Page 25 of Satisfying the King

“I saw you out my window—” I started to say but he interrupted.

“When?” he asked sharply, and a little bit off fear entered my heart.What if I told him this and he got mad? Or thought I was a complete flake?

I took a deep breath and continued like I knew I had to. “Ages ago. You were outside with Stefan and one of the contractors. And as soon as I saw you, I—” I said and then my voice failed me. Because so many memories came flooding back in.

Gosh.

Seeing him for the first time had been a life-changing experience. And I didn’t even know him—had never even met him.

“You what?” Carlo’s voice rasped out and my heart was nearly squeezed to death.

“I don’t know, Carlo,” I breathed out quietly.

His eyes flew over my face. “Answer me,” he warned. “I want to know what you were going to say.”

Tears fell from eyes, but neither of us moved a muscle. “I don’t know, Carlo. Because I’d never felt—the way you made me feel. I can’t explain it.”

I bit my lip and tried to think of my next words. “Then Dani crawled up to me. And when I picked her up, I pointed to you out the window and I said,” I shut my eyes and hoped like heck he wouldn’t be offended by what I was about to say. Because he might hate me for it.

I’d been out of line.

Completely.

I opened my eyes and a fresh flood of tears fell.

How was I supposed to know my kid would remember what I told her?She was so young—I figured she’d forget.

Carlo’s eyes glared into mine. His fingertips dug harder into my skin. “You said what?” The sharpness in his tone nearly cut me in two.

“I said,” I took one more deep breath, “do you want to see your new daddy?”

Carlo’s eyes flared.

And part of me was afraid.

A big part of me.

“You took one fucking look at me and told Daniella I was her new daddy?” He let go of my chin.

I pursed my lips together and nodded. Oh, my gosh. Hearing him say it out loud made me sound even dumber.Why did I just tell him the truth?I should have left it buried.

His hands grabbed my shoulders, and he bent down slightly. “You took one fucking look at me,” his eyes were so intense, I thought I might faint, “and told your daughter I was her new daddy?”

It felt like he was a huge beast, ready to gobble me down in one giant bite. And no one would be any the wiser.

“Answer me!” he yelled in my face and made me jump.

“Yes, yes, that’s what I told her.” My body shivered as panic flowed through my veins.

Carlo was pissed.

At me.

“Fuck me,” he muttered and then—

Oh.

My.

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