Free His Love by M. O. Kenyan Page B

know what to say to her...” her voice faltered over the obvious.
    “My daughter is referring to this lady here.” Antonio pointed and Rayne noticed he was more at ease with the term.
    “I doubt that’s what she meant, but I’ll go to her.” Rayne pulled her t-shirt down. She shot Antonio a look of awe when she realized her bra was unhooked. “You are very talented and skillful, quick too.”
    “Well, you don’t get to be in a position like mine without talent and skill.” His smile widened into a grin that crinkled the skin around his eyes. “I could help you with that.”
    “No thanks.” Rayne chuckled as she hooked herself up. She stepped out of the hospital room and noticed the familiar men in black littered around the hospital. “I didn’t know they were here.”
    “I need to protect the people I love.” He pulled her to his side. “I have no doubt that the nurse has told everyone she caught us kissing. People know that you are more than my daughter’s nanny and Alessandria calling you mommy just affirmed it.”
    “I doubt I need the men in black to tail me everywhere.” Rayne chuckled, doubtful that anyone would want to kidnap her. What for?
    Antonio stopped her, his hands resting on her shoulders he said, “Don’t go anywhere without them.”
    He didn’t elaborate, but pulled her into his daughter’s room. Alessandria smiled and reached out for Rayne, calling her mommy once again. She exchanged a confused look with Antonio.
    “Why are you calling me mommy, sweetheart?”
    “Because you are,” she said before slipping back to sleep.
    “Are you comfortable with this?” Rayne asked. She didn’t think Antonio wanted another woman to usurp Maria’s role in his daughter’s life.
    “I am if you are.” He gazed at her. “I understand if you are uncomfortable.”
    Rayne’s heart felt raw about being called mommy. Her hands flirted above her belly. She always felt the phantom kicks and movements. Her little girl would have been the same age as Alessandria. A strange eddy of fear and excitement rocked her, but she was afraid of what would happen to Alessandria if her relationship with Antonio didn’t work out.
    It was about half an hour before a full work-up on both her and Alessandria came back. The doctor pulled Rayne aside and gave her the results, but there was nothing normal about them. What was it that my mother used to say ? “Be careful what you say. The wind will carry your words and take them to someone who will make them come true.”

Chapter Eight
    Antonio watched Rayne out of the corner of his eye as they drove home. She was silent and any attempt to make her share the doctor’s report fell on deaf ears. But there was nothing that happened in his domain that he didn’t know about. Rayne was pregnant, two months along and he was sure the baby was his. He wanted to tell her that he knew, but he couldn’t risk her thinking that he was invading her privacy. He decided to wait for her to come to him. Antonio was done forcing people to succumb to his will; although Rayne never did, but he was still willing to wait.
    “Do you want something to eat?” he asked once they were back at the house.
    “No,” she whispered. “I don’t think Alessandria will wake up in the middle of the night, but could you check on her if she did.”
    “Sure, where are you going?” he asked, tormented by the struggle he saw in her eyes. She wanted to tell him, he could see that. But she wrestled with the decision. Who could fault her? After the way he acted with Alessandria he didn’t blame her if she wanted to save herself and her child, their child. Because of that he would make sure that she didn’t leave the house alone.
    “I’m going to go sleep at my place tonight.”
    “Do you want me to walk you; I promise not to maul you.” He lifted his hands above his head and smiled at her.
    She smiled back. “I might just want you to, but I need some room to think, especially with Alessandria