Page 29 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

I take a deep swig of my wine to swallow down the unsettled feelings about Chloe’s odd behavior. It’s as if she’s forgotten all about the terrible things Dom put me through, and all she cares about now is keeping me away from Lucas.

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We finish our dinner and make our way back to the car, the lingering tension between us making the darkness seem even more oppressive. As Chloe and I walk through the dimly lit parking lot, tension hangs heavy in the air between us. The flickering lampposts cast distorted shadows on the asphalt, making me feel even more unsettled than I already am. But it’s not just the darkness that’s getting to me—it’s the uncertainty of where my friendship with Chloe now stands.

I prepare to break the ice, maybe something about our next wedding-planning adventure, anything to get her back to the Chloe I love.

“Emily, what the fuck?” Her face falls as her voice crackles with fear.

I whip around and see a group of dark, intimidating figures emerge from the shadows of an alleyway. My heart races as they approach us, their bodies bulky and imposing. One man steps forward, his smug grin giving him away immediately.

“Hey there, beautiful,” Carlo coos, eyeing me up and down like I’m a piece of meat. “Fancy running into you here.”

“Carlo,” I say coolly, masking the unease crawling under my skin. “What do you want?”

“Can’t a guy just say hello?” he replies, feigning innocence. But his eyes tell a different story—hungry and predatory.

“Emily, get in the car,” Chloe urges, her hand shaking as she fumbles with the keys. Judging from her last run-in with him at the gym, she knows his intentions are bad.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” Carlo drawls, stepping closer to me. His breath reeks of alcohol and cheap cologne. He glances at Chloe. “And look it here. The two of Lucas’s mistresses, together. How unusual. Ménage à trois?” He licks his lips. “You’d have more fun with us, I swear.”

My stomach churns at his insinuation, but I refuse to let him see how much he’s getting to me. Instead, I focus on Lucas—his strong arms wrapped around me, his unwavering dedication to everything he holds dear. A surge of defiance fills me, and I muster up the courage to stand my ground.

“Thanks for the offer,” I say through gritted teeth, “but I’d rather walk through a pit of fire.”

“Your loss,” Carlo shrugs, but his eyes narrow with annoyance. He lets out a sinister laugh.

“Emily!” Chloe calls out again, her voice trembling. She’s managed to unlock the car, and she’s waving me towards it.

Carlo’s laughter dies down as his expression turns cold, his eyes boring into mine. “Lucas isn’t what you think, sweetheart. He’s crazy. Can’t hold his shit.” He spits onto the pavement. “You deserve a real man.”

My blood boils from his trash talk, knowing Lucas is a million times a better man than Carlo. My hands clench into fists, every fiber of my being urging me to lash out at this arrogant fool.

“Lucas may be many things,” I say, my voice steady but ice cold, “but he’s not crazy. He’s a master at his craft and is at the top of his game. Be prepared to be left in the dust.” I watch his brows furrow. “And don’t forget, you’re the one skulking around in dark alleys, trying to intimidate women. Who’s the loser here?”

Chloe’s eyes widen as she watches our exchange, her body stiff with tension. She looks like she’s about to piss herself. I can’t blame her for feeling scared, but I refuse to let Carlo’s threats dictate my actions.

“You should watch your mouth,” Carlo hisses, stepping closer, eyes narrowed. His thugs shift their weight, sizing up the situation.

Carlo studies me and I can see the cogs turning in his head, weighing up the potential consequences of pushing me further. He scoffs and steps back, waving a dismissive hand.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, princess,” he says, voice dripping with disdain.

“Trust me,” I reply, my tone matching his, “I won’t lose any sleep over you.”

Chloe finally unfreezes and rushes over, grabbing my arm and practically drags me toward the car, casting fearful glances at Carlo and his thugs as we leave them behind. As we pull out of the parking lot, my heart still races with adrenaline, but I feel a huge sense of pride in standing up to Carlo.

“Emily,” Chloe blasts, her voice shaking, “what the fuck was that?”

She stares over at me in disbelief as we drive away from Lucas’s biggest rival, still shaking his head, not knowing what hit him.

Chapter Fourteen (Lucas)

The gym is filled with adrenaline and sweat, as training and planning for Dubai are in full swing. Taking Walker Enterprises to the world championship in Dubai is the next move in bringing new sponsorships, title-holding fighters, and insane financial growth. I don’t take for granted for a second that Emily helped make it all possible, so it’s clear to me that my future planning includes her.

I’m in the middle of training my fighters when my phone buzzes with a text from Chloe. She says her car’s tire is making a weird squeaking sound, and since she’s in the neighborhood, she wants me to help her. I sigh, but I can’t deny that taking care of my little sister is part of the assignment, so I slip on my jacket and grab the gym’s toolbox.

As I walk out into the parking lot, I see Chloe’s car pulling up. She parks like she owns the place, blocking two perfectly good spots. Her sunglasses rest on her nose, giving her an air of entitlement as she steps out. She waves at me like I’m her personal mechanic or something.

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