Page 254 of Damaged Mogul

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For a few seconds that stretch into an eternity, he stares at me.

“Even before the test, the doctor suspected that was the reason I was so sick,” I say. “The test confirmed it.”

He extends a hand. “Come here.”

I flinch.

I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but that wasn’t on the list.

He pushes his chair back. “Come here, I said.”

I stand up.

He picks me up like I’m a ragdoll and drops me on his lap.

“You’re pregnant…”

I expect him to elaborate, but the silence between us stretches.

I put an end to my misery. “We used protection, but protection isn’t foolproof. I’m sure fatherhood wasn’t part of your life goals for this year—and perhaps not for the next decade—so I understand if you don’t want?—”

He places two fingers against my lips, silencing me. “You’re trembling and you’re rambling.”

“I am.”

He considers me.

My heart races.

With each passing second, I grow more and more nervous. I can’t read him at all. It’s a good thing I’m ready to raise this baby on my own.

“I’m tempted to get on the next flight out to New York so I can track down Giuseppe—who prefers to be called John—and rearrange his face for thinking he had a chance with the woman who’s carrying my child.” His green eyes go dark as his words settle overme. “And the asshole tried to touch you?” He growls. He actually growls.

I’m speechless.

“You’re fucking mine, Lily.”

I’m astonished by his declaration.

“I told you that at the airport before you left LA. I meant every word.” A muscle flexes along his jawline. “I hate that your father manipulated you and opened the door to fucking Giuseppe.”

“Even when I thought you loved another woman, I shut Giuseppe down.”

“Good,” he says with a firm nod. “Speaking of the shit stirrer, I gather your father doesn’t know?”

“Not yet. Like I said, I’m avoiding him.”

He nods a few times.

He’s eerily calm.

“You’re not upset or mad?”Or running for the hills?

“I’m in shock. And you’re right, fatherhood wasn’t part of the list of milestones for this year. However, I’m not mad or upset.”

“You’re not?”

“I’m not.”

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