Rome for Always (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection) Read Online Free Page B

the air.”
    Vittorio laughed. “Or in the genes. Her mother’s a
neuroscientist, after all.”
    “Yeah,” Rome conceded with a sigh. “That, too.”
    By this time Rome had had enough of talking about Maria.
Time to change the subject to more important things, things that included the
soon-to-come arrival of a brand new baby.
    “Papa, I have a surprise for you,” he said. “Are you
sitting down?”
    There was a pause then Vittorio gave a grunt. "I
don’t like the sound of this. When somebody asks if you’re sitting down it’s
not usually to deliver good news.”
    “Rest assured, Pa, this time it’s good.” Rome had
absolutely no doubt about that. In fact, he was dying to share his good fortune.
“Pa,” he said, unable to keep the smile from his voice, “in less than a month
I’m going to be a father. I'll have a daughter and her name is Maya.”
    “ Scusi ? What are you saying? Your fiancée, she is
pregnant?”
    Rome laughed. “No. That’s what I thought when she told
me but it’s nothing like that. Before we met she applied to adopt a baby and
she just got word that she’s been approved. Isn’t that great?”
    Vittorio’s reaction was nothing like what Rome was
expecting. He’d thought his father would be shocked and then curious, plying
him with all kinds of questions, but silence? That, he wasn’t prepared for.
    After a long while Rome frowned. “Are you still there?”
    “I’m here,” came the answer but where he’d sounded
relaxed and jovial before, Vittorio’s voice was now so tight he almost sounded
angry. “You are not serious, I assume. You’re pulling my leg.”
    “No, I’m not,” Rome said, his frown deepening. “I’m dead
serious. Why? Is there a problem?”
    “I’m surprised you would even ask that. Of course
there’s a problem.” Now Vittorio wasn’t sounding ‘almost angry’. Rome knew that
tone very well. When his voice started vibrating that meant he was pretty angry.
“I had my reservations when you surprised us with this whirlwind engagement but
now I'm one hundred percent sure it's a mistake.  When a woman starts a
relationship by keeping secrets from you that’s a bad sign. A terrible sign. A
woman like that cannot be trusted.”
    “What are you talking about? I would trust Arie with my
life.” If it had been anybody else who’d made that remark he would have blasted
him with all the force of his fury. He would not let anybody badmouth Arie and
the only thing saving Vittorio right then was the fact that he held the
position of 'father'.
    “I wouldn’t recommend it,” Vittorio retorted. “Not after
this trick she just pulled on you."
    “It was not a trick. She’d been turned down. She had no
idea they would then come back and offer the child to her.”
    “When they did, she could have said no.” Vittorio’s
response was abrupt and devoid of emotion.
    “No, she could not.” Rome knew Arie and that was the
last thing she could have done. Not after meeting the child. Not after falling
in love with her.
    “Rome, listen to me.” Vittorio’s voice was stern.”
There’s something wrong with this picture. I don’t think you should trust this
girl.”
    “No, you listen, Papa. The baby doesn’t change anything-”
Rome stopped abruptly as a soft knock sounded on the door and Iyana pushed her
head in.
    “Your meeting,” she whispered, tapping her watch. “You’ve
only got four minutes.”
    “Thank you.” He only mouthed the words and then he was
scowling again, his attention focused on his father’s words.
    “Before you marry her,” Vittorio was saying, “I need to
meet her. I need to see what kind of woman you’re bringing into the family.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Rome said, his voice just as
firm. “I think you know you can trust me.”
    “You, I can trust. It’s her that I’m worried about. Rome,
I know you’re a man who makes his own decisions but just humor an old man. Before
you walk down the aisle bring her to