The guys all joined me in the company. We’re looking at going worldwide in the next year. If I can secure a deal with the largest publishing house in Europe then Indie Ink Publishing will be unbeatable. That was Dad’s dream and I’m going to make sure it happens.
While I’m waiting for Rhett, I phone George, my attorney. I quickly bring him up to speed with what I need before I let the man turn in for the night. Logan is training under George so he can take over from the old man when he retires.
Rhett comes in just as I phone Logan.
“It’s midnight and I’m on vacation,” Logan growls as he answers the phone.
“I just spoke to George so he’ll handle things. Della told me that Daniele is mine. I told George to get a DNA test done. If she’s really mine then we need to set something in place to protect her.”
“Fuck,” Logan groans. “I’ll start on it first thing in the morning.”
“Thanks.” I throw the phone on the couch and start to stalk up and down again. I’ve never felt so restless in my life.
“What happened?” Rhett asks. He picks up my phone and drops it on the table before he stretches out on the couch.
“Daniele is mine. That little girl from the diner is mine.”
Rhett sits back up, but he doesn’t look surprised. “I saw that one coming the second I saw her in Della’s arms.”
“Of course. I keep forgetting you’re all-fucking-knowing,” I growl at him.
“Don’t be pissed off at me. It’s your cock that got her pregnant.”
I take a deep breath so I don’t lose my shit with my best friend.
“She said she wrote to me, that Charlotte threatened her to stay away,” I grind the words out.
“Well, think about it. Did you tell Charlotte about Della?”
“Of course not. It had nothing to do with my fucking PA!”
“Calm your tits, man. I know this is all a shock to you, but you need to stay calm or you’re going to fuck this all up. The point I’m trying to make is that Charlotte had no way of knowing that Della was the real thing. The woman has to deal with all your fan mail. I’m sure there are a lot of women out there claiming that you’re t
he father of their kid. This kind of thing happens when you have money.”
I wipe tiredly over my face. “You’re right.”
I once got a call from a guy that threatened to kill his family if I didn’t give him ten thousand dollars. That was the only time I answered Charlotte’s phone. Things got so busy I forgot about it. How many calls like that does she get?
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Right now you need to get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll figure it all out. One thing you have to keep in mind is that you can’t make any decisions about that kid without thinking of Della. You fucked up four years ago. Don’t fuck up again.”
I glare at him as he leaves but I know he’s right.
I’m heading for a shit storm of epic proportions.
One thing is certain, if that DNA test proves that Daniele is mine, there is no way I’m leaving this town without her.
CHAPTER 12
DELLA
“I wanna wear the pink ones,” Danny says for the hundredth time.
I didn’t sleep much last night and I’m trying to be patient with her. “You wore it yesterday, Danny. It’s dirty. Wear your purple socks.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, her bottom lip starts to tremble and she looks absolutely heartbroken. “I want my pink ones,” she whispers as the first fat tear rolls down her cheek.