Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
At my explanation, her defensive posture relaxes a bit. “It’s the first thing my mom taught us. She insisted that Leander and I take swimming lessons.” A small smile plays on her lips. “I guess the example rubbed off on me.”
As if suddenly remembering whom she’s discussing her mother with, her smile slips. Clamping her lips shut, she looks away.
The guard at the front door nods as I lead her up the three wide steps. He opens the door and stands aside for us to enter. Reino and the rest of the men stay on the perimeter until we’re inside. I’ve instructed him to go home and get some sleep once he’s seen us home.
The moment I lock the door behind me and activate the alarm, Noah comes running through the foyer. Jasper follows hot on his heels, but she stops in the door frame when she notices us.
Noah slams into Tatiana with so much force he nearly knocks her off her feet. I’ve barely steadied her with my hands on her hips before he hugs her legs, almost sending her toppling over again.
“Mommy!”
She goes down on her haunches to embrace him, forcing me to let her go. “I’m here, sweetheart. Did you miss me?”
“No.” Despite the denial, he holds onto her if his life depends on it. “I was a big boy like Dante told me to be. I wasn’t scared. Ask Jazz.”
Jasper hovers in the doorway, hugging herself. “You were the man, Noah.” Now that she’s in my territory, she seems a lot less sure of herself.
“That’s good.” Tatiana’s voice breaks a little as she wipes Noah’s curls from his forehead to study his face. “I’ll never leave you. You know that, right?”
She’s confirming what I already know. She’ll honor the terms of our prenuptial agreement. She’ll stay in my house, married to me, because she’ll never abandon her son. Yes, it was underhanded of me to slip in that clause, but I’ll do whatever I must to ensure she stays where she belongs, no matter how dirty I have to play.
Noah bobs his head up and down. “You’ll always come back, just like Dante.”
She looks at me, searching my eyes with fear and concern sparking in hers as she lets that statement and its meaning sink in—one, that I’m going nowhere, and two, that I made sure my son understood that exactly as she’s reassuring him now.
Noah wiggles out of her arms. “What’s the surprise, Dante? You said you’ll tell me when you get here.”
I take Tatiana’s hands and help her up, trying to ignore how she immediately pulls away and how much that bothers me.
Instead, I give Noah my full attention. “The surprise is that your mother and I are getting married.”
Tatiana cuts me an accusing look. She appears hurt and betrayed, not hiding her disapproval of the direct way in which I shared the news, but the sooner Noah knows the truth, the better.
Jasper doesn’t take the announcement well. She pales, shock painted over her face.
Noah gasps. His eyes grow wide and hopeful. “Does that mean you’re going to be my daddy?”
“Yes.” Emotions nearly strangle the words before they can leave my lips. “I am.”
He drags in a long, loud breath, his chest puffing out with the effort. “As for real?”
“As real as it gets, buddy.”
He wraps his arms around my knees and hugs me like only he can do, putting every ounce of his strength into the effort.
Tipping back his head, he stares up at me. “Can I call you Daddy?”
I smile through the knot that forms in my throat. “I’d like that.”
“Cool!” He lets me go and swings his arms through the air. “This is the best day of my life.”
Jasper clears her throat. “Congratulations.”
“That’s why we’re having a special dinner.” I take Noah’s hand. “Did you meet the chef?”
Noah grins. “He made me a milkshake, and I haven’t even eaten my food yet.” He adds with enthusiasm, “He’s nice.”
“Exceptions are allowed when you’re celebrating.” I motion for Tatiana to go ahead of me. “Let’s go through. I’m sure Jasper knows the way.”
Jasper avoids my gaze as she turns to lead our small group to the dining room. The table is set with crystal, silver, and candles. As I don’t have a housekeeper here, I hired a chef to prepare a special meal. As usual, Penelope took care of the arrangements. She would’ve stocked the fridge and the cupboards as I’d instructed. I trust her to always do a good job. My assistant is yet to disappoint me.
There are only four of us, so the chef serves the courses himself. When I approved the menu, I opted for fish dishes and exotic salads that are to both Tatiana and Jasper’s tastes. Noah gets a crumbed fish fillet to eliminate the danger of him swallowing a fishbone. The desert is crème brûlée.