Page 13 of The Billionaire’s Secret Twins (Love for the Holidays #11)

Angela

R ome is beautiful, and I hum while watering the potted plants on a little stoop outside Dominic’s townhouse.

The blossoms are plentiful and lush in a variety of reds and oranges, and a bicyclist dings his bell as he speeds by, undeterred by the city’s bumpy cobbled streets.

I smile because it’s peaceful and charming here.

After all, Dom lives in a historic area of the city where the roads are narrow because they were created prior to the invention of cars.

But I adore the old-world charm of the neighborhood, and the gelato shops on every corner are irresistible.

Not to mention the pasta! I swear, there’s so much excellent pasta here that I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the occasional snack and even dessert.

But the best part of Rome is the Tiber River.

I love sauntering along its winding banks at sunset, knowing that legions of Roman citizens have walked these same paths, not knowing what comes next.

What will tomorrow bring? War? Famine? Poverty?

Or a Roman bacchanal to end all others? Only time will tell.

After all, I’m also in a state of unknowing.

I’m not sure how long my set-up is going to last, or what comes next after this beautiful European jaunt.

I know I should be happy because I’m basically on an all-expenses paid vacation to Rome, but it’s strange to be pregnant and alone.

I’m in my third trimester now, and near bursting.

My belly is the size of a beach ball, and it’s tight around the middle.

Sometimes, even the skin of my stomach hurts because it’s stretching to accommodate the babies within.

Yes, I’m having twins. The doctor confirmed it at my last appointment, and while I was elated, I was also sad because the boys aren’t wanted by their father. We haven’t heard a peep from Dominic since being flown to Rome, and my heart aches whenever I think of the billionaire.

Dominic Masters is just a man , the voice in my head says in a frigid tone. You were never dating. You were his employee, so don’t forget that.

It’s true. My bi-weekly paychecks continued while I was in New York, and in fact, I’m still getting paid now.

Whenever I log into my bank account, I can see a string of hefty deposits from Regeneron AI.

Then, I close the browser, my heart thumping with a mixture of pain, regret, and .

.. I don’t know. Wishing things could be different?

Thinking about alternate universes where I made different decisions?

But what could you have done? the voice in my head speaks in a kinder tone. He overwhelmed you with his dominance and charisma. Dominic Masters has charmed a thousand woman in the past, and you were the thousand and first. Don’t blame yourself because you were drawn in by a pro .

I smile sadly while watering the plants. It’s true. Somehow, I got caught up in a fairy tale where I thought I was Cinderella, swept off her feet by a handsome, charming prince. But in the end, the prince was no prince. He was a cad, and now I’m having his twin sons.

We’ll be okay , I silently tell the babies in my belly, resting my palm on the bulge for a moment. Mommy loves you, and I’ll always be here for you no matter what happens.

Suddenly, a miniature van pulls up the narrow alley, interrupting my thoughts as a delivery man hops out in a bright blue vest.

“ Signorina White ?” he asks.

“ Sì ,” I say, which is about the extent of my Italian. But it’s all that’s needed because he pops open the trunk to his van and pulls out a large cardboard box. “ Consegna per te .”

Then, he thrusts the box in my arms and hops back into his vehicle, disappearing down the cobbled street with a rattle of the engine.

I stagger a bit, but not because the box is heavy.

Rather, it’s just large and cumbersome, and I’m a little off balance all the time because of my pregnancy.

Grimacing a bit, I step backwards and turn to enter the townhouse when my toe catches on a cobblestone. Oh no, I’m going to fall!

The babies! I immediately think. My children!

But a large hand grasps my waist out of nowhere, pulling me upright as the box tumbles to the ground. Suddenly, I’m pressed against a huge, masculine form and the scent of a familiar woodsy cologne surrounds me.

“What the hell are you thinking?” Dominic hisses, his blue eyes shooting sparks. “You’re expecting! You shouldn’t be carrying huge boxes around. What the fuck!”

My heart races as I stare up into his azure gaze, but I force myself to calm down and pull away.

Just because he looks insanely handsome with his black hair brushed back, and his harsh features the very definition of an angry Roman god, doesn’t mean that he cares about me.

He doesn’t even care about his children , and that makes the blood freeze in my veins.

“I’m fine,” I say in a stiff voice. “The box wasn’t heavy. It’s just some diapers I ordered to get ready for the birth so it looked big, but was actually very light.”

