Page 13 of Secret Match
Aurelia had been a sweet girl. He’d been three when she was born and sixteen when she died though he never thought about that. His shoulders slumped at the idea of his sister being held somewhere against her will. Was that better than dead?
Kiwi tugged on his arm and excused them to his siblings. “I think we should go and talk to Serenity.”
Victoria, Luke and Caro backed away as if realizing that the subject might be a tender one. Gio turned them toward the house, but Kiwi handed him her plate and clutched her stomach, her eyes wide. “Excuse me. Kiwi, you look sick.”
She curled her nose and took a deep breath. “Probably something I ate.”
He put the plates on a tray meant for garbage and returned to help Kiwi. The moon had climbed higher in the sky since they’d arrived and it was probably after ten. He put his hand on her lower back and escorted her out without saying goodbye. “Let’s get you out of here.”
She nodded. “Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I usually get sick in the morning—then again, I’ve not been out this late since Paris.”
The moment they walked outside his limo service met them at the end of the driveway. He didn’t wait for the driver but opened the door himself as he told Kiwi, “We’ll stay together at my hotel and talk when you feel better.”
“That’s not necessary.” She scooted over to give him room.
Tonight he hadn’t had the chance to show Kiwi that she was important. Meeting the relatives had taken over the evening. Gio held her gaze without blinking. “You’re having my child, Kiwi. There is much to discuss.”
She swallowed like she was barely holding herself together but then held out her finger to demand his attention. “And you can pick me up early in the morning as we have a long drive to West Palm where my mother’s retirement community is.”
“Kiwi, it will be an honor to discuss our future with your mother.” He’d already formulated that he’d have a week in Miami to ensure she was ready to accept him in her life. If not, he’d have to ask Victoria to ensure Kiwi joined them on the second week of the possible merger agreement in Milan.
The limo drove them onto a highway as she asked, “Our future?”
She needed to understand him. Family mattered. Gio shifted on the seat. “Si.I understand entirely why Peter Morgan is desperate to find this Jennifer. Now that I know you’re pregnant, you must know I intend to raise my son.”
She covered her lips with two fingers, her brown eyes snapping. “And if it’s a girl?”
Right. He placed his palm on her knee and leaned closer. “Let me correct myself. My English isn’t the best. I will raise my son or daughter.”
The limo turned onto her street. She lowered her hand, no longer covering her face as she nodded. “Tomorrow morning it is then.”
Without another word she stepped out of the limo and headed inside her condo. His heart beat faster as he watched her disappear into the white lobby. Tonight nothing had gone as planned, but tomorrow he’d drive her himself and they’d spend the day together. She’d see that there was no other choice.
Since the moment he’d lost her, he’d wanted her back and called himself a fool. This time he had a second chance and now that she was having his child, he’d ensure he won. He was a Morgan and his father had once said the world was his for the taking. He didn’t want the world, but he’d do whatever it took to win Kiwi at his side.
Chapter 5
Kiwi finished buttoning the green and yellow dress that she usually kept for church outings and checked her makeup. Lashes, liner, gloss.
She was going to see Gio again.
Her heart raced so fast she feared it might harm her baby.
She gripped the cabinet and closed her eyes.
Somehow, she needed to calm down. What was she worried about?
The father of her baby was a Morgan, which meant her child would have more advantages to everything in life.
She headed out of her bathroom and gazed at the closet.
If she ran away before Gio got here, she wouldn’t have to deal with today. Introducing her mother to Gio had been her plan, but right now, this idea didn’t seem well thought out.
The thought of running percolated as she shuffled toward the refrigerator for a snack, glad she wasn’t sick right now.
But she could sure use sugar. She pushed past the fruit and picked up a chocolate bar she had hidden behind the yogurt for emergencies.
Facing Gio was an emergency.
