Page 3 of Surprise Baby for the Don

For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been a mess, a gambler who can’t hold his luck or his liquor. We’d cut him off months ago, and for good reason. He’s always teetering on the edge, always scrambling to cover a debt he swears will be paid “next week.” The twins have had to have more than a few “conversations” with him over the years, but he never seems to learn.

I glance at the ledger Rocco hands me, flipping it open to Rex’s tab. The numbers are more staggering than I expected. He’s in deep, too deep to get out without robbing a bank or selling his organs on the black market. I’d feel bad for the guy if he didn’t owe me so much fucking money.

“We cut him off.” I sigh, looking to Rocco for confirmation.

“We did. Somehow, he’s still finding credit,” Rocco replies with a nod, his voice dry. “Which, if I may say, Mateo, is part of the problem. He owes you more than most people make in a year.”

My jaw clenches. Rex’s either the bravest man alive or the stupidest. Either way, he’s about to learn that there are limits to my patience, and to my kindness.

“Fine,” I snap motioning toward the door. “Let him in.”

Rocco gives a nod and steps out. A few seconds later, Rex slinks into the room, moving like a man who knows he’s walking into the lion’s den. Yet there’s a slight spring in his step, like he thinks he’s going to fight the lion and win. There’s an excitement in his eye, an air of hope. He’s holding onto something, clutching it like a lifeline.

And that’s when I see her.

She’s waiting just outside, framed by the glass panel next to the door, her eyes cast downward, clutching her bag tightly in her hands. Her long, dark hair falls over her shoulders, framing a face that’s striking even in profile. She’s young, maybe in her mid-twenties, with a quiet beauty that’s uncommon around here. She sticks out like a sore thumb in my hallway. A girl so pretty and so clearly innocent has no place in my world. But I could easily find a place for her in my bed.

Rex closes the door behind him, and I tear my gaze away, focusing on the man in front of me.

“Rex.” I nod curtly, not offering my hand.

“Mr. Rossi,” he replies, his voice wavering just slightly. “Thank you so much for seeing me.”

He tries to discreetly wipe his palms on his pants as he sits down in the chair across from me. He’s nervous, but he wants to come off as brave. He’s at the bottom of the food chain, but he wants to act like he’s an apex predator. It’s his lack of self-awarenessthat’s gotten him in this mess to begin with.

“Don’t thank me yet,” I say, my tone hardening. I gesture for him to sit. “Let’s get down to business. I don’t like surprises, Rex, and you showing up at my home is one hell of a surprise.”

His Adam’s apple bobs and he gulps deeply.

“What I like even less is unpaid debts, and you’re drowning in them.”

He sinks lower in the chair, his hands now fidgeting in his lap unconsciously.

“Mr. Rossi, I know,” he says slowly, with faux humility. “And I appreciate the chance to explain. Things have been rough lately. Real rough. But I’m telling you, I’ll have the money next week.”

I raise an eyebrow, glancing at the ledger.

“You’re in for more than sixty grand, Rex,” I shoot back calmly. “Some of these debts are months old. And you’re telling me that suddenly, this week, you’re going to be good for it? Where exactly are you going to get that much money in one week?”

“I’m an honest man. I’m good for it,” he insists, and there’s a desperation in his eyes that’s almost pitiful. Almost.

“You’ve had months.” I lean forward, my voice dropping to a low decibel so he’s forced to lean in to hear me. “Months to make things right. And instead, your tab’s only grown. So either you’ve won the Illinois lottery, or you’re lying. Either way, I’m not sure I can trust that you’ll take care of this problem by next week.”

He flinches, glancing toward the glass, where the girl is still waiting. She hasn’t moved, her posture rigid, her hands clutching her bag like it’s the only thing anchoring her. My gazefollows his, and something tightens in my chest.

Rex clears his throat, his voice adopting a slick tone I don’t like. “That’s my daughter, you know. Ginny. Isn’t she something?”

I keep my expression impassive, but my mind sharpens with a sudden clarity. His daughter? The girl standing out there, looking like she’s about to bolt, is his kid? He shouldn’t have dragged her into this, the slimy piece of shit. It’s hard to ignore that she was indeed,something. While making sure to keep an intimidating glare on Rex, I couldn’t help but steal looks at his daughter outside. She was gorgeous, yeah, but her obvious anxiousness awoke something else in me. I wanted to care for her innocent soul, something that just couldn’t be done if you were within a 100-mile radius of me.

I lean back, folding my arms over my chest. “And you brought her here why, exactly?”

A slow smile creeps onto Rex’s face, a gleam in his eyes that makes my skin crawl. “She’s…” he hesitates, trying to form the words. “Well, she’s got an eye for design, you see. That’s her thing. She’s looking to get into interior design, make a career out of it, you know? And I just thought maybe you could use a little touch-up around here.”

The words hang in the air, his meaning sinking in. I glance at the ledger, at the massive debt that sits there like a brick. He’s desperate, willing to do whatever it takes. Even offer up his own daughter.

“Let me get this straight,” I say slowly, my voice dripping with disdain. “You bring your daughter here, offer for her to wallpaper my office, and expect that’s going to settle your debt? That’s like trying to wash dishes at a restaurant to cover a billyou can’t afford, Rex. But it’s even worse because you’re forcing your kid to do the washing for you.”

He shifts uncomfortably, but there’s a glint of stubbornness in his eyes. “Just give her a shot,” he pleads, the desperation in his voice reaching a fever pitch. “She’s good, Mr. Rossi. Real good. She could make this place look…” he pauses, searching for a word that won’t offend, “respectable. And I’ll be able to pay you back.”

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