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A muffled snort leaves her, and she lifts her chin to glare at me with contempt. “I’m sure you’re aware by now I have money, Reed. I just choose not to spend it. I don’t need anything from you, and I need nothing from him.” She pulls her wrist from me and heads toward the door, taking a part of me with her.

“Good play.” George chuckles and slaps my back, causing me to bite back a retort. “I wasn’t aware you were so tactical, Reed, but I’m grateful for it.” He grins from ear to ear before his tone falls serious. “Just make sure you deliver.” He squeezes my shoulder, then walks away, but it’s Gia my eyes follow as she pushes through the door, not looking back.

Something tells me I’ve epically fucked up, but worse, I know there’s more to come.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

REED

I fucked up.I fucked up big time, but I will fix it.

I’m relieved to find the taxi pulling up when I place my SUV into park and throw open my car door just as Gia steps out. She pays the driver, and our gazes collide.

Her shoulders drop, and disappointment washes over her face as I head toward her, and that move alone causes irritation to rile through me once again.

“Go home, Reed,” she snaps out, and turns her back and heads up the steps to her house, but I follow after her.

“Go home?”

She unlocks the door, and I push inside behind her. “Go home?” Throwing her purse on the counter, she turns to face me with her arms crossed over her epic chest.

“Who were you with last night?” she bites out, and I won’t lie, the fact she’s acting jealous sends a rush of elation through my veins.

“I went to an event, and I took Shaw’s wife, Emi, with me. I was asked to be a stand-in.” I fail to mention the fact I had to negotiate being a stand-in to borrow their child, but she must sense the truth in my words because her shoulders drop.

“You didn’t tell me.” Hurt laces her words, and my heart skips a beat at the thought. “What was I supposed to think?”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

She turns her head away, and I hate that she’s pushing me out. “I have to deal with Tyson staying here, Gia. Under the same roof as you.”

“He’s a friend. He’s like a brother to me,” she bites out.

“A brother whose cock slipped inside you.”

She cringes at my words. “I told you it was a mistake. We both agreed as much. You’ll be pleased to know, I didn’t even come.” She shrugs, and my chest preens with pride, but I need to say what’s on my mind before I kiss her senseless for her comment. Dumb fucker can’t even make a girl come.

She strokes over her bump.

“You were rude, Gia. You spoke about our baby as if he’s solely yours.” My jaw tics with aggravation when I consider how she could take all this from me. She holds all the control, all the power in our dynamic, but the decisions she’s making should be discussed first because he’s my baby too. “That’s our baby you’re discussing.”

Anger flares in her eyes as she stares back at me. “I don’t want that son of a bitch anywhere near me andourbaby.” The way she spitsourboils my blood.

“That’s something we’ll discuss at a later date,” I grit out, refusing to hide my annoyance, and when she jolts, I know my words have annoyed her further, but what does she expect? Me to back down and let her have her way without discussion?

Her nostrils flare, and she lifts her chin higher. “It’s nonnegotiable.”

I choke on a humorless laugh. “Because your father didn’t like your late husband does not mean he won’t like this one.”

Her eyebrows narrow, and genuine surprise coats her features. “This one?” Hurt lances through my chest at the thought of her never considering me a viable option for her. Possibly our baby too. Was this always her intention? To never truly acknowledge me?

“Yes, this one. What the fuck do you think this is between us?” I step forward as hurt mixes with anger. “We’re getting married, and I’m adopting Bryce. Our baby will have a solid family unit,” I bite out.

Rage simmers through me when her mouth drops open and her chin wobbles, then she shakes her head, and fury threatens to erupt from inside my veins.

“You’ve got to be kidding me? You’re not adopting my son!” She throws her arm out.

“Ours. He’s going to be ours.” I point at her.