Because Of Love

He turned around to find himself alone in the office but for just a few minutes. Talia walked-more like waddled-in followed by the man who brought her. He led her to a chair and helped her sit down before he turned to the door.

Rafe noticed the relief on Talia’s face when she sat down, before she winced, her hand moving to her back.

“What do you want?” he barked, startling her.

“I think it’s best to wait for your lawyer,” the man commented, moving to stand behind Talia.

“I’m here,” Angelo spoke closing the door.

“Wonderful,” Rafe commented dryly as he perched himself on the desk, then he leaned down until his face was inches away from Talia’s. He had an incredulous desire to kiss her lush lips but he held back and whispered, “What do you want, Talia?”

He watched as the tip of her tongue darted out to slide between her lips. His fingers tightened on the edge of the desk to keep himself from reaching for the back of her neck and pulling her forward so she could run that tongue over his lips.

He immediately knew she had the same thought when her eyes darted to his lips and she visibly swallowed.

But then she leaned back and spoke, “What you accused me of when I called you after that day…your money.”

Rafe sat up and barked out a laugh. “Not on your life!”

Talia shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly and shifted her gaze to her hands on her belly.

Rafe turned to the man behind her. “Who the hell are you?”

The man blinked a few times. “Garrison, Miss McKenna’s lawyer, and you don’t have to be so abrasive.”

“When I want lessons in etiquette I’ll hire a professional,” Rafe retorted.

The man, Garrison, stood straighter. “Let’s just get down to business, shall we?”

He placed his briefcase on the desk and opened it, pulling out several more papers and handing them to Angelo.

“As my client said, we are after your money, just for medical bills and child support. Nothing more. And of course her job back at your U. S. office.”

Rafe scoffed, moving around the desk to sit in the priest’s leather cushioned seat. Seeing how uncomfortable Talia was on the wooden one, he knew he should offer her the comfortable one, but, he wasn’t feeling very charitable at the moment.

“What proof is there that Signore DeLuca is responsible for the pregnancy?” Angelo asked.

“He’s the only one I was intimate with,” Talia commented shyly, keeping her gaze away from Rafe.

That riled him. Merde! It stirred hot raging lava in the pit of his stomach. “Look at me when you say that.”

Talia turned to him, the softness in her eyes disappearing. “You were the only one I was having sex with.”

Rafe chuckled bitterly, swiveling the seat from side to side. “Now, we both know that isn’t true.”

Her gaze hardened. “Don’t be a bastard, Rafe!”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I know who and where my father is, where is yours?” He saw the hurt in her eyes and cursed himself for it. It was a low blow and he knew it. “That is not my kid, and you’re not going to pin it on me.”

“Yes, you aren’t the first man I’ve slept with but you were the only one I was with when we were together!” she yelled.

Rafe punched both his fists on the top of the desk, pushing the seat back so hard as he stood, it hit against the wall and bounced back barely touching his knees when it came to a stop.

“What about my brother, Renaldo, or his friend Alex? Are you saying you didn’t sleep with them too?”

Talia’s brow furrowed in what he could see as confusion. “What are you talking about? I never slept with your brother or his friend!”

He punched the desk harder, his entire body trembling with rage. “Don’t lie to me! That last night you fucked my brother!”

She shook her head, an overflow of tears in filling her eyes, a look of horrific dismay commanding her face. “I would never do that to you, Rafe. I loved you too much to do that to you. But you betrayed me.” She quickly wiped away stray tears. “I loved you and you betrayed me. You drugged me without even caring about the effects it would have on me or my pregnancy!”

Rafe was done with the lies and accusations. How could she deny that he caught her in bed with his own brother? His brother!

“Were you trying to induce a miscarriage, Rafe? I tell you I’m pregnant and you drug me and leave me all alone.” She slapped her hand over her mouth to keep the sobs in, tears running unchecked down her cheeks. His chest tightened as he watched her.

Rafe didn’t understand it. He knew Talia couldn’t lie to save her life, but the performance she was putting on at the moment deserved an award. And when exactly had she told him she was pregnant? That wasn’t something he would just forget.

There was only one way to solve this.

“Angelo, ask Renaldo to come in here.”

“Can’t, he left.”

Rafe turned to him. “What?”

Angelo shrugged, shaking his head. “Your brother left the moment you two walked in here.”

“And Alex?”

Angelo shook his head darting a look at Talia and her lawyer. “Snuck out before the ceremony was interrupted.”

“I wonder why.” The accusatory words were whispered so softly he was sure she hadn’t meant for him to hear.

But at that moment, his thoughts were far from Talia. Something wasn’t right with this whole picture and he was sure his brother was the man to ask.

“Angelo, see to her short term needs, while I take care of something. And dismiss everyone one. It seems I won’t be getting married today.” he said then left ignoring Talia, not even sparing her a glance.