Mending the Rift by Chris T. Kat Read Free Book Online Page B

direction. Luca croaked, “It seems fine.”
    Nicholas sent him a brilliant smile. “It is fine, absolutely. Now if it would just keep still for a few seconds, so I could measure it. You’ll probably have your hands full with this one.”
    Luca darted his gaze toward Marcus, whose eyes had a very soft touch. If he wasn’t mistaken, Marcus was fighting against tears. He nudged Marcus’s chest with his foot and Marcus jerked. “Are you okay?”
    Marcus nodded. “Very.”

Chapter Ten
     
     
    IT TOOK Nicholas a while to measure the baby and record all the details. After the examination, Luca wiped his stomach clean, and Marcus helped him sit up. Luca’s head swam from the sudden change of position.
    Luca leaned into Marcus’s side and Marcus gathered him close, then whispered, “Love you, kitten.”
    Luca lifted his head for a kiss, and Marcus obliged in an instant. When Luca traced Marcus’s lips with his tongue, Marcus shuddered and drew back. “Hey, that’s not the reaction I was hoping for.”
    “Your dad’s sitting a few feet away,” Marcus replied.
    Heat rose in Luca’s cheeks. How could he have forgotten? “Um… oh… yeah….”
    Nicholas winked at him but stayed silent and kept scribbling some notes. Marcus brought his mouth to Luca’s ear and said, “How about you try again later? When we’re alone?”
    “I’d like that,” Luca admitted.
    Nicholas rose from his chair, waved the document that held all the information they had about the baby so far, and stepped toward the door. “Let’s go to the office.”
    “What about Father? Won’t he go with us?” Luca slipped his hand into Marcus’s, needing the firm grip around his fingers. Anxiety surged through him, twisting his stomach. What if the official didn’t accept Marcus’s claim? Without his father, they’d have no chance of convincing the official to change his mind.
    “Your father will meet us at the office, don’t worry,” Nicholas said as he led them out of the examination room.
    Keith waited for them outside and quickly fell into step behind Luca. He asked, “We’re heading to the office, right?”
    “Yes, we are,” Nicholas replied cheerfully. He was practically bouncing ahead of them, wearing a shit-eating grin.
    “Congratulations, kid,” Keith said softly.
    “Thanks, Keith.”
    “What about me? Don’t I get some congratulations as well?” Marcus asked.
    “I’ll congratulate you as soon as you make your official claim.”
    “It’s only five minutes to walk to the office, and maybe a couple more minutes to make the claim. What could possibly happen?” Luca asked, keeping his and Marcus’s fingers intertwined, causing a great deal of whispering and stolen glances from passersby.
    “Luca,” Marcus hissed. “Stop it. Everyone’s looking at us.”
    In a show of defiance, Luca raised his head high, daring anyone to look at them with disapproval as they walked on. “I don’t care. I’m yours. Everyone can know.”
    “Not before I’ve put in my claim.”
    Luca opened his mouth to protest when Nicholas’s phone rang with his father’s ringtone. Nicholas’s good mood evaporated within seconds, his pallor turning ashen. Marcus and Keith exchanged a grim look before they hurried to Nicholas. His dad’s knuckles turned white from the tight grip on the phone.
    When he ended the call, Luca waited in dreadful expectancy. “Dad, what’s going on?”
    “Smith’s ship landed, and he’s brought an escort with him. They know something’s up, and he’s demanding to see you right away.”
    Luca’s legs turned to jelly. This couldn’t be true! Not now. They were so close to their goal. They’d hidden the pregnancy for nine weeks. Marcus only needed to claim it. Only ten more minutes….
    Nicholas shoved the phone into his back pocket. “Greg’s trying to stall the official call-out for you.”
    “They’re going to do a call-out?” Luca squeaked. His name would be broadcast via speakerphones for everyone to