Rome for Always (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection) by Judy Angelo Read Free Book Online

clenched
his teeth and glared at his father who looked like he’d gotten his second wind.
    “How much do you know about this girl?” he asked. “First,
she bewitched you into a sudden engagement and then all of a sudden she brings
a baby into the picture. Next thing you know she’ll be telling you she has some
past life that could jeopardize your reputation.” He frowned. “Did you check if
she’d been married before?”
    Rome was so pissed he didn’t answer. If he opened his
mouth he’d probably say something he would regret. He kept his trap shut.
    “Why couldn’t you have married a nice Italian girl?”
Vittorio glared at his son, waiting for an answer.
    When Rome finally spoke his voice was cool and stern. “You
shouldn’t have schooled me in the United States then.”
    Vittorio’s scowl deepened. “I think you’re making a big
mistake,” he said, his voice equally cool. “I hope it’s one you won’t regret
for the rest of your life.”
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Something was not right. Rome had been gone a week and
he’d only called three times. Was that the behavior of a man who was in love?
    Arie heaved a sigh and slid out of bed. She was being
unreasonable, she guessed, but she couldn’t help it. She missed him so much.
    When he’d called her from Italy to say he’d rushed off
because his father had a stroke she totally understood. Then he’d called to
tell her his father was at home and making a strong recovery. After that he’d
called her only one more time and he’d seemed so preoccupied that she’d asked
if everything was okay with his dad. Excellent, he’d said, but then he’d grown
silent, almost as if he couldn’t think of a thing to say to her. When the
conversation ended and she hung up she’d felt the tears sting the corners of
her eyes. Something had definitely changed.
    Was he having regrets? The baby and the thought of being
a father, was it all too much? When he’d met Maya they’d seemed to connect but
now that he was far away maybe the glow had faded. He was probably having
second thoughts. He’d probably changed his mind about the baby. Maybe about
her, too.
    “Stop it, stop it, stop it.” Arie muttered the words
under her breath as she headed for the shower. She was thinking too much. She definitely
had to get out of the house.
    When she got to Talk of The Town that morning her
business partner was already there, bustling about the office. As soon as she
saw Arie she jammed her fists on her hips. “You’re late,” she said with an
exaggerated scowl. “Is this the way to run the number one catering company in
all of New Orleans?”
    Arie grimaced and let her bag strap slide off her
shoulder. “It’s just one of those days, Lena. I’m not in the mood.” With a sigh
she trudged past her friend on her way to her office. She saw when Lena glanced
at the receptionist but Marilyn had her nose buried in a magazine with Brad
Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the cover. She wouldn’t be surfacing any time soon.
    “Hey, what gives?” Lena had followed her to the office
and now stood in the doorway, a look of concern on her face. She stepped in
then reached behind her to pull the door shut. “What’s going on?”
    Arie sighed. “I don’t know. I just…I just have a feeling
that things are falling apart between Rome and me.”
    Lena’s eyes widened. “What in the world do you mean? Are
you guys having problems?”
    Arie lifted her shoulders then let them fall on a
dejected sigh. “That’s the thing. I don’t know. He’s just been so distant. It’s
weird.”
    Lena shook her head. “You told me he’s going through a
rough time. You said his father was seriously ill. Don’t you think that would
account for the change you see in his behavior?” She walked over and put her
arm around Arie’s shoulder. “Be sensible. Give the man some space and give him
time.”
    Arie bit her lip and then she nodded. She could always
count on Lena to bring her back to her senses. “I