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CHAPTER EIGHT

REED

I’m laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. It’s a Saturday night, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m alone, not out with multiple women. Or bedding them, for that matter.

Nope, since Wednesday, I’ve barely slept a wink. Instead, my life has been hanging on tenterhooks, waiting for a report from the doctor to tell me if I’m the father of Gia’s baby or not.

I already know I am. I can feel it, sense it, and for some strange reason, when she told me I’ve been the only person she’s slept with in years, I believed her. Normally, I would’ve laughed in a woman’s face, but this one, I believe.

Now all I can think about is: how many years? Who was the last one? Judging by the number of kids she has, she’s gotten around a lot.

When I explained to Owen about her home life, he said he’d look into her more, because there’s no way a Fanzio should be living how she does, but I told him not to bother. I refuse to show too much interest in her and her crowded family. Something about her intrigues me, and I find it terrifying. There’s no way in hell I’m being lumbered with a woman and her gaggle of children, or the brown wolf-looking dog. She has no room in her house for that thing, let alone another baby.

Where is she even going to put it?

Unable to take my thoughts any longer, I roll onto my side and grab my phone from the nightstand to check my emails again.

Nothing.

Why the fuck do I pay this incompetent prick so much money?

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I stare at Owen’s name as a pit of dread washes over me. Thumb trembling, I swipe across to answer the call.

“The results just came in,” he breathes out, and I’m unable to talk. “Figured you’d want the results before he emails you with them.”

I make a noncommittal grunting noise.

“Congrats, man, you’re going to be a father.”

“Fuck!” I launch the phone against the wall, causing it to shatter. “Fuck!” I scream louder than ever as anger with myself consumes me.

I shouldn’t care; I’ve no intention of being a father.

Especially knowing what’s at stake with Fanzio.

So why does my life feel like it’s spiraling when I have the perfect get-out clause?