Page 50 of Accidental Theirs (Alpha Billionaire Daddies #6)

Chapter Forty-Six

SEBASTIAN

I could have slipped into the bottle when Olivia went ghost. God knows I did plenty of searching for answers in the bottom of beer bottles when Sophie passed.

But instead, I focus on work, funneling money from my investments into Carter Holdings. I’m slowly rebuilding their capital without Olivia having a clue.

I thought about telling Dominic my plan, getting him and Damien in on it, but this is something I want to do for Olivia on my own.

It’s not like I’m trying to score points. It’s more I want to be the one to take care of her.

And maybe that’s wrong, and maybe Sophie is floating around somewhere pissed at me, but I can’t think like that. I have to keep going. I have to move forward. I have a family to think about.

And one important move to keep that family civil is talking to my best friend.

Richard had left me a voicemail a couple of days ago, just checking in, so I call him back.

“Sebastian? Thought you went ghost. ”

“Nothing like that. Just work stuff. What’s up?”

“Olivia’s pregnant.”

I freeze.

Apparently Olivia’s dropped the bomb.

Does he know it might be mine?

“Oh, shit.” It’s all I can think of to say.

“Oh, shit, indeed,” Richard drawls. “Wanna come over and talk about it?”

“Sure. I’ll be right over.”

He clearly doesn’t know that I might be the father. If he did, he’d be screaming his head off, maybe showing up at my place.

God, how am I going to do this?

My palms sweat as I pull up to the mansion.

He’s already sitting on the porch with a pitcher of lemonade. Very domestic.

Is he plotting to kill me?

Maybe he does know, and this is all a trap.

I slowly walk up the steps, trying to gauge his expression, but it’s blank.

“Hey, Bash.”

He sounds friendly enough.

Maybe I’m right, and he doesn’t know.

He smiles. “So, I guess you’re wondering who the father is.”

I blink.

Is this a ploy?

“Yeah, I mean, sure, I’m curious.”

“She doesn’t know.” He chuckles. “I’m almost proud of her.”

“For acing like you did as a teenager?” I tease, and Richard laughs out loud.

“I guess so. I’m just glad she’s letting loose a little. She’s always been so responsible. Nothing like Ford. ”

“How is Ford, anyway?” I hope changing the subject will end this conversation, but to no avail.

He waves a hand. “Ford is always good.”

I take a deep breath. “I have to confess, I came over here to tell you something.”

Richard quirks an eyebrow. “Oh? Is it about work?”

I shake my head. “It’s about... Olivia.”

He stares at me. “Olivia? Do you know something about the father? Because once I get my hands on him...”

“Thought you were proud of her.”

“Of her .”

I chuckle, but I’m terrified. “You’re probably going to hit me.”

He sits up straight in his chair. “Sebastian, you’re scaring me.”

I wince. “I may be the father of Olivia’s baby.”

I just said it without thinking about it, and I’m not surprised when Richard throws a right hook and knocks me out of the rocking chair I sat down in.

“Fuck, I guess I deserved that.”

“Hell yes, you did. What the hell are you doing with Olivia? She’s my baby !”

Richard is furious. It’s not like I didn’t expect this, but now that it’s happening...

“She’s a grown woman, Richard. She can make her own choices.”

“And she’s going to choose you ? An aging playboy?”

“Jesus, Richard, tell me how you really feel.” I know he’s just angry, but it stings. I get up, standing my ground. “And the thing is, Richard, I love her. We all do.”

“All?”

“I know the other two potential fathers. We all want her, Richard. We all want to make her happy. ”

He looks at me incredulously. “You said there’d never be another after Sophie.”

That stings most of all, and I take in a hitched breath.

“Well, yeah, I thought so. But then I met Olivia and... I don’t know, Richard. I just want her.”

“And fuck the consequences? Our friendship?”

“That's not what I want. I want us to stay friends, Richard.”

He puts a hand to his face, still not having stood up. “This is crazy. You slept with my daughter, for God’s sake.”

“But I love her. Remember that. It’s important.”

“Why is it important?”

“Because I want to be hers. And you’re going to have to accept that, because you love her, too. She’s the apple of your eye, don’t try to deny it.”

“I never could. She’s so much like Yvonne,” he says quietly. “And I guess I should be happy that you’ve found someone. Gives me hope.”

“Okay, then. We’re friends?” My face aches where he hit me.

He stands up, shaking my hand. “Friends.”

I stay for a while longer, making small talk, and then I immediately head to Olivia’s, hoping she’ll be there.

When she opens the door barefaced in a pair of basketball shorts and a camisole, I smile down at her fondly.

“Sebastian?” She gasps. “I wasn’t expecting you.” She touches her hair, embarrassed.

“You look beautiful.” I kiss her forehead and walk further inside, letting the door shut behind me.

“I look like hot garbage.” She chuckles. ”But I'm glad you’re here.”

“Me too. Needed to talk to you.”

“Sebastian— ”

“No, I really need to get this out. I talked to your father this morning and told him my intentions.”

“Your intentions? Is this the nineteenth century?” she drawls.

I chuckle. “No, nothing like that. I just wanted him to know that I’ll be here. No matter what happens.”

“Even if the baby isn’t yours? Even if?—”

“No matter what. If the sky falls down, I’ll be right next to you and the baby to protect you.”

“Oh, Bash... what about... Sophie...” She looks away.

“Sophie was the love of my life. No one will ever replace her. But what we have, Olivia, it’s real and it’s strong and I want it. Forever.”

“You’re saying?—”

“I’m saying I love you, Olivia.”

The words sound strange coming out of my mouth, but they also feel right.

“You... you really mean it? Sebastian, I thought you didn’t want anything to do with love.”

“Well, you were wrong. I was wrong. I thought I could get by the way I was going, but I can’t. Olivia, I need you.”

“Everything’s so complicated?—”

“I don’t care. I don’t care if everything burns down, I’ll be here.”

I look at her staunchly, and then she throws herself into my arms.

I chuckle, swinging her around.

“Have you talked to Dom?”

She shakes her head, flushing.

“I know he’s going to be upset, so I haven’t, yet.”

“He’ll get over it. He’s just been worried about you.”

Worried that you left us.

Dominic has been a mess since she went quiet. I guess we all have been, if I’m honest, but he’s taking it the worst .

She nods. “I know. But tonight? Let's let tonight be about you and me.”

“You have no idea how good that sounds.” I sweep her up into my arms, kissing her while I carry her bridal style to the bedroom.

I’m expecting that we’ll make love, but the way she cradles her head on my chest makes me pause.

“I really do love you, Olivia. I mean it.”

“I know you do, Bash. It’s just... everything is so complicated. My brain feels so loud.”

“Then let’s just be quiet together, yeah? Drown out the noise.”

She cuddles into me, and I get into bed with her, fully clothed.

She breathes out slowly, and I can tell she’s sleepy.

“Tired, love?”

“I’m always tired. Growing a human is a lot of work.”

“I know it is, little girl.” I kiss her cheek. “But I’m here to take some of the weight off. We all are.”

“I still have to talk to Dom…” Her eyes are drifting closed.

“Tomorrow. Sleep now.”

My voice is low but demanding, and she finally listens, dozing against my chest.

This is where I always want to be.