The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper

Had he been...wrong about her?

He pushed down the emotion rising in his heart. No. He couldn’t believe that. He clenched his jaw.

“So you moved to New York and replaced me with another rich man.”

Lola shook her head. “Sergei was just my boss. I worked for him during my pregnancy, until the baby was born.”

He frowned. “You worked?”

“As his secretary.”

He wasn’t surprised Lola had easily found a new job. She’d been a stellar assistant, and after their breakup, when he’d fired her, he’d still directed his HR staff to give her the glowing reference her work deserved. But, he didn’t understand. “Why would you work? You had my check.”

She lifted her chin. “I’ve kept that money in reserve to provide for the baby. I got us a nice apartment, and have stayed home since he was born, to take care of him. And—” she mumbled, looking away “—I studied for my GED.”

Rodrigo stared at her in shock. “Your what?”

Lola looked at him. “It means General Equivalency Diploma—”

“I know what it means,” he snapped at her. “But why would you need one?”

“Employers expect at least a high school diploma these days, if not a college degree. I was tired of feeling bad about it. So I studied for the test.” She bit her lip. “I took it last week. I haven’t heard yet if I passed.”

“You’re worrying about your résumé?” Jealousy pulsed through him, unwelcome and unreasonable. “That Russian was offering to marry you and cover you with diamonds.”

Lola’s lips lifted bitterly. “I loved one rich man, once.” Her voice was acid. “That experience was enough for a lifetime. My son and I are better off alone.”

Rodrigo’s world was spinning. “Son? What’s his name?”

“Jett. Jett Price.”

He blinked. “You called him what?”

“What’s wrong with it?” she said defensively.

“It sounds like something that might get mentioned in a stock report from Boeing or Airbus. Jet price?”

“No one will think of it that way!”

“His surname should be Cabrera.”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “He’s fine as he is.”

“I want a paternity test. And then—”

“Then what?”

“Then we’ll see,” he said softly.

Lola looked at him for a long moment. Most of the people in his world feared him, and with good reason. He’d built his media empire by being ruthless and unpredictable. Looking down at her, he half expected to see fear. He should have known better.

“We’re better off without you.” Her eyes were defiant. “I won’t let you take my child from me, Rodrigo.”

“And you think you can fight me?” he said softly. “You know what I’m capable of.”

“Yes.” Lola lifted her chin. “And you know me.”

“What does that mean?”