my hand on my belly.

We were supposed to be getting out. Building a safe home and future for our baby. Suddenly, it didn’t seem like Leo could get out.

“It’s called Snow and is being pushed by a guy who goes by ‘Jack Frost,’” He laughed bitterly. “Ridiculous.”

“But effective,” I muttered. My throat tightened. “What if this Snow is more dangerous than you think?”

He met my eyes, his jaw tightening. “I know. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. I don’t want to bring you into it. I just... I need to figure out who’s running the show. And I need to make sure you’re safe.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to protect me from everything, Leo. I’m not fragile. But you do need to let me in. We’re in this together, remember?”

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his face with his hand. “I know. I’m sorry for keeping this from you. I just... I didn’t want to add more stress to what you’re already going through.” He put a hand on my growing stomach.

A rare, soft, tender smile touched his lips and I covered his hand with mine.

He licked his lips and took my hurt wrist. Leo lifted it to his mouth and kissed me gently on the red mark left by his grip.

“I’m sorry, Bianca. I didn’t want you or the baby anywhere near that drug.”

“I understand.” I nodded. My skin warmed with each kiss he placed.

Leo met my eyes, and for the first time since he’d walked in, I saw a flicker of relief. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

“I’ll handle this,” he promised. “I’ll find out what’s going on. But I don’t want you to worry. Not about this.”

“I can’t help it,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Worrying comes with the territory of being with you.”

His lips quirked into a smile, just a little. “Fair enough.”

“I’ll stay out of your way. But Leo,” I added, “I need you to be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

He pulled me into an embrace, holding me tight for a moment before pulling back to look at me. “I promise. I’ll be careful.”

I wanted to believe him. But there was a part of me that knew that promises weren’t always enough when dealing with the things Leo dealt with.

He promised a safe life for me and our baby, but how much longer would I need to wait for that?