Page 22 of Baby Bump for the Mafia Boss

“You look beautiful in all of it,” Dane says gruffly.

I roll my eyes. “You’re just saying that so I’ll be quick with the shopping.”

“No.” The expression on his face as he allows his gaze to drop, almost caressing my body, heats me from the inside. “I’m absolutely not.”

I have no idea how to deal with this version of my boss. This whole thing is incredibly confusing, from him being the real father to pretending to be the father, to being sweet and kind after deserting me for four months.

“You don’t know what looks good when pregnant either, though.” I return to critically appraising my appearance in the mirror. “I guess I wish I had another opinion.”

“A friend?” Dane suggests. “I can have one of my men pick them up.”

I bark with unexpected laughter. “That would be terrifying!”

His expression remains the same. “I’ll send my least scary man. Brian?”

Shaking my head, I sigh. “It doesn’t matter. I think I’ll leave clothes. Maybe when I’m showing more, it will be obvious what I should wear.”

“We’re here now, though,” he insists. “If you can’t take my word for it, or the shop assistants’, I’ll bring your friends?—”

“I don’t have any friends!” I snap, emotion rising in my voice.

He’s silent for a beat. “You do. You have?—”

“They stopped hanging out with me.” I’ve told him about all my friends from university, but I’ve held back some more embarrassing details. Like I never see them anymore.

“Why?” he demands.

Because of you. Because my job kept me so busy and out of the country for half the month. Because I let them down one too many times. Because I love you far more than I ever cared about them, and eventually I couldn’t hide that.

“We grew apart. And besides, none of them are pregnant, or have kids. They wouldn’t know either. I need someone who has children, and who isn’t being paid.” An impossible task.

Dane’s eyes narrow, and he gives a curt nod. “Will you try on something more?” I start to make a noise of dissent. “For me.”

For him? Of course I’d do anything for him. Even carry his secret baby and continue this confusing charade.

It hits me again that he doesn’t want a relationship with me so much he’s going to all this trouble. A stronger, less hopelessly in love girl would demand clear answers or just tell the billionaire mafia boss to get stuffed. I’m neither of those, so I’m coping as best I can.

I nod.

“I’ll bring you some things.” And then he’s gone.

By the time I’ve removed the dress, there’s another shoved through the gap in the changing room curtain, and I put it on obediently. I suppose if I’m going to be a kingpin’s… I’m not sure what I am. The mother of a mafia boss’ acknowledged child? I should be better dressed than I was as his assistant.

“We were just around the corner, and we came as fast as we could!” a female voice says. I’m checking the line of this dress, which admittedly is cute.

I tilt my head.

“Thank you,” Dane’s deep voice replies to the woman.

Jealousy pricks me. What’s going on? Obviously, I have no claim on Dane, but I am irrationally possessive of him, anyway. He must have called this woman specifically.

“Where is she? Have her waters broken?” says another female voice. “How far apart are the contractions?”

What?

“And are you sure it’s not Braxton Hicks? They’re very convincing.” A third woman.

Ready to breathe fire, I draw back the curtain and come face to face with three girls about my age. Two are in jeans and tops, the other is wearing a floaty dress.