Page 50 of Vegas Baby

“Raina, I…am I interrupting something?” a familiar voice asked, cutting into the sensual haze encompassing Howler’s mind.

Howler raised his head and moved his hand from her ass to her waist. He took a step back and met Miller’s cool regard. How had he ever missed the resemblance between his wife and her father? It was there, in plain sight. “If I said yes, would it matter?”

“No.” Miller shook his head and held out his hand. Vivid blue eyes so much like his daughter’s, cut right through Howler.

Howler returned the handshake.

Miller squeezed his hand a bit harder than necessary but Howler didn’t flinch. The guy was a dick and he’d be damned if he’d lose the upper hand. He’d dealt with men like Miller through his entire career and they respected strength more than tact. “I didn’t think so,” he said.

Staring at the slightly shorter man, Howler returned the pressure, unwilling to back down. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Miller was being protective but Miller thought about one person, himself.

“Did you need something, Miller?” she said in cool, professional tone.

“Do I need a reason to talk to my little girl?”

“I’m not a little girl and please, stop trying to intimidate my husband. You know it won’t work.”

Howler’s chest swelled with pride. Raina was no pushover when it came to her father. Good.

Miller snapped his head around, eyes narrowed. Raina cocked a brow, nonplussed and the older man’s lips curled into a sheepish smile. Miller dropped Howler’s hand and settled his own on his hips. “Brandi said you two are staying married. Is that true?”

“Yes, it’s true.” Howler inhaled a cleansing breath and settled in for an uncomfortable conversation. They’d decided each would tell their own families about the baby when the time was right.

“I see,” Miller said, hands on his hips.

“We’ve decided to give our marriage a chance and before you ask, yes, we have a prenup, protecting both of our assets in case we do split. And no, I didn’t marry her to get to you. I don’t need your money.” He held his stare, daring the other man to respond negatively to his challenge.

Tension filled the room for a heartbeat before Miller nodded, dropping his competitive stance. “You’re a ballsy son-of-a-bitch, just like me. I like that.”

Not even fucking close. “Let’s try to get along for Raina sake.” He looked back at Raina, her shoulders set in a rigid line. He moved to her side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her close to his side, wanting to comfort her and uncertain why.

“And for the sake of our baby,” Raina said, resting her head against his shoulder.

Miller shook his head, eyes darting from Howler to Raina. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes, I am. Don’t worry, I’ll still be working for the team but we’ll have to make a few changes once the baby comes.”

“A grandfather?” Miller plopped down in the nearest chair, a sickly color under his tan. Raina had been right; he wasn’t taking this well. “I’m going to be a grandfather.”

“Yes.” Raina linked her fingers with Howler, a slight quiver to her voice. He squeezed her hand, his fingertip touching the ring on her hand; the ring tying her to him and a child that bound them both to something bigger than themselves.

Raina clutched Howler’s hand like a lifeline. She hadn’t expected Miller to barge into her office, especially at such an inopportune moment. Tapping his foot on the floor, Miller glanced about the room, a caged animal wanting to escape.

Past experience made her careful to use her words wisely. She had wanted to ignore the obvious and not tell him about the baby. Except she rarely saw him and there might not be another opportunity. “Things will have to change at work after the baby is born.”

“How do you propose you do your job?” Miller asked.

Her stomach sunk. After the shock wore off, he was in attack mode. Typical Miller. Huffing out a breath, she straightened her spine and met his harsh stare. Never show weakness; pretend you don’t care. Something Miller had taught her well. “I can either bring the child to work with me, or I can step down and take a less prominent role with the team.”

Howler’s fingers flexed against hers. He was shocked by her revelation as Raina was herself. She loved her job but there was more to life than work.

Miller rose from the chair and shook his head, arms crossed over his chest. “No, absolutely not.”

A slow burning rage rushed into her very core and she curled her free hand into a fist, nails biting into her palm. “No? What do you mean no?”

“I mean neither of those options are acceptable to me.”

“Then what do you propose?” she said in her coldest voice. I abandon the baby because she’s no longer cute and talks back, calling you on your bullshit?

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