Page 16 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Prince
“How dare you!”
I’ve truly enraged her now, and she actually tries to shove me, placing both hands on my chest and pushing against me. It has no effect, like a kitten trying to topple a mountain, which makes her let out a nearly animalistic growl of frustration.
I chuckle and capture her wrists in one hand. “Careful or you might hurt yourself. You’re like a hissing kitten when you’re mad, did you know that?”
“Go to hell.”
There’s that impulse to kiss her again. It would be so easy. I have her in my grasp, those plump lips only inches away...
But she’d probably try to gouge out my eyes. And part of me—a part I don’t like to acknowledge—thinks she’d be right to do it. So, I let her go and take a step back, the distance between us a physical ache.
“Paige, you’re not safe on your own. If you’re carrying my kid—hell, even if you only might be—people could come after you. We’re a powerful family, but we have enemies. There are people that would try to get to my child to hurt me. That means you’ll have a target on your back.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“You need to come to Vegas because it’s the safest place for you.”
“I’m not safe around Andrettis.”
It’s tempting to point out that I’m an Andretti and she was more than safe with me the night we spent together. Even now, she doesn’t seem afraid of me. She’s angry, defiant, stubborn—but not afraid. Not really.
“I promise you, you’ll be safe.”
She immediately shakes her head. “I can’t take that at face value. I don’t trust you enough.”
Ouch.
The rejection shouldn’t sting, but it does. I’m not used to people denying me what I want. I’m not used to having to convince anyone of anything.
“Do you know that I have an aunt? She’s my father’s sister.”
Paige stares at me, waiting for me to get to the point. There’s suspicion in those hazel eyes, but at least she’s listening.
“She was kidnapped as a child. My grandfather had too many enemies, and one of them got bold. They tortured my aunt, sending the videos of it to my grandfather. It went on for two days before she was rescued.”
I can see that Paige is horrified by my story, and her hand goes to her belly, where there’s no baby bump yet. Her protective instinct is already kicking in. Good. I can use that.
“Come on, Paige,” I say, willing to try to talk her into this a little longer. But if she doesn’t agree soon, I’ll take her by force. No is not an option. Not when it comes to my child. Not when it comes to keeping her safe. “You’re getting thrown out of this place. You need somewhere to go.”
“I could stay with my friend Rosa.”
“And possibly put her life at risk?”
I can see the moment I’ve convinced her, because her shoulders slump in defeat. “Fine,” she mumbles, looking surly. “I’ll come with you, but only until we figure out a better solution to keep me safe. And I don’t want to see any other Andrettis.”
I can’t directly agree to those terms, but I’m done arguing. My patience is at its end.
“If the kid is mine, it’ll be a part of my family. You’re going to have to accept that. Now, pack a bag, and I’ll arrange for the rest of your things to be delivered later. We’re going home tonight.”
“Tonight?!”
Her shock would be comical if I wasn’t so damn desperate to get her back to Vegas, where I can keep an eye on her. Where I can make sure she and the baby are safe.
Because no matter what she thinks of me or my family, I protect what’s mine. And I’m starting to think that Paige Dawes—Paige Foley—might be exactly that.
Mine.
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