Read Thin Lives (Donati Bloodlines #3) for Free Online Page A

where food was concerned ever since the pregnancy had been announced.
    “Your puppy is getting fat,” Sherry said, more to herself than to Emma.
    “He’s not fat—he’s just furry.”
    And a little bit chubby.
    Midnight hadn’t grown beyond five and a half pounds. The vet said that was probably as big as the dog was going to get. When he walked on his stubby little legs, his belly rubbed the floor. He was terribly short, and waddled when he walked. But he was still as playful as ever, never messed in the house anymore, and he adored Emma like nothing else.
    He also despised Affonso, and had since the first time he met the man.
    Emma figured her dog just had good taste in people.
    Grinning, Emma dropped her hand down from the side of the table to feed Midnight a scrap of spiral noodles. The black ball of fur quickly inhaled the food, not even bothering to chew. Just as fast as the food was gone, Midnight sat sweetly, his little curled tail wagging hard.
    “No more,” Emma told him.
    Midnight didn’t move an inch, watching every bite Emma put into her mouth. Eventually, his silent begging got to her, and she dropped him another piece. He lapped it up before looking for more.
    “And that is why he is fat,” the cook said, laughing.
    Emma shrugged. “But he’s cute.”
    “If ugly is cute, then yes.”
    She knew the cook was only teasing her, because Midnight was terribly cute, what with his size, demeanor, and appearance. He still had that puppy look about him, and Emma didn’t think it would ever change.
    Sometimes, it made her sad just to hold Midnight, as he had been one of the few gifts Calisto had given her. He was one of the only things left behind from their time together.
    He was his own little reminder.
    But she loved him all the same.
    “Do you want some more of that casserole?” the cook asked.
    Emma smiled. “I’m not sure that I should.”
    Sherry waved her statement off. “Eating for two, Emma.”
    The puppy wasn’t the only one who was getting fat around the Donati home. It wasn’t that Emma had gained a lot of weight during her twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, but she was getting there. It was one thing to indulge in food, but it was another thing to overindulge. And since working out was a huge no-no during her pregnancy—what with the risks and all—Emma had to be careful about her weight gain through other methods, like eating well and making healthier portion choices.
    The last thing she wanted was gestational diabetes added to her list of issues.
    “I’m good,” Emma assured. “And it was delicious, so thank you.”
    Sherry nodded. “If you’re su—”
    The cook’s words were cut off by the sound of the front door slamming shut. Raising a brow at Sherry only earned Emma a shrug.
    She didn’t know who it was, either.
    Affonso hadn’t come out of the office to say anyone would be dropping by, and next to his phone calls and muttering, the home had been quiet for the majority of the day. Emma hated it when people came and went from their home like it was a meeting hub, available for anyone to use whenever they felt the need to show up.
    Saying that to Affonso, however, had earned her a quick reprimand.
    She chose not to voice her feelings anymore on the topic.
    “I wonder who that is?” Sherry asked.
    “I don’t know.”
    Emma didn’t have to wonder for long.
    “ Zio !”
    Calisto’s shout made Emma jump in her seat. She shot the cook a look, only to see Sherry sporting wide eyes.
    “Well, that answers that,” the cook muttered, grabbing a cloth to begin wiping the counter down. “I think I’ll just finish up for the day.”
    “ Zio , where are you?” Calisto yelled.
    He didn’t sound happy.
    In fact, his yell had been coated in a heated anger Emma had only heard from Calisto a handful of times since she’d known him. Something thumped against the hallway wall, making Emma get up from her chair a little faster than she knew she should to go see what was