Page 53 of Bossy Ex's Brother

“Have you been with anyone else since me?” he asked, his voice cracking through the silence like thunder. I was so surprised to hear him speak that it took a second for what he said to sink in.

And when it did, I glared at him. The question stung.

“No,” I snapped automatically. “You think I’m someone who just sleeps around with random men? Heck, I hadn’t even been with anyone for nearly a year before I met you.”

I saw some satisfaction flash across his gaze, but it was gone before I could be sure. He nodded and said, “So it’s my baby.”

“As much as I hate to admit it,” I said. I was pregnant with Luca Rossi’s baby—Luca being my boss and my ex’s brother. Anannoying asshole who ran several clubs and probably spent at least some of his nights drinking and carousing with women.

I messed up. Bad.

No matter what I told my brother, I knew Luca wasn’t father material in the least bit. And I wasn’t mother material either. I didn’t have the time or money for a child. I’d barely figured out my own life as it was.

Luca walked forward, finally coming to stand by my side. I didn’t like the way he loomed over me, but I wasn’t inclined to get up and face him. He crossed his arms over his chest. “So, are you going to keep it?”

Contrary to his expression, his voice didn’t sound like he cared one way or another. It was like he was just curious.Probably just asking because he doesn’t want to pay child support and doesn’t want anything to do with the kid if I keep it.

God, it was ridiculous that just moments ago, I was beginning to think he cared about me beyond being an occasional fuck buddy. It was in the way he’d held me back at the bar, even when I had vomit on me. He’d carried me in here so carefully and held me in his arms so gently that I felt my heart melt. It was dangerous. Even when I thought Lucas didn’t care about me, it was hard to control my feelings around him. But when he did stuff like that…it was like my emotions betrayed me, seeking out a fantasy that did not exist.

I turned away from him as he was still waiting for my answer.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

He didn’t push any further. “I’m going to see when the doctor can get you discharged.”

He turned and walked out. In those few seconds following, I felt more alone than I’d ever felt in my life.

Luca was back in a few minutes with the discharge papers and a new shirt that he’d snagged from God-knows-where. AfterI took off my vomit-stained shirt and put it on, we walked through the hospital and back to the car in silence. He was by my side the entire time and stuck close as if he wasn’t completely sure that I was steady on my feet. He even opened the door to the car for me, an unusually gentlemanly move, before going around to get into his seat.

We were both quiet as he drove, both of us probably lost in thought. That was until I realized he had driven past the club.

I frowned. “Where are we going?”

“Home,” he said.

“Your home?” I asked, and he nodded.

I shook my head. “No. The kids will be home soon, and I told them I’d be back early today. If I’m not home when they get there, Angel might start freaking out. She was already terrified this morning that something would happen.”

Luca’s lips tightened as he thought about it for a few seconds, and then he nodded. “Fine.”

I blinked at him, surprised. I didn’t think he would capitulate that easily. I thought I would have to persuade and convince him some more. It was like the shock probably discombobulated him as much as it did me.

When we got there, Luca parked the car in front of our home. Then, he came around to let me out.

Then he came around the car, letting me out.

Once my feet touched the ground, another wave of nausea hit me, and I had to grip the door to keep from swooning.

“What’s wrong?” His hands instantly caught me by the waist, clear concern in his voice.

“Nothing. I just felt a little like hurling again.” God, this nausea just wouldn’t go away. I was tempted to start dry heaving again. I knew, realistically, there was likely nothing left in my stomach to puke out, but I wanted to get it all out anyway.

I stood there until it subsided and then took a step forward. Luca wrapped his hand around my waist, walking with me and bearing most of my weight. I thought he would swing me into his arms again, but he probably didn’t want vertigo to upset me. I unlocked the door, and Luca pulled it open before I could, walking me to the couch.

“Sit,” he ordered, even as he placed me in the chair himself.

“Are you always this bossy?” I quipped, but he shot me a quelling look. Then he went to the kitchen and immediately peeked into my fridge before he started pulling stuff out.

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