Page 14 of Bound by Their Christmas Baby

His laugh was short and sharp. ‘Oh, I don’t know. Money. Power. Calypso prototypes?’

Abby had never hit a man in her life—or anyone, for that matter, but her fingertips itched to strike his arrogant face. ‘You’re a jerk.’

‘I’m the father of your child and, like it or not, I’m in your life now.’

She was very still, waiting for that thought to make sense. But it didn’t. ‘In my life how?’

Gabe shut the fridge door and moved to the pantry. It was almost empty, save for a tin of spaghetti and a bag of pasta.

‘How quickly can you pack a suitcase?’

‘Huh?’ She watched as he stalked back into the small living room.

‘Your wardrobe looked small. I presume you don’t have much. Is there a bag somewhere?’

‘I… No.’ She’d sold her designer set of luggage as soon as she’d mo

ved into the apartment.

‘Fine. I’ll have one sent over.’

‘Gabe, wait.’ She lifted a hand in a determined appeal for his silence. ‘I don’t need a suitcase. I’m not going anywhere.’

He ignored her, speaking as though she hadn’t. ‘It’s too late to depart now. You should go to bed. I’ll…take the chair. We can leave in the morning.’

‘And where exactly do you imagine we’re going?’

‘Italy.’ He reached for his phone and, before she could respond, he began speaking into it. She had not a hope of comprehending as he spoke in his native tongue, but she picked out a few words—bambino…andiamo…subito.

He disconnected the call before giving Abby the full force of his attention.

‘The plane will be ready in the morning. My car is downstairs. Tomorrow, Abigail, we will leave.’

She shook her head emphatically. ‘No!’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m not going to Italy. This is my home. His home. And you… I know you’re his father, but I didn’t tell you so you’d take us away! I just wanted you to know because he’s your child and at some stage he or you might want a relationship. I don’t believe in secrets like this, okay? I have no right to keep a father from his child. But that’s the end of it. I’ve done my part. I told you about Raf, and when he’s older I’ll tell him about you.’

His eyes narrowed and his chest lifted with the force of the deep breath he sucked in. ‘Get ready. This is non-negotiable.’

‘You’re right. It’s non-negotiable. We’re staying here.’

‘Make no mistake about it, Abigail, my son is coming to Italy. I am giving you a chance to come with him. The decision is yours.’

Panic flared in her gut but she hid it behind anger. ‘There’s no way you can do that.’

‘Do you want to test that theory?’

‘You seriously think I’m going to move to a foreign country with a man I hardly know?’

‘No. I think you’re going to move to a foreign country with the man you’re going to marry.’

Her eyes flew wide and for a moment she thought she must have misheard. ‘What did you just say?’

His jaw tightened. ‘You heard me.’

‘But that’s crazy.’

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