Page 167 of The Bonus

My heart twists as I remember that night.

Dominic frowns, his eyes flick to me for confirmation and I nervously smile and take his hand under the table.

“And your mom moved here and I stayed in New York and I was very sad for a very long time.”

Huh…

What the fuck is he doing?

“Then one day your mom found out that she was pregnant, and she was so excited to have two little babies in her stomach.” He smiles softly over at me.

I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.

“You know when the doctors came over to your house and they had those swabs that you put into your mouth and they cut a little piece of your hair?”

Lucia nods in an overdramatic way.

“Well, that test told us that…” He looks around at us all again as if searching for divine guidance. “I’m your father.”

Dominic stares at him, emotionless.

“What did you say?” Lucia frowns.

“I’m your father.” He gives a lopsided smile. “I’m very excited about it and I hope you are too.”

Lucia’s eyes widen. “Father…like a dad?” she gasps.

“Yes.” He smiles. “Like a dad.”

Dominic drops his pizza onto his plate.

“Yay.” I smile awkwardly as my eyes flick around to everyone at the table. “Isn’t this exciting?”

“Yes.” Lucia jumps up and bounces over to Gabriel and he gives her a hug.

“I thought you were my dad,” she lies.

Gabriel chuckles as he pushes the hair back from her face. “Did you, now?”

My heart melts at the sight of the two of them, and then I glance over to see Dominic glaring at me. “What have you got to say, baby?”

“I don’t want a father,” he says flatly. “Can we go home now? I’m tired.”

Gabriel’s face falls.

Little shit.

“No, we’re staying here and having pizza like we planned. Gabriel has moved here all the way from New York to get to know you, and you will be polite.”

There’s no treading lightly with Dominic, I have to be blunt with him about this from the get-go.

He pushes his plate forward in protest. “I’m not hungry anymore and I want to go home.”

Gabriel’s unimpressed eyes flick over to him and I know I have to defuse the situation before it turns into a full-blown argument.

“No, Dominic, you will not spoil this moment,” I say sternly. “If you can’t be nice, go and wait in the living room and watch the television. You do not get to dictate how this night goes. This is very exciting news for you and Lucia.”

He’s as stubborn as a mule and Lucia deserves better than for him to ruin this. He stomps off out of the room, Gabriel’s hurt eyes follow him and then come to meet mine.

---