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    Raising His Baby: The Sartoris, #2
    Raising His Baby: The Sartoris, #2
    Raising His Baby: The Sartoris, #2
    Ebook131 pages2 hours

    Raising His Baby: The Sartoris, #2

    By Tressie Lockwood

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    About this ebook

    Author’s Note: While there is lots of delicious tension between the hero and heroine, this work is CLEAN.

    Everyone said Romy Sartori was the nice one, and Sonya hoped that was true. Otherwise, she wouldn't tell him the secret she's keeping, that she's raising his son. Sonya's half-sister didn't want Romy to know about his baby unless something happened to her.

    After an accident took Charlize's life, Sonya is raising her nephew as her own. She takes a job working as Romy's temporary assistant, but she's better at playing sports than wearing heels and running behind spoiled rich men. Disaster strikes, and Romy discovers the truth. It's too bad no one told Sonya Romy hates scheming women, and worse that she finds him irresistible.

    Romy might not be as bad as his brother Ezio, but he is a true Sartori at heart. He won't have his son raised anywhere else except in the Sartori mansion. If Sonya wants to stay with her sweet baby boy, she has no choice but to cave to Romy's will.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTressie Lockwood
    Release dateSep 23, 2016
    ISBN9781536546194
    Raising His Baby: The Sartoris, #2

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      Book preview

      Raising His Baby - Tressie Lockwood

      Chapter 1

      Romy drummed his fingers against the steering wheel of his Porsche 911 Carrera as he waited at the light. Ever since he made the decision to propose to his latest lover, his stomach didn’t want to settle down. He couldn’t concentrate on work, which meant he made mistakes that led his brother Ezio lighting into him. Worst of all, he wasn’t even sure this was the right move.

      Not that he loved her. Romy refused to fall for any woman after the one that broke his heart a few years ago. They were all deceivers, manipulative and out to satisfy only themselves. He knew some women weren’t nearly as bad as others. Yet, he couldn’t see where he should let himself love ever again. Heck, even Ezio’s wife married him for money.

      Lately, it looked like his younger brother and his wife were in love, but Romy figured Shakarri just felt it more convenient for her own purposes to show affection for Ezio. He wasn’t worried about Ezio because if any of the Sartoris was immune to being bested by a woman it was Ezio.

      Romy on the other hand had always been awkward around women. He could keep a cool head when it came to business, and he almost never lost his temper unlike Ezio. When the situation called for romance, a sense of shyness surfaced that he despised in himself. The only way he had learned to deal with it so far was when he was in Cason’s presence. His youngest brother was a born charmer, and a bit of Cason rubbed off on Romy when he got around Cason. He could tease and flirt with a woman and hide who he truly was.

      Knowing he didn’t desire an endless life of seducing women just to satisfy his baser needs, Romy had come to the conclusion that the only way out of it was to propose to someone. He considered taking the exact route Ezio had done, by making the woman a proposition, but that seemed too cold for him. He didn’t think he could remain married to a woman who he didn’t at least like. That led him to his current situation.

      Today, he planned to propose to his lover. He liked her. She was fun and open to having a family someday. She wasn’t too materialistic, although she enjoyed it when he gave her gifts. All women did. Romy had some reservations, but he put them down to distrust because of past experiences. Everything would be fine so long as he didn’t make her promises and spout off foolish declarations of love. Just the thought of it gave him a sour taste in his mouth.

      There’s nothing to be nervous about, he coached himself and drove on when the light changed. Just a few more minutes and he would arrive at his lover’s apartment. He grinned. Maybe I could learn to have…affection…for her.

      He chuckled. Affection sounded ridiculous. Ah well, that was all he had to give, and it shouldn’t matter. She would enjoy the prospect of a secure future. Romy might not own the bulk of Ezio’s businesses, but he did hold a healthy share of stock in them, which put him into wealthy territory in his own right. Outside of working for his brother, he had other investments, and if he chose to pursue them more aggressively, he might meet or exceed Ezio’s status. Money had never meant much. Nor was he as driven as Ezio. He liked a peaceful life, and working as one of Ezio’s executives suited him fine.

      Romy left his car in the lot and jogged up to the entrance. He paused before opening the door and looked to his left. Nervousness turned to dread in his stomach when he spotted the yellow McLaren P1 parked a few spots down from his vehicle. A blind man couldn’t miss the flashy ride that Cason loved to tool around Southern California.

      Why would he be there? As far as Romy knew, Cason wasn’t seeing anyone that lived in this area. In fact, Romy told Cason just a couple days ago about his plan. Cason, who never took anything or anyone seriously had laughed and walked away. His attitude annoyed Romy at the time, but he was used to Cason’s ways. His youngest brother never disrespected him but always did exactly what he wanted, no matter what anyone else’s opinion was.

