Baby Mine by Tressie Lockwood Read Free Book Online Page B

obvious. “I did my own
investigation into Ms. Thompson’s time in Venice. You were not
the only man she was seeing. There was another, a hotel employee. Not
one from the hotel she stayed at, but he worked for a local
establishment. His name is—”
    “ Antonio Furlon,”
Jada supplied. “I can’t believe you are that anal and
spiteful that you would look into my background, but maybe that’s
how y’all do. How did you find out anyway? Did you bribe
someone?”
    Renzo took his time coming to his
feet. “So what he’s saying is true, Jada?”
    She stood up as well. “It’s
true. I went out with him a couple times.”
    “ And you’ve already
established yourself as a whore, so it stands to reason the child
you’re carrying could be this Antonio’s,” Gianni
cut in.
    In seconds, Renzo was around his
desk and had his uncle by the collar. The crack of his fist
connecting with the older man’s jaw resounded through the room.
Jada let out a little scream and covered her mouth. Her eyes widened
so much they hurt. When Gianni Mariani hit the floor, the shock in
his expression mixed with confusion at Renzo’s attack.
    “ I warned you once,”
Renzo bit out between clenched teeth, and Jada swallowed. She put a
shaky hand to her face to brush back hair from her clammy forehead
and worked to pull herself together. The Italian temper was
legendary, but to see it firsthand and in Renzo set her nerves on
edge. Not that she feared him. Instinct and the way he treated her
gave her a strong impression that Renzo would never be violent with
her. Besides, if he were, she’d do what she had to do to bring
him down as effectively as he’d just done to his uncle.
    In clear embarrassment, Gianni
struggled to his feet. He brushed non-existent dirt from his pants
legs and then straightened. “You can attack me all you want,
Renzo, but the truth about this woman is clear.”
    Renzo cast his uncle another
warning glance, and Jada almost laughed at the way the older man
moved out of reach of his nephew while fishing in his pocket for
something. A handkerchief appeared in his palm, and he wiped a spot
of blood from his lip. Jada’s sensitive stomach turned and she
redirected her gaze.
    “ Leave us,” Renzo
commanded.
    Gianni began to protest, but
Renzo glared. The door opened and closed, and they were alone. Renzo
moved to sit and drew her down beside him. He reached out and raised
her chin. “Tell me about this other man.”
    She hesitated, feeling resentful,
but decided to answer. “There’s nothing to tell. Just
like I said, we went out a couple of times. I didn’t sleep with
him.”
    Renzo studied her face for a few
minutes, saying nothing. At last, he leaned forward and kissed her
lips. “Today, my family will host a wine-tasting. We’re
introducing a new line, and I want you there with me.”
    “ You know I can’t
drink, right?”
    “ You don’t have to.”
    He stood and moved to his desk to
shuffle through some papers. Jada remained where she was, wondering
if that was all the discussion they would have on the subject. Renzo
didn’t appear ready to challenge her claim she carried his
child or question how extensively she’d dated Antonio. Gianni
might have expected more of a reaction against her from Renzo, but
she was glad the arrogant asshole had been shot down. The question
she kept asking herself was why Renzo would continue on with her as
if nothing happened. Maybe he just wanted a baby more than anything.
    Jada strode to the door. “I
see you’re busy, so I’m going to go.” She pulled at
the doorknob, but Renzo was suddenly behind her, wrapping his arms
around her waist. He stroked a hand over her belly and left it there,
inches above her pussy. Desire curled in her core. Renzo kissed her
neck and nuzzled behind her ear. Pleasure radiated throughout her
body, and she sank back to his chest, shutting her eyes. Why couldn’t
she stop longing for him and craving his touch?
    “ Mia bella bambina ,”
he