Page 20 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
"I'm sure." I take the phone from her trembling fingers. "Time to let him know the rules have changed."
CHAPTER FOUR
GIA
My heart stops as Rosco sets his phone on record then swipes to answer my phone. Zack's voice fills the kitchen, smooth and cultured and dripping with false concern. The same tone he used when he wanted something from me, right before the mask slipped and showed the monster underneath.
"Gia, sweetheart, we need to talk."
Rosco's entire body goes rigid. His free hand clenches into a fist, and I watch his jaw tick with barely contained rage. When he speaks, his voice is low, controlled, and absolutely terrifying.
"She's not available."
Silence stretches across the line. I can practically feel Zack's shock radiating through the phone. He's not used to being challenged, especially not by someone who sounds like they could snap him in half without breaking a sweat.
"I'm sorry, who is this?" Zack's tone sharpens, losing some of its calculated charm.
"This is Gia's fiancé. And you're Zack Whitmore, the piece of shit who's been threatening my woman and her baby."
My woman.The possessiveness in those words sends heat spiraling through my belly, even as terror freezes my veins. Zack doesn't handle challenges well. He especially doesn't handle other men encroaching on what he considers his territory.
"Your woman?" Zack's laugh is cold, bitter. "I think there's been some misunderstanding. Gia is carrying my child. We're in the middle of working out custody arrangements."
"No misunderstanding. The baby isn't yours, the woman sure as hell isn't yours, and if you come anywhere near either of them, we're going to have a problem."
"Listen, asshole, I don't know what sob story Gia fed you, but she's not exactly known for her honesty. Did she tell you about the drinking? The instability? The reason I had to file for emergency custody in the first place?"
Lies.Every word a calculated lie designed to make me look unfit. I want to grab the phone and scream the truth, but Rosco catches my eye and shakes his head slightly. He's got this.
"What I know," Rosco says, his voice dropping even lower, "is that you're a coward who threatens pregnant women when you don't get your way. What I know is that you're about to lose this little game you're playing because Gia's not alone anymore."
"Game?" Zack's voice rises, losing more of its polish. "This is my child we're talking about. My family."
"DNA test will say otherwise. But don't worry, we'll get that sorted out real quick once the baby's born. Along with restraining orders, harassment charges, and whatever else my lawyer thinks will stick."
The silence that follows is deafening. I hold my breath, waiting for Zack's next move. He's calculating now, trying to figure out how to regain control of the situation.
"Who are you?" he asks finally.
"Rosco Kane. Look me up." The confidence in his voice makes my knees weak. "Better yet, look up my family. The Kanefamily has deep roots in this province, and we don't take kindly to bullies."
"This isn't over."
"Yeah, it is. Don't call this number again."
Rosco ends the call and immediately starts scrolling through my phone settings. "I'm blocking his number. Do you have him blocked on social media?"
"Yes, but he creates fake accounts." My voice comes out shaky, and I hate how weak I sound. "He'll find other ways to contact me."
"Let him try." Rosco sets my phone on the counter and turns to face me fully. "You okay?"
"I can't believe you just did that." I'm trembling now, adrenaline and fear and something that might be relief all warring in my system. "He's going to be furious. He'll escalate. He'll..."
"He'll what? Show up here?" Rosco steps closer, his presence solid and reassuring. "Good. I'd love to meet him face to face."
"You don't understand. Zack has resources. Private investigators, expensive lawyers, connections everywhere. He could make your life hell."
"Sweetheart, I've been dealing with difficult people my whole life. Trust me when I say some rich boy from Vancouver doesn't scare me."
