Billionaire Romance: Christmas Surprise (Book One) by Violet Walker Read Free Book Online Page A

bothered to do so.”
    He sighed heavily, knowing Flora was right.
She’d been with him for years and acted more like a mother than a
housekeeper. “You have a point, but I’ll reserve judgment until
after I get the payoff request.” It was coming, he knew it was. “I
need to speak with Rinaldo. Can you keep an eye on her until I
figure out what the hell is going on?”
    “Of course I can,” she said, talking more to
the baby than him, “this big old house could use a darling
baby.”
    Dean pretended not to hear her and continued
to his security office.
    ***
    The next morning, Dean’s Astin Martin ate up
the pavement as he drove to a budget motel to find the striking,
petite blonde they’d identified from the security footage. In the
hours since his world had been thoroughly rocked, Dean found out
that the blond, Krista Halloway, was the nanny and legal guardian
of baby Angel. Her feelings for the baby were clear and he couldn’t
get his mind around the heartbreaking image she made, whispering
words to the babbling baby and swiping away tears. A heartfelt kiss
goodbye and the woman had hidden behind a manicured hedge until
Flora took Angel inside.
    It was that heartbreaking image that made
him question her motives. If he was the father, a quick paternity
test would get a handsome child support payment on which Angel and
Krista could live. She must have a bigger payday planned. It was
the only thing that made sense.
    He smacked the steering wheel in
frustration, pulled into the parking lot of the only budget hotel
in Loving, New York, and climbed out of his car. A quick trip to
the lobby and a fifty dollar bill and Dean was walking off the
elevator and straight to room 321. He stood in front of the door
poised to knock when the door was wrenched open and a short body
capped with wild blonde curls backed up into him.
    “Oh, shit. Sorry.” She turned and looked up,
took a step back and looked up further. He saw the moment
recognition flashed. “How can I help you, Mr. Harwood?”
    “How you can help me ? You’re
joking, right?” He leaned down uncomfortably so he could look the
woman in her eyes. Her big almond-shaped eyes that were the perfect
blend of blue and green. “I’m here to tell you, Ms. Halloway,” he
practically spat her name, “that if you continue with whatever this
scam is, I’ll have my lawyers on you so fast your head will
spin!”
    Smacking his hand out of her face, Krista’s
tiny face reddened and a small growl escaped her mouth. “You
arrogant fool! That precious baby is yours and I was trying to do
the right thing to make sure Angel grew up knowing her father,
knowing she was wanted. If that’s not the case I’ll happily pick
her up and we can go back home and I guarantee you won’t
hear from us ever again.” She turned and began to pull her luggage
down the hall. “What will it be, Mr. Harwood, am I taking Angel or
are you keeping her?”
    Dean grabbed her arm a little rougher than
he meant to and she yanked out of his grasp. “Neither of you are
going anywhere until we’ve all had DNA tests!”
    “Get your paws off me, you animal!” She
stopped walking and shook her head. “I’m not the mother, you idiot.
Do you remember having sex with me?” At his silence she laughed
bitterly, “I didn’t think so. Angel’s mom was Karen Thorpe, one of
your many conquests. Is that ringing a bell? It doesn’t matter that
you don’t remember. What matters is that Karen is dead and God help
Angel, but you are all the family she has left. That is, if you can
stop working long enough to give her any of your precious time.”
    Her words dripped with such disgust Dean was
taken aback. Had he gotten this wrong? No . He hadn’t. He
just needed to figure out her angle. “And I’m supposed to just take
your word for it.”
    “I don’t give a damn what you believe. If I
wanted, I could have just kept Angel and never said a word to you.
If it makes you feel better, have the test. I’ll