Dante's Marriage Pact by Day Leclaire

Author:Day Leclaire
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2010-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Six

Draco watched his wife-to-be take one look at Primo and start babbling. In Italian, no less.

“We’re getting married, I swear. First thing in the morning. Well, not first thing. I have a doctor’s appointment that I don’t think Draco will let me miss. But right after that we’re going straight to a justice of the peace and tying the knot. And don’t blame your grandson. It’s not his fault. He didn’t know I was pregnant and he’s been looking for me for nine months and would have insisted we marry even if I weren’t.” She paused long enough to snatch a quick breath. “Pregnant, I mean.”

Draco gently eased Shayla onto her feet. “So, what’s your surprise?” he asked his family.

Primo locked eyes with Draco, a wealth of information passing between them without a single word being spoken. “Your home. It is finished,” his grandfather announced at last. “We are giving you a surprise hothouse party. The women, they say it is tradition.”

It took Draco a split second to realize that hothouse meant housewarming. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Maybe we can also make it a pre-wedding celebration?”

His gaze swept his relatives, taking in the various reactions ranging from shock to bemusement to out-and-out laughter. Then they closed ranks. After all, they were Dantes and Dantes protected their own. They swept up Shayla, carried her off and eased her onto a couch, building pillows around her for added comfort. One by one, family members approached and introduced themselves while they plied her with food and friendly get-to-know-you questions.

Primo jerked his head toward the outside deck and Draco released a sigh of regret that he wasn’t also being pillowed and fed—and wouldn’t be anytime in the near future. Once they were outside Primo fumbled in his pocket for the cigar he always carried there, much to Nonna’s annoyance, not to mention his physician’s. He offered a second to Draco, who knew better than to refuse, given the current circumstances. The two men took their time with the trimming and lighting.

Then Primo devastated Draco with a single look. “You did this to her?”

The words, the look, all had him flinching. “The baby is mine, yes. I’m sorry, Primo. This isn’t the way I’d planned things.”

“I am unaware of the fact that you plan at all.”

The comment stung. Once upon a time it might have been true. But he’d worked long and hard the past decade to prove himself. To overcome the shame of losing the fire diamonds at a time his family teetered on the brink of financial ruin.

Draco fought for patience. “You know The Inferno hit the night of the Eternity reception. And you know Shayla disappeared the next day after we met to discuss leasing the Charleston mines.” He paced to the railing and studied the spectacular view through eyes blinded by the past rather than focused on the present. “I’ve been searching for her ever since she left. Two days ago I finally found her.”

“You marry tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Not by this justice of the peace, istigatore.

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