Ranger's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 2)

“Did your father know?”

“Did he know what?”

“That you started your own baseball empire from the ground? Did he have any idea?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. And I don’t care. But I came to my senses last night in Bella’s. I can finally have what I’ve always wanted. We can earn my inheritance together.”

“And what is it you’ve always wanted?”

I grinned. “You, sweet Evie, are going to help me buy my own major league team.”

16

Evie

If I thought I was in over my head before, I was certain of it now. Jeremy was more than what met the eye. He was not only gorgeous, but he was also brilliant. He had plans and dreams that blew my stupid screenplays out of the water. It seemed absurd now that I spent night after night downstairs in the cellar in the dark crafting scenes once the restaurant had closed. I spent hours rewriting dialogue until my eyes were bleary. He had spent years networking and investing.

I wanted a baby. He wanted to run his own legendary franchise. He was going to make a mark on the industry. I was trying to increase the human population.

“Evie?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yes. I just had no idea. I don’t know how you keep everything straight. How you manage so many businesses and contacts at once. I had a hard time with three tables at Bella’s. And what’s that compared to what you’ve done?”

“Don’t compare us. You’ve had your own struggles. I remember what you told me about your mother last night. And the demands of your family.”

“But how did you do all of this alone?”

“There’s one answer. Sasha.”

“The beautiful Russian.”

“My partner.”

“The one you’re not dating?” I wasn’t going to be foolish. There was no way I’d believe he hadn’t slept with her.

“I’m not dating her.”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re not dating her or you’ve never dated her?”

He groaned. “Why are we even talking about this? You and I have negotiated a good thing here. A perfect deal. People would kill to have this kind of marriage.”

I couldn’t let it go that easily. “An annulment won’t hurt my feelings. It will be quick and painless for both of us. How can you think after everything you just told me, that this is the kind of relationship that’s right for you? You need someone in your corner, Jer. You need a real support system. A real marriage.”

His eyes flared. “This is the relationship I need. You won’t interfere or distract me. We can live our lives however we want. I’ll focus on the team. You focus on writing and the baby. There’s no other obligation here.”

He zapped every ounce of romance out of the honeymoon suite with those words. The incredible sex didn’t soften him, or open his heart to me. It was only a part of the package. A clause in the contract. And when it came down to it, an amazing incentive to work harder and faster to produce his heir.

Could I live with that? Could I keep moving forward with this charade? Standing nearby while he conquered the sports world and I grew his baby.

He glanced at his watch. “The car should be downstairs by now. I can tell them we’re running a few minutes behind. It will give you a chance to change for our flight.”

My stomach churned. “Jer… ”

He stood from the table. He took my hand in his rough palm. “I was there, Evie. I was downstairs when you said your vows. You swore to be my wife.”