Page 28 of Claimed
“Of course it is,” whispered Julia. “You have a baby. I mean, it’s unreal.”
Santino tapped the table. “We gotta establish your paternity. There are two ways. One, you sign a document acknowledging that you’re the father. The second way is through a judicial process.”
My mind was numb. “I think I’m with Rome. Involving lawyers will make things messy.”
Santino glowered. “You have to if you want to be a part of his life. She’s not going to want anything to do with a Costa.”
“Nonsense. He just needs to sweeten the pot.” Romeo leaned forward with a half-smirk. “Have you considered marrying her?”
The question landed like a stone in a pond, the ripples catching everyone by surprise. Julia snorted wine and doubled over, coughing. Santino stroked her back and stared at Romeo.
“Marry her?” he asked.
“That’s crazy,” Julia and Elena chimed.
Romeo shrugged, pouring more wine. “It seems like the perfect solution to me. Secures the kid’s future and gives you complete authority over him.”
Julia wiped her shirt. “I don’t know.”
Romeo put the bottle down. “Marrying her gives Jack the stable home he needs. And he never has to worry about co-parenting or another guy entering the picture.”
Santino frowned.
Fuck. I hadn’t thought of that angle. Suppose Violet found someone cool with dating a single mom? The concept of moving in a toddler churned in my stomach, but a strange man raising my kid set me on fire. No. I’d never let that happen.
I released a harsh breath. Violet was a complication I normally wouldn’t hesitate to remove, but…I couldn’t. Turning this situation into a nasty custody battle would hurt Jack, and he’d already been through enough. Marriage kept them both under my thumb.
I looked at Romeo. “I’ll do it.”
Romeo swirled his glass. “Good. That’s settled, then.”
“You’re both crazy,” Santino said, shaking his head. “When Ma finds out?—”
“She’ll get over it.”
Julia glanced at me. “But don’t you want to marry for love?”
Elena frowned. “This is a really bad idea.”
“I second that,” Santino agreed.
Sabrina raised a hand. “Thirding.”
I stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I need to leave. Thanks for coming.”
My sisters remained seated, glowering at me, but my brothers got up and shrugged on their coats. They knew when I’d made up my mind. Julia picked up my glass as I put on my coat.
“Try to give her grace, Killie. I know you’re upset, but think about what she’s been through. She lost her sister, inherited a child, and was told to stay away from you. She must’ve been terrified.”
Sabrina, the least sensitive of the group, snorted. “He doesn’t know this girl. She could claw his eyes out in his sleep.”
I zipped up my jacket. “I don’t get those vibes from her, but I’ll lock my door.”
Sabrina clasped my shoulder. “Well, I’m with you if you decide to go on a warpath. Love you.”
She kissed my cheek and headed out.
Elena was next. She threw her arms around me, dragging me into a fierce hug. She pulled back, her eyes glistening. “I’m proud of you for doing the right thing. Just imagine what that poor angel has been through.”