Accidental Fate by M.A. Stacie Read Free Book Online

reached around her to press the buzzer she realized the woman had continued to scream into the monitor.
    "Leo?"
    He cleared his throat, inhaling deeply before he looked her in the eyes.
    "Who is she?" Erin asked, her stomach sinking as a multitude of scenarios played out in her head.
    "That… She… Carlie," he stumbled. "The woman outside is Carlie, Joe's mother."
    "Oh!"
    Leo's fists clenched, annoyance oozing from every pore. What kind of woman turned up at this time of night, knowing their son slept? Her own rage bloomed, coursed through her body. She placed a hand on his back in a show of support and to keep him from racing downstairs.
    "Leo? Is she…?"
    "I don't know." Leo gulped. "But if she thinks she's come to take my son, she's very, very wrong."

Chapter 5

    Leo raged. What kind of woman played with lives the way Carlie did? Only now was he adjusting to life as a father. She didn't have a hope in hell if she sought to take that away. He would fight with everything he possessed.
    "Should I leave?" Erin asked, chewing her lower lip nervously.
    Leo shook his head, reaching out and cupping her face.
    "No, but it would be best if you got dressed. I don't know what to expect from her. I'm going to apologize in advance if she says anything to upset you."
    "I can take care of myself." She nuzzled his palm. "I just don't want my presence making matters worse."
    "By her reaction just now, I doubt that could happen. Besides, I need you," he confessed, kissing her lips softly.
    Erin exhaled softly as his lips met hers again. This kiss was quick, just enough to soothe him.
    "I'd hate to leave. I want to support. I'll stay as long as it doesn't spiral out of control."
    The loud footsteps up the stairs had Leo flinching and Erin gasping. Leo remained frozen, desperate to calm his erratic heartbeat. He shouldn't be inviting her inside; he should be consulting a lawyer about her desertion.
    He watched Erin as she scuttled back to the bedroom, shooting him an anxious smile before she disappeared.
    Taking care of Joe had been difficult, but he wouldn't allow her to come back into their son's life. Not until he'd gained some answers. His need to protect Joe from hurt ran so deep it rocked him to his very core. He would do anything to make sure his son stayed safe, even from his own mother.
    The sharp knock on the door had him inhaling sharply and muttering to himself to calm down. It wouldn't help to be as aggressive as Carlie; it would only wake Joe. So as much as he wanted to shout at her, when he opened the door he simply ground out her name.
    "Who's the tramp?" Carlie spat before she'd even stepped into the apartment.
    Leo took a deep breath, trying not to let her anger him more than she already had.
    "I don't think that matters, does it?" he stated calmly.
    She scowled, her green eyes thinning into slits. Anger stained her cheeks pink, and one quick look at her clenched hands alerted him to just how angry she was.
    "Does she know you don't do permanent? Told her one-nighters are the only way for you?"
    "My relationship with Erin isn't up for discussion."
    " Relationship? " Carlie gasped.
    He wasn't sure what to say—not that it mattered. Carlie wasn't going to cool down, though he didn't want to make her any worse.
    "Look, can we leave Erin out of this and get to why you've come?"
    Leo slumped onto the couch, hoping she would take his lead and do the same. She didn't. Instead, she seemed to enjoy looking down at him.
    "Our son?" He pointed out when she didn't respond.
    Carlie rolled her eyes. "What? Didn't the player want to be a daddy? Bit late now, isn't it?"
    He winced at her condescending tone. He also wouldn't mind shaking her for not even asking about Joe. She was glaring at him as if she expected an answer, chewing her gum as she cocked a hip impatiently.
    "Aren't you going to ask about him?"
    Carlie shrugged. "If there was anything wrong you would've called me."
    "You didn't leave your number," Leo whispered, barely