      Can’t be him, Romy muttered as he entered the building. Yet, he couldn’t see many others, especially over this side of town, being able to afford a McLaren. A testament to Romy not being ready to face the truth, he avoided checking out the front plate, which should read Cason.

      When he reached the second floor, his lover’s apartment door stood slightly ajar. Romy pushed it a tad bit wider and prepared to call out. The words stuck in his throat. Strewn across the floor were pieces of clothing—a pair of shorts, women’s panties, a man’s shirt, and others all leading toward the hallway.

      Common sense told him to turn around and get out of there. He kept walking farther into the apartment, and when he stood outside the bedroom door, the high-pitched giggle and the teasing deep voiced response washed away the last of his denial. He was a fool.

      He kicked the door, and it banged against the wall. The sound of plaster crumbling made no difference to him. All his attention laid on the couple tangled in the bedsheets.

      Cason, he croaked.

      The blond squeaked in alarm. Romy, it’s not what you think. She clutched the sheet to hide her nakedness.

      He ground his teeth. I don’t know how I could misunderstand my brother sleeping with my lover.

      Cason watched him in silence for a minute as if judging Romy’s reaction. Of course, he wouldn’t cower or make excuses. His younger brother leaned back against the headboard, chest bare and one arm tucked behind his head.

      "Nothing happened yet," Cason said.

      I told you— Romy began.

      "This is awkward. Never thought you’d catch us, fratello."

      Romy cringed at Cason’s flippant use of brother in their native tongue. The storm of anger rising in him must have been apparent because his former lover scooted closer to Cason’s side, looking nervous.

      Cason’s gaze flitted from Romy to her and back again. No worries. She’s not any more important than the next one, right? Easily replaced.

      She whimpered and pouted, slapping Cason’s chest. How could you say that, Cason? I thought I was special.

      Romy blinked at her. He’d never seen her this way. She seemed to think since Romy didn’t respond to her she might have a better chance with his brother. He was dead wrong in thinking she wasn’t as bad as some women. It proved they were either all corrupt, or he had zero sense for choosing a good one.

      Lei non merita il nostro nome, Cason said in a deadpan tone.

      Romy clenched his right hand into a fist, but he kept it at his side. Although he hated admitting it, Cason was right. She didn’t deserve their name.

      What did you just say to him, Cason?

      His brother ignored her, keeping his focus on Romy.

      Romy sighed and unclenched his fist. He spun on his heel and marched for the door. The creak of springs behind him and his ex-lover’s whine of protest told him Cason followed. At the door, Cason grabbed his arm, standing there with a sheet around his waist.

      "Fratello, we’re okay?"

      Romy shook his hand off. Ma’ va te ne a fanculo.

      Cason whistled. Ouch. I’ve never heard you talk like that. I really screwed up.

      "You could have said you didn’t think she was right to be my wife. You didn’t have to prove it."

      Cason pounded his shoulder. Romy had the feeling he was getting a little payback for Romy cursing at him. "I’ll always have your back, fratello. I have to do things my way, or it wouldn’t be me."

      Romy wrenched the door open and stormed out. If he stayed another minute he would get into a fistfight, and that wasn’t his way. He dropped behind the wheel of his car, turned the engine over, and sped out of the parking lot. All he could think to do now was to throw himself into work and forget this humiliation—and the fact that he was foolish enough to think he could take a wife without being burned.

      Chapter 2

      Sonya hopped on one foot a couple times and tried to fix the strap on her shoe before she lost balance. Her ankle turned and banged on the ground. Sharp pain shot up her leg, and she groaned. When she righted herself and checked the damage, she found a hole in her pantyhose and blood staining the material.

      Ugh, that’s what I get for trying to wear heels!

      She had wanted to look good for her first day of temping, hoping to secure the position with a permanent job as soon as possible. Every chance she got she had gone into the agency and practiced on the computer. She had upped her skill level and increased her typing speed by leaps and bounds. Harassing the staff every day with phone calls had borne fruit at last, and this was her opportunity. In fact, it was her who had found out about the position at Sartori Incorporated and connected her agency with the company. They couldn’t help but let her go for the temporary secretary position when they won the bid. She had no intention of blowing this chance.

      She would kill two birds with one stone. First, she would impress the heck out of the Sartori management and get a permanent job. That way she could afford to take care of herself and Arron. More importantly though she could see what kind of man Romy Sartori was and insinuate herself into

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