“Actually … I was talking about Emma’s baby.” Giovanni leans back with a wolfish grin and satisfied glint in his eye. The clatter of cutlery as Marissa drops her fork and gapes at me with open-mouthed shock. I realize she’s not the only one, Arrick’s girlfriend is practically bug-eyed gawping my way and no one is holding cutlery now except me.

“Fuck’s sake…” Jake snaps, raising a hand to pinch his brow, his elbow hitting the table to hold his arm up. He knows the shit is about to hit the fan and he’s waiting on it.

“Dad, you’re an asshole.” Arrick cuts in, instantly, and Marissa erupts.

“What the actual fuck?! Since fucking when?!” She throws her napkin down on top of her food, glaring

at him then me, focusing on one after the other with sheer fury across her pouted mouth. She doesn’t look quite so attractive now and yet all I can do is lower my head and stare at my lap to try to control the surge of complete

tension running through me. Giovanni certainly knows how to ruin a dinner.

“Arrick. Please take Gloria to the front room and I’ll have your plates sent through … Giovanni. I suggest you go eat in your office!” Sylvana snaps, taking control, and stands up. She puts a hand on Marissa’s shoulder, sharply sitting her down, since Marissa has risen from her seat in anger.

“How did you find out?” Jake glares at Giovanni furiously. The waves of rage can almost be seen rippling across the table. Everyone turns to look at the older man sitting smugly, sipping his glass of wine, as though he’s completely unaware of the scene he’s just caused.

“You underestimate me, Jacob. Two women at this table with a pregnancy glow and drinking fresh orange instead of my $2000 a bottle Chardonnay. You forget I’m a father who knows when a lady is carrying, and I’m fully aware you set up a viewing for the Wilson house, he’s my golfing partner after all. I’m just disappointed that you felt you could tell your mother and brother who are the only two who did not react to this news and yet still hadn’t told me.” He slides up, lifting his glass, and walks coolly toward the door while Jake visually throws daggers into his back. All I can think of is how keen eyed Senior Carrero is. He really is a smart cookie after all. I can’t help but be a little impressed with his scarily keen observations.

of the room and Sylvana is glaring at everyone with a sheer angry momma bear look. This is not how I envisioned this would go. I had no idea we’d even be telling Marissa about the

toward her. I’m not sure what her intentions are but gone is the kind

fury on his part and possibly the same from her. I wonder if this was how the meetings

flash of stubborn flick across her attractive

passing, ushering the last

with slow even breaths. He’s thinking about what he wants to say before he erupts too. I know this version of him, I’ve seen it in boardroom meetings, when someone is pushing his buttons and he’s about to go all ‘Alpha Boss’ mode and take them down. I

“Well?” Marissa snaps impatiently.

yes, Emma is pregnant. It wasn’t planned but I’m happy, we’re happy about it. It doesn’t concern you in the slightest.” Jake’s steady even tone is laced with aggression. He’s trying so hard to get control of this

now I know why! You’re setting up happy families with her and my child is being tossed aside like it doesn’t fucking matter!” She spits and slams her palms onto the table

a relationship and I don’t want to spend more time than necessary with you.” Jake growls back at her, tempers rising, and I grasp his fingers to urge him to calm down. Jake’s so much better than this. He deals

Because I can remember the word abortion coming up when I told you that you were going to be a father! You said you didn’t even want kids! Yet here you are

with Emma, had been for so long and your appearance almost screwed up the chance I had with her.” Jake stands up and walks off toward the unit behind us, grabbing the bottle of wine, he walks back filling his glass to the top. “When Emma found out she was pregnant it was different. It changed everything Marissa, because I love her, because I want a life

is not

impulsive, more aggressive mode, where he can be unpredictable and harder to control. I throw him a wary look and when he goes to top it up again, I swipe his glass away quickly, giving him a pleading ‘please don’t’ glance. He frowns at me and sighs before planking the bottle on the table, sitting down

does that leave

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