Page 19 of Reed

I nod.

“All of it. Even the fucking house.”

My protective instincts kick in and irritation slices through me. I’ve been more than accommodating so far, understanding even, but if he’s going to come in here and start demoralizing my accomplishments, he can go to hell.

“I’m sorry.” He’s quick to respond, as if sensing the change in me. “I didn’t mean to offend you.” Searching my face, he tugs on his hair. “Fuck. I-I’m sure you’re an amazing mom, Gia.” My shoulders relax, and my face softens; he’s trying. “But this”—he waves his hand toward the door—“is not something I’m good at.” He stands and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’m a lawyer.”

I nod, because I already know this. I’m one too, despite the fact he hasn’t recognized that, nor the vitriol that spewed from his lips at the community center.

“I like control.”

I chew on my bottom lip, knowing how much he likes control.Don’t think about it, Gia. Don’t.I’ve spent months trying not to think about the way he makes not only my body, but my mind feel too.

“I don’t do domesticated.” His gaze locks with mine, holding me captive.

He doesn’t want this baby.

He doesn’t want to be a father.

As much as it pains me to do this alone again, I’d already resigned myself to doing it when I couldn’t locate the man I had one crazy night of passion with.

“The last thing I want is to become a father to a dozen kids.”

I open my mouth to correct him, but Bryce throws open the door, making me grit my teeth. “Mom, there’s a man at the door!”

Dear God, I want to scream. “If I have to tell him one more time.”

“It’s probably the doctor,” Reed says.

Confusion hits me.

“I had him on standby.” He smiles at me, as if proud, and I want to castrate the asshole. Still, I grind my teeth and deliver him a tight smile back.

“Excellent. Let’s get this over with, then you can leave.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

REED

I’m laid in bed,staring at the ceiling. It’s a Saturday night, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m alone, not out with multiple women. Or bedding them, for that matter.

Nope, since Wednesday, I’ve barely slept a wink. Instead, my life has been hanging on tenterhooks, waiting for a report from the doctor to tell me if I’m the father of Gia’s baby or not.

I already know I am. I can feel it, sense it, and for some strange reason, when she told me I’ve been the only person she’s slept with in years, I believed her. Normally, I would’ve laughed in a woman’s face, but this one, I believe.

Now all I can think about is: how many years? Who was the last one? Judging by the number of kids she has, she’s gotten around a lot.

When I explained to Owen about her home life, he said he’d look into her more, because there’s no way a Fanzio should be living how she does, but I told him not to bother. I refuse to show too much interest in her and her crowded family. Something about her intrigues me, and I find it terrifying. There’s no way in hell I’m being lumbered with a woman and her gaggle of children, or the brown wolf-looking dog. She has no room in her house for that thing, let alone another baby.

Where is she even going to put it?

Unable to take my thoughts any longer, I roll onto my side and grab my phone from the nightstand to check my emails again.

Nothing.

Why the fuck do I pay this incompetent prick so much money?

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I stare at Owen’s name as a pit of dread washes over me. Thumb trembling, I swipe across to answer the call.

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