Page 33 of Naughty Santa Daddy

“Should I get Granny? I know shit about this kind of thing.”

“This kind of thing?” I manage to croak.

“You know, the female stuff,” he adds.

Oh right. My period. Or lack thereof this morning. And come to think of it, I’m off schedule. Something else that I’m never.

I roll to the side, landing on my butt. The look on Braxton’s face brings a smile, making me forget my upset stomach.

“I’m taking you to a doctor.”

I shake my head. “I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will. You’re seeing a doctor.”

“I thought we were to keep her out of sight until the threat is eliminated,” Drake remarks from the bathroom door.

“Sounds like you need a disguise,” Granny chimes in. “I’m on it.”

Oh great. I pin a look on Braxton. This place has no privacy.

“I’ll call my doctor too,” Granny’s voice booms throughout the main floor.

I blow out a long breath. I can’t believe I’m here. How the hell did I lose control of my life? When Granny returned armed with a disguise announcing the doctor would see me right away, Braxton would hear no arguments. He practically dressed me himself while barking orders at Drake to get the car ready. I wanted to laugh when he said Drake and Granny were not to be trusted home alone, but I felt my stomach roll again and held back my amusement.

Now, after Granny’s not-so-discreet attempt at sneaking me into the office from the rear entrance, she and Drake are guarding the parking lot and here I am, stretched out in thedoctor’s office looking like Mrs. Roper, complete with moo-moo, wig, and God-awful sunglasses. I flip the glasses up into the red locks and smile up at Braxton, waiting for the doctor to return.

“Everything appears to be normal, but let’s take a look to be positive,” the doctor declares as she reappears in the room.

I tilt my head back to watch the nurse rolling in some sort of portable machine behind her. Braxton squeezes my hand, concern still etched above his eyes. The cold, clear jelly landing just below my belly button takes me by surprise, and I flinch.

Braxton leans forward. “You alright?” But before I can answer, he whirls toward the doctor. “What’s wrong with her?”

Dr. McKinsy smiles to punctuate her optimism. “I’m sure she’s fine. We’re just going to take a look since she took a tumble.”

She’s young, the doctor. My guess would be early thirties if I were a betting woman. I know nothing more than that about her other than Granny trusts her, so Braxton trusts her. And I trust Braxton.

“Perfectly healthy,” the doctor announces.

I haven’t taken my eyes off Braxton. His shoulders relax, and he squints at the machine. I toss my head to the side and there it is on the screen, in black and white. A tiny dot that looks out of place.

“Just as I suspected,” Dr. McKinsy begins. “I’d say you’re...”

“Thirty-one days!” I blurt, cutting off her words.

I know because exactly thirty-one days ago, I was in a stranger’s truck bed camper, having a mind-boggling romp with a man I thought I’d never see again. And look at him now, standing next to me, grinning like a Cheshire cat that’s emptied the canary cage.

I know the doctor is talking, and I nod on reflex, but I have no comprehension of what she is saying. My mind is reeling from this unexpected discovery. A baby. Braxton's baby. Our baby. Yeah. I’m not the least bit upset about this turn of events.

Goliath

Today has been a rollercoaster. From the worry that Alex was sick or had internal damage from the kidnapping to the high of discovering I’m going to be a father. Now, throw Miller into the mix, sitting across the table from me, staring me down.

“No one knows she is here. She will be safe until you come back for her,” Miller repeats what he thinks will happen.

My focus remains on my president as I fall back into my seat, folding my arms over my chest. Drake fills the corner of my vision. His smug grin is evident; he knows what’s about to come, but he won’t say a word. We agreed to keep the baby a secret until this fiasco is buried. Knowledge of a new heir to the Allegrini empire would put Alex in more danger.

“Not happening. Alex goes where I go,” I grind out, punctuating each word with a pause. How can I protect my woman and my baby if they are not with me?

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