Page 4 of The Convenient Cosentino Wife

“I’ve brought him gifts.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“Not kind. Essential. I am determined to make amends, as well as make up for lost time. To think I’ve had a nephew for years and am only meeting him today.” Rocco’s brilliant gaze looked at her, most intently. “When can I meet him? Is he here?”

“He is here. I never leave him. But he’s napping at the moment. I still insist on an afternoon nap, otherwise he becomes a little bear, cranky and unreasonable.”

“That doesn’t sound like Marius.”

“No? Perhaps he’s inherited those traits from me.” She smiled thinly as it crossed her mind they were no longer united in grief. Adriano had given her a purpose for living. His birth had centered her, strengthened her. He depended on her and she wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—harm her child.

Rocco set his flute down. “Want to fill me in on the parts I’ve missed?”

His voice was so gentle it made the hair on her nape rise. She didn’t trust his tone, didn’t trust him. Rocco was not a man to be trifled with. Fortunately, she was a woman not easily intimidated. “Which part?” she asked, crossing her legs.

“The part where my dead brother fathers a child.”

Her gaze met his and held. So that’s what this was about. Rocco didn’t believe her. Interesting. But honestly, she didn’t care. She didn’t need him, or his money or his acceptance. She didn’t need a damn thing from him. “It seems I conceived before Marius died.”

His brow lifted. “It was possible.”

Clare bit her tongue hard, holding back her indignation. She couldn’t let him know how much he upset her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. After a moment she smiled. “Is that a question, or a statement? Can’t tell from your tone.”

“I just find it ironic.”

“Maybe we should switch to Italian as I’m concerned about your word choices in English. It’s not ironic, it’s tragic.” Her chin lifted, and her eyes blazed. “It’s tragic that I have a beautiful little boy who will never know his father. Tragic because Marius was the one anxious for children and I was in no hurry as I just wanted to enjoy being a newlywed. Marius’s bride.” Her throat threatened to close but she fought hard to keep her emotions in check. “But God had different plans for me and so here we are, a mother and a son.”

“And an uncle,” Rocco added.

She lifted an eyebrow. “It doesn’t sound as if you want to be an uncle.”

“I don’t want to be played, that’s all.”

“And why would I do that, Rocco? What would I get out of it?”

He ignored her questions and asked another of his own. “You’ve had a DNA test? For confirmation?”

Clare held her breath and briefly closed her eyes. She would not curse Rocco Cosentino. She would not spit at him. She would not spew a stream of livid, hostile remarks at him, no matter how arrogant he should be.

She opened her eyes and looked at him directly, her gaze locking with his. “I don’t need one. I was a virgin when we met. There had been no one else in my life. Marius was my first, my only, and most likely my last. I have no desire to replace him, ever.”

Rocco just looked at her, intently. But she found his silence insulting, nearly as insulting as her need to discuss her private life. “Besides, it doesn’t matter what you think. Adriano is my baby, my son. I don’t need to prove anything to you.” Clare was so angry she was trembling, but so far she’d kept her voice even. “I think you should go.”

“I’ve come a long way to meet him.”

“So?”She laughed, simultaneously amused and livid. “Am I supposed to feel badly for you?”

“This isn’t about me.”

“No?” Clare set her glass down and rose. “You could have fooled me.” She looked to the doorway where Gio stood in the shadows and nodded once.

Rocco noted her nod and growled with displeasure. “You’re throwing me out?”

“We have nothing to say to each other after all.”

“I want to see my nephew.”

“No, you don’t. You came to shame me and I won’t be shamed. Yes, Adriano was born out of wedlock, but that’s because his father died two days before the wedding.” Her lips quivered and she could feel the hot sting of tears in her eyes, but she smiled fiercely to keep the tears from falling. “Marius always defended you, saying that you couldn’t help the way you were, that you’d been hit with too much too soon, but that’s not my problem. It’s not Adriano’s problem, either. So, no, I don’t want you to meet my baby. Not today, and maybe not ever.”

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