Page 30 of Passion and Deception

Would Nadia grow up to look like Ciara? His sister was a truly beautiful woman. And more importantly, she was intelligent. He’d gotten to know her over the past year and was astounded by her intelligence and empathy. He definitely hoped that Nadia resembled Ciara. And Maggie.

Damn, he’d really failed when it came to his treatment of Maggie. She’d gone through so much all on her own.

No, she hadn’t gone through this pregnancy on her own. She’d had friends and Levi to watch out for her. She had an excellent support network. But she hadn’t had anyone to lean on during the scary hours of the night. She hadn’t had someone beside her during the doctor’s appointments or someone to run to the grocery store at the last minute.

“Go in!” he commanded, stepping back but remaining on the front lawn, watching as one of his men pulled out some tools and, within seconds, had the front door unlocked.

The ease with which his men were able to disable the lock on Maggie’s front door was just more evidence that she and his daughter were in danger! Ramit wanted both of them on his plane and back home, where he could keep them safe. Once there, he could spoil both of them! Just as Maggie deserved.

As he stood there, surrounded by his guards, Ramit watched as several of his men silently entered the house. They just needed to look around to find some hint as to where Maggie might be. She wasn’t at the club and her car was in the garage. Had someone already discovered that Nadia was his child? Did they have Maggie and Nadia…?

A scream sounded from somewhere in the house. Ramit didn’t wait for an explanation. He rushed inside, ready to battle his guards because he recognized that terrified voice. Maggie was inside! She was inside and she was terrified!

As soon as his eyes adjusted to the darker interior, he discovered Maggie holding a tiny infant, who was also shrieking. Maggie was using her whole body to shield the infant while kicking at his guards, who were keeping their distance.

“Maggie, relax,” Ramit soothed. “It’s just me. We were worried about where you were because you didn’t answer the door.” He used a calming tone, but Maggie’s eyes were still wild, terrified, and rightfully so. Damn it, he’d messed up again! In his zeal to protect his future wife and child, he’d put them in danger!

“What the hell are you doing?” she yelled, her hand covering the baby’s head as she cradled the baby against her chest. “Get the hell out of here! This is my house and you had no right to break in! I’m calling the police! Every one of you will be arrested for this!”

“Maggie, I know that we scared you, but please listen.”

She wiped a tear with her shoulder, never taking her eyes from him and the men who were now filtering out of the small house. One of them closed the front door, but she watched from the large picture window as one of the men stood sentry outside, right in front of the window.

Turning back to Ramit, she glared at him, bouncing Nadia as she tried to soothe the little girl. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”

Ramit took a deep breath, as did Maggie, but she still looked frantic. “Will you come sit down and let me explain?”

She pulled the still-screaming baby closer. “No! Get out of my house Ramit!”

“I can’t do that, love.”

She shook her head and wiped another tear, still bouncing to try to soothe their daughter. “Don’t you dare call me ‘love’, you bastard! You are a lying, hateful ass! And look what you’ve done to Nadia! She was fine before your goons broke into our home and terrified us!”

“I know. That was wrong of me. And I’m so sorry, but we were worried about you when you didn’t answer the door.”

Maggie shifted the baby, still trying to soothe her. “Go away, Ramit. I don’t want you here. And Nadia doesn’t either. We’re fine all by ourselves.”

He was shaking his head even before she finished her statement. “I’m sorry, love, but I can’t do that.” He tilted his head towards the baby. “That’s my daughter. And she can’t be left unprotected.”

The bouncing stopped and Maggie’s eyes widened. “Wait! How is she in danger? Other than from your goons?”

“She’s my heir, honey. She has to be protected. As do you. I have many enemies in the world. As soon as word gets out about you and Nadia, my enemies will use either, or both of you to try to hurt me. Or my country.”

Maggie was silent for a moment, still bouncing and Nadia’s fury seemed to be easing somewhat as well. Maggie stared at him, her big, brown eyes wide with confusion. Slowly, she shook her head, tightening her hold on the baby. “Wait…why would they use Nadia? Or me, to get to you?’

Ramit hesitated for a long moment. Sighing, he gave her the truth. “Because both of you are important to me. They will use my feelings for you to get what they want from me.”

“No!” she whispered, shaking her head.

“It’s not only possible, but probable. Even if someone doesn’t try to extort money from me, my political enemies might use Nadia, or you, to manipulate my country’s policies.”

Obviously, Maggie didn’t quite believe him. “No! That’s not possible!” she gasped, resuming the bouncing. The baby was still crying, unresponsive to Maggie’s touch.

“It’s possible, love.” He nodded towards Nadia. “She’s sensing your feelings, isn’t she? That’s why she won’t settle down?”

“Yes,” Maggie replied, then pulled Nadia back from her chest and looked into her daughter’s red and tear stained face. “It’s okay, honey. Momma’s here. Everything is perfectly fine.” The baby didn’t seem to believe her, but Nadia stopped crying. She looked over at Ramit distrustfully, her tiny mouth still twisted into an angry moue. “See? No bad men. Everything is good.”

Chapter 23

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