Free Beverly Jenkins by Destiny's Surrender

“Billie?”
    “Yep. It’s me.”
    He then eyed the baby and appeared even more confused. “What are you doing here?”
    “I’ve already apologized to your mother for dropping in like this but I didn’t have a choice. This is your son.”
    “What!” He eyed the baby before pinning her with startled and then angry eyes, but she didn’t quake. Her son’s well-being depended on how this played out and she refused to show fear. “He’s a year old and his name’s Antonio Andrew.”
    For a few seconds he appeared to be speechless. When he finally found his voice it was accusing. “When I saw you on the wharf, you said you didn’t know who the father was. And now you show up here and expect me to believe he’s mine!”
    “It’s not about what you believe Drew. It’s the truth!”
    “A truth you can’t prove, I’m betting.”
    “How much money you got?”
    His mother sat up straighter.
    Billie supposed he had every right to be upset, and she should’ve let the sarcasm roll off her back like water off a duck, but if he wanted proof, she’d give him proof.
    While the Yateses looked on, Billie hunkered down beside her son and raised the hem of his jumper. She turned him so they could see his bare back. Drew’s mother drew in an audible breath of shock and whispered, “ Dios! ”
    Drew’s face grew stormier. He walked over and rubbed at the spot with his thumb as if it might be something she’d placed there in ink.
    “It’s real. I might be a whore, but I’m not a conniving one. The baby’s yours.”
    He glared. “How much?”
    They were interrupted by a woman so small and beautiful, Billie thought she could have been a fairy princess. From the expensive slippers and gold gown to her rose-tipped nails and exquisite face, she exuded everything Billie would never be. “ Novio, our guests are beginning to worry.” She noticed Billie and paused. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a visitor. I’m Rosaline.”
    “I’m Billie. Nice to meet you.”
    “Rosaline’s my fiancée,” Drew informed her flatly.
    “She’s very beautiful. Congratulations.”
    The young woman’s attention shifted to the baby, who stared up as if as impressed by her beauty as his mother. “And who is this handsome little one?” she asked leaning down to his level.
    “My son,” Billie replied.
    Tonio smiled and tried to grab her necklace. Billie went over and picked him up before he could cause any major damage.
    “How old?” she asked and stroked his cheek.
    “Just turned a year old.” Billie didn’t dare look at Drew.
    But Drew had apparently had enough and the look on his face must have given him away, because Rosaline asked with concern, “Is everything all right?”
    He took her hands in his and kissed the rosy tips. “Yes, my love. Just a bit of business. Nothing to concern yourself with. I’ll be right out.”
    Billie looked away only to be ensnared by his mother’s cool scrutiny. What she might be thinking, Billie couldn’t tell, but hoped her own feelings were equally masked.
    Billie heard the fiancée say to Drew, “I’m holding you to that.” She then directed parting words at Billie. “Nice meeting you and your son.”
    “Nice meeting you, too.”
    With a rustle of silk she was gone.
    Drew didn’t waste any time getting back to the matter at hand. “So how much is this little surprise going to cost me?”
    “Train fare to Chicago, but just for me.” She was about to step into the deepest part of these troubled waters and prayed she didn’t drown.
    “What do you mean, just for you? What about him?”
    “I’m leaving him here.”
    She saw his mother’s eyes widen and flash to the child squirming in her arms.
    “How long?”
    “Forever.”
    “The hell you are!”
    “I have to!”
    “What kind of game are you playing here, Billie?”
    “This isn’t a game and if you’d shut up long enough to let me explain, you’ll see why.”
    He was furious and she wasn’t experiencing much calm