Page 59 of Irreplaceable

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

“Are you sure about this?” Val asked.

“It’s a little late to back out now,” I said, watching as the movers loaded the last of my stuff onto the truck. My assistant, Nico, was supervising them while Val and I finalized some contracts.

“I’m not talking about the Leatherbacks, and you know it.”

I kept my attention on the truck. Nico had gone to talk to the men about something. “There’s nothing to discuss. I’ve made my decision.”

“Lorenzo.” Val’s tone was sharp, and she squared her shoulders. “There are many things to discuss. Paternity. The media. You can’t seriously think you’ll be able to keep this a secret much longer. You’re lucky you’ve been able to contain the news as long as you have.”

It was part of the reason I’d been avoiding Mammaduring my visit home. She’d always hoped I’d get married and have children. If she knew she was going to have a grandchild, she’d find it impossible to keep it a secret.

“Yes,” I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “I know. I plan to talk to Harper about it when I get back to LA.”

“You should’ve done it before now.”

“I would’ve.” I gnashed my teeth. “If she would talk to me.”

Val frowned. “She’s still giving you the silent treatment?”

Harper hadn’t shut me out completely, but talking to her was like trying to break through the wall on a free kick. Not impossible, but it definitely made it harder to score.

“She’s a little upset about how I’ve handled things.”

“Or she’s trying to milk you for more by making you feel guilty. By playing hard to get.”

I shook my head. “She’s not like that.”

“Look, Lorenzo,” Val sighed.

I shook my head. I didn’t want to get into it again. Val and I had already argued about Harper and the baby several times. She wanted Harper to get a paternity test. And I was convinced the baby was mine.

I understood where Val was coming from, and I appreciated her desire to protect me. The problem was, I did believe Harper. Even without a paternity test, I knew the child was mine. Or at least, I realized that I wanted it to be true. And that was almost scarier than finding out I was going to be a dad.

“No. Listen. We’ve been friends for a long time. We’ve done business together for a long time.”

“Why does it feel like you’re breaking up with me?” I teased.

“Because, lately, I wonder if you even want me as your agent. Since you insist on ignoring my advice, I’m not sure there’s a point in continuing to offer it.”

She couldn’t be serious. Could she? Even so, my heart started to race.

“Val, please.” I wasn’t sure whether I was chiding or pleading. “I need you.”

She’d been with me since the beginning, and she’d negotiated some of the best deals of my career. She was a wolf. She was ruthless and cunning, and I’d definitely benefited from having her on my team. I couldn’t do what I did without her. Her or Nico. They kept my business—and my life—running smoothly.

She’d been there when I’d lost my dad. And she’d been the one to push me to play at a level worthy of his memory. I couldn’t do this without her. The idea was incomprehensible.

“I just wonder if maybe we’d be better off ending the business side of our relationship.” She seemed hesitant, which wasn’t at all like Val.

“Because of this thing with Harper?”

“That’s certainly part of it,” she said. I was still trying to figure out where all of this was coming from. Why was she giving up? She never gave up. “I’m worried about you. You’ve had a lot of big changes in a short span of time.”

“Don’t add to them by quitting on me now,” I said.

“I’m not,” she sighed. “I’m not quitting on you. I’m just trying to get through to you.”