Dominic stares at me, two harsh streaks on his high cheekbones.

“Yeah, but you almost fell ,” he hisses. “Get back in the house. I’m going to talk to Maria about why you were handling the deliveries.”

I’m starting to get angry now, and put my fists on my hips.

“It’s not your housekeeper’s fault,” I say in a huffy tone, glaring at him.

“I happened to be watering the plants when the delivery guy came around, and so he gave me the package. Next time, I’ll be sure to ask him to set it on the ground, and I’ll ask Roberto to bring it in. Trust me, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal!” Dominic explodes. “These are my sons you’re putting in danger!”

I pause for a moment.

“So you know that I’m having twins. Boys too.”

“I do,” he bites out. “Now get inside and let’s have this conversation in private because there are things that need to be said.”

Seething, I glare at the alpha male. How dare this man order me around within thirty seconds of coming back into my life!

I wish I could wring that handsome neck before pressing a desperate kiss to his sensual mouth.

But instead, I nod and enter the townhouse because Dominic is right.

Our babies are coming, and we need to talk.

* * *

Unfortunately, entering the townhouse has no discernible effect on his temper, nor mine. We stand in the darkened foyer, staring at each other while bristling with anger.

“So how do you know I’m having twins?” I demand. “My medical records are private.”

Dominic rolls his eyes as if this is a stupid question.

“HIPAA applies only in the United States, and I’m sorry to inform you, Dorothy, but we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

A growing horror dawns on my face.

“So you’ve been following my pre-natal check-ups?”

“I have,” he confirms, checking his nails as if bored. “Sweetheart, you’re here on my dime, and seeing my private doctor to boot. Doctor Gentile isn’t an obstetrician by trade, but we’re going to get you to a perinatal specialist very soon because twins are high risk by nature.”

I stare at him.

“Oh my god, you know everything.” But then, rage fills my veins because it’s not fair. He’s been spying on me all this time? Besides, why does he always hold all the cards?

“You know, we’re fine on our own,” I say in a stiff voice. “Patrick and Lochlan are safe and happy, and the three of us are very content together. I don’t know why you’re in Rome, Dominic, when you haven’t so much as called these past couple months.”

The handsome man looks regretful for a moment, but then his expression smooths.

“Circumstances changed,” he says in a noncommittal voice. “I had a breakthrough.”

“Oh really!” I snap, suddenly incensed again. “You’re forty-five years old, and an adult. You can’t just say that circumstances changed! Pray tell, what caused this precious breakthrough?” I ask in a sarcastic tone. “I’d love to know.”

The billionaire doesn’t look angry at my outburst. Instead, he looks around for a moment, and then gestures to a nearby seating area.

“Angie, take a seat,” he says in a low voice. “What I have to say isn’t going to be well-received, and I don’t want you to fall again while pregnant.”

“ I didn’t fall !” I grit through my teeth. But as gracefully as I can manage, I step into the drawing room and sit down on a tufted green sofa. “So say what you’re going to say and get out,” I spit.

Dominic shoots me an unreadable look while folding that huge form into an armchair across from me.

He’s startlingly gorgeous, with dark hair falling in a comma over his brow, and blue eyes that see straight to my soul.

As usual, he’s clad in an immaculate grey suit that highlights his broad shoulders and wide chest. Still, this man brings chaos to my life and it’s unwanted and unneeded.

“Say what you have to say,” I manage through gritted teeth, my eyes shooting sparks. “Then get out.”

He lets out a low chuckle.

“You realize this is my house, right sweetheart?” he drawls. “I find it bizarre that you’re demanding that I leave my own home.”

“I’m a pregnant woman, and logic has no place here,” I retort back. “Now say what you’re going to say and get out!”

Dom merely looks amused, his blue eyes twinkling. I swear, this man finds my distress enjoyable, and I hiss again, wishing I could breathe flames. But then his expression goes serious as he holds up both hands in placation.

“I hear what you’re saying, Angela, and give me a chance to explain. You know I’m a wealthy man—”

“ I don’t care how much you have !” I scream, my hands gripping a green tufted pillow so hard that my knuckles go white. “You could be rich or poor, and it wouldn’t matter to me! What does that have to do with any of this?”

Dominic nods slowly, his expression regretful.