Free The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement by Charlene Sands Page B

offices in downtown Napa. His two brothers shook their heads in disapproval. “You’re good, little brother,” Joe said,“but I didn’t know how good. You met her what, twenty-four hours ago?”
    Normally, Nick didn’t let his brothers get to him, but right now he wasn’t in the mood for their wisecracking. He spoke through tight lips. “It was two days ago. And more like she met with the front end of my Ferrari. She’s working for me, to pay off her debt.” Hell, he made her sound like an indentured servant. With a brisk wave of the hand, he added, “It’s complicated.”
    Tony’s laughter filled the air. “Complicated as in a honey blonde with pretty blue eyes.”
    â€œYou liked her back in high school,” Joe said. “You know what they say about the one that got away.”
    â€œShe’s got a baby,” Nick said in his defense. “Or are you forgetting about the kid?”
    â€œYou think that’s gonna stop you?” Tony looked skeptical.
    â€œHell yeah.” Nick wasn’t father material. He’d learned from the master. He had enough of his old man in him to know he wouldn’t make a good daddy. The blood ties ran thick. He never planned on having children, thus saving some poor child his ruthless tendencies.
    â€œWe think not,” Tony said glibly, leaning back in his chair and stretching out. He darted a glance at Joe.
    â€œThen, you think wrong,” Nick said, ready to change the subject.
    After Candy Rae’s deception, Nick had lost faith in the opposite sex. Not that he didn’t love women, but he wouldn’t be foolish enough to place his trust in a female again. He’d lost out on his dream because of Candy Rae’s lies and his father’s self-serving manipulations. He’d been crushed and trampled on like the precious grapes that his father had loved so much. For that, he hated what he did for a living, feeling his father had won. Nick spent most of histime in Europe, away from the place that caused him such heartache. He’d made enough smart financial investments to break loose of his father’s ties forever and was about to do so, but then Santo up and died. Nick came home because his brothers needed him. He was here because of them even though they were a pain in his rear end. Nick liked things simple and getting too involved with Brooke and her bundle of trouble would only complicate his life.
    â€œWant to put money on it?” Tony said, baiting him.
    â€œDamn right,” Nick said. “A betting man always likes to take money from suckers. Name your price.”
    Joe sat straight up in his seat and Nick saw his brother do mental calculations. “What if it’s not for cash? What if we wager something more important?”
    â€œLike what?” Nick furrowed his brows.
    â€œLike if you fall for her, you take over the company.”
    Nick fell back against his seat in shock.
    â€œI like it,” Tony said. “The nameplate on the door will read, Nick Carlino, CEO.”
    â€œDon’t go counting your chickens. I haven’t agreed to this yet. Seems this is a little lopsided. What do I get if I win?”
    Joe didn’t hesitate to answer. “Easy, if you win and you don’t fall hard for that gorgeous woman and her little girl, you’re completely off the hook. You’ll get your fair share of the empire but you won’t have to run the company.” Joe looked to Tony. “Does that sound fair?”
    Tony nodded. “That’s right. If you win, it’ll be between Joe and I.”
    â€œYou said if I fall for Brooke. Define fall for. ”
    â€œThe whole enchilada, Nick,” Joe said. “Love, marriage and baby carriages.”
    Nick grinned. He’d never been in love before. He didn’t think himself capable and marriage to any woman wasn’tin his game plan. Ever. Just because the two of them found