Page 12 of Baby Mine

Ettore frowned. “Surely that’s something one of the managers can take point on.”

“One could, but you will do it.”

Jada gazed from one of the men to the other and felt the tension between them. Something told her Ettore didn’t appreciate Renzo pulling rank, and Renzo wasn’t going for what she’d noticed already as the lazy rich boy attitude from Ettore. They faced off against each other, and she would have no part of it. She tugged free of Renzo’s hold and turned in time to spot their uncle headed in her direction. She swallowed a groan. Even if there could be something long term between her and Renzo, Gianni Mariani made her want to catch the next plane back home just to avoid his evil.

Gianni stopped a few steps from the three of them. “I need to talk to you, Renzo.”

“That’s my cue. I’m going to take care of some business of my own.” She stepped around Gianni, but he reached out a hand to catch her arm. The grip was tighter than necessary, and she glared at him. “Three seconds.”

His face reddened, and he dropped his hand to his side. “I need to speak with both of you. This has to do with her, Renzo, if we can talk in your office?”

She rolled her eyes and followed the two men into Renzo’s office. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that Ettore escaped out the front door, and she wished she could join him. Unfortunately, Renzo guided her as if she were a delicate flower to the couch against one wall and ma

de sure of her comfort before he took the seat behind his desk.

“What’s this about, Uncle?”

Gianni’s gaze swung from Renzo to her and back again. He flipped his suit jacket back and stuffed two fingers from each hand into his pockets. Jada smirked. She assumed that said he meant business.

“You are not the only man she was seeing in Venice,” Gianni announced.

Silence reigned.

“Excuse me?” A vein stood out on Renzo’s forehead.

Jada longed for a glass of water as her mouth had become the Sahara. She stared at Gianni, marveling at the man’s gall, but then, he wasn’t lying. Not yet anyway. When she turned her gaze to Renzo, it was to find him watching her with a frown marring his handsome face. She flushed, knowing he must have determined there was truth in his uncle’s words. Still she remained silent.

The triumph in Gianni’s stance from her reaction was obvious. “I did my own investigation into Ms. Thompson’s time in Venice. You were not the only man she was seeing. There was another, a hotel employee. Not one from the hotel she stayed at, but he worked for a local establishment. His name is—”

“Antonio Furlon,” Jada supplied. “I can’t believe you are that anal and spiteful that you would look into my background, but maybe that’s how y’all do. How did you find out anyway? Did you bribe someone?”

Renzo took his time coming to his feet. “So what he’s saying is true, Jada?”

She stood up as well. “It’s true. I went out with him a couple times.”

“And you’ve already established yourself as a whore, so it stands to reason the child you’re carrying could be this Antonio’s,” Gianni cut in.

In seconds, Renzo was around his desk and had his uncle by the collar. The crack of his fist connecting with the older man’s jaw resounded through the room. Jada let out a little scream and covered her mouth. Her eyes widened so much they hurt. When Gianni Mariani hit the floor, the shock in his expression mixed with confusion at Renzo’s attack.

“I warned you once,” Renzo bit out between clenched teeth, and Jada swallowed. She put a shaky hand to her face to brush back hair from her clammy forehead and worked to pull herself together. The Italian temper was legendary, but to see it firsthand and in Renzo set her nerves on edge. Not that she feared him. Instinct and the way he treated her gave her a strong impression that Renzo would never be violent with her. Besides, if he were, she’d do what she had to do to bring him down as effectively as he’d just done to his uncle.

In clear embarrassment, Gianni struggled to his feet. He brushed non-existent dirt from his pants legs and then straightened. “You can attack me all you want, Renzo, but the truth about this woman is clear.”

Renzo cast his uncle another warning glance, and Jada almost laughed at the way the older man moved out of reach of his nephew while fishing in his pocket for something. A handkerchief appeared in his palm, and he wiped a spot of blood from his lip. Jada’s sensitive stomach turned and she redirected her gaze.

“Leave us,” Renzo commanded.

Gianni began to protest, but Renzo glared. The door opened and closed, and they were alone. Renzo moved to sit and drew her down beside him. He reached out and raised her chin. “Tell me about this other man.”

She hesitated, feeling resentful, but decided to answer. “There’s nothing to tell. Just like I said, we went out a couple of times. I didn’t sleep with him.”

Renzo studied her face for a few minutes, saying nothing. At last, he leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Today, my family will host a wine-tasting. We’re introducing a new line, and I want you there with me.”

“You know I can’t drink, right?”

“You don’t have to.”

He stood and moved to his desk to shuffle through some papers. Jada remained where she was, wondering if that was all the discussion they would have on the subject. Renzo didn’t appear ready to challenge her claim she carried his child or question how extensively she’d dated Antonio. Gianni might have expected more of a reaction against her from Renzo, but she was glad the arrogant asshole had been shot down. The question she kept asking herself was why Renzo would continue on with her as if nothing happened. Maybe he just wanted a baby more than anything.

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