Bred by the Billionaire

He opened the door.

“Tobias, is that any way to answer the door?” asked his mother. He glanced down at himself, not really giving a shit that he only had jogging pants on.

“What does social protocol tell us about showing up uninvited?”

She ignored his question and pushed past him into the condo, followed by his father and another woman. “Tobias, this is Gloria Ellen Palmer. You remember her, don’t you?”

“Should I?”

“Don’t be rude. She was at the country club golf tournament last year,” said Julia, his match-making mother. He was forty-five, not twenty-five. Tobias did not need help finding a woman, certainly not from his family.

“Julia, it’s early Saturday morning, and you’ve shown up without calling. I’m not in the mood.”

“I’ve tried calling, but you never answer your phone.”

His father, Andrew Bennett, stood there with the same miserable frown permanently creased into his features. He’d been a cold, demanding father growing up, never accepting an ounce of weakness from him. Tobias had to remind himself he was no longer a helpless child, and the old bastard no longer called the shots in his life.

“Your mother went through a lot of trouble to arrange Gloria’s visit today. I’d think you’d at least be grateful,” said Andrew.

“I never asked to be set up,” he said. “But if this has anything to do with the heir you’re so insistent on, I’ve got it covered.”

His mother looked back and forth from him to his father, confusion on her face. “I don’t understand.”

Tobias closed the front door and walked through the great room to the kitchen. Adora was still standing behind the counter where he’d left her.

“I’d like you to meet Adora Garcia,” he said, waving his hand in her direction. “Adora, my parents.” He internally cringed. This was not the first face-to-face he’d planned. It was supposed to include a nice dinner and grand introduction, everyone on their best behavior.

“It’s nice to meet you,” said Adora, her sweet, shy voice making him smile.

His mother didn’t even acknowledge her, rolling her eyes less than discreetly. “Now, what were you saying about an heir?”

He ground his teeth together. No one tested his patience more than his own family. “I’m trying to introduce you to the mother of my child.”

Julia’s jaw dropped. “The maid? What are you talking about, Tobias? Explain yourself.”

This was turning out to be worse than dinner last night. He kept fucking up over and over, and how long until Adora had had enough?

“Why would you assume she’s my fucking maid?”

“Language, Tobias.”

“You know, I thought you’d be happy. I entered this whole ‘keep the Bennett name alive challenge’ because of you. Now, I’m telling you there’ll be a baby here in nine months, and not even a congratulations?”

“You’ve impregnated this girl? I can’t even count the number of eligible women I’ve introduced you to. Are you purposely being defiant?”

“If either of you think I’m going to let you pick my wife, you don’t know me at all. I call the shots. I pick my own woman, and Adora’s the one I choose.”

Just then the sound of the front door opening and closing caught everyone’s attention. Maria came around the corner with her cleaning supplies in her arms for her usual Saturday morning shift. Tobias scrubbed both hands over his face. Fuck me.

“And who is this now?” asked Julia. “Another maid?”

“That’s my mother,” said Adora.

His mother snorted.

“Can we talk in private?” asked Andrew. “You’re going to give your mother a nervous breakdown.”

His mother would need emotions in order to have a breakdown. She was just pissed off she didn’t get her way. Appearances and the right people meant everything to her, so Adora would be a major letdown. He wasn’t desperate for their approval like he was years ago, but a small part of him had hoped his parents would accept Adora with open arms.

He wouldn’t hold his breath.

“Anything you have to say, you can say right here.”

Andrew adjusted his jacket and shoulders. “I was too lenient with you. Gave you too much freedom. Why else would you shame the Bennett name like this?”

“What shame? Because I won’t jump into bed with Rod Palmer’s daughter? You wanted a baby, I delivered. If you can’t accept my choice, then I suggest you refrain from popping in again.”

His dad began to lead his mother to the door, turning back once. “We will talk about this later.”

“Unless you’re planning a baby shower, we have nothing to talk about.”

When they got to the door, his father glared at him, only a couple feet away. Tobias waited for some smart-ass comment. “I can’t believe we put all our hopes on you. Such a mistake.”

Tobias held his arms out to his sides. “Well, I’m all you’ve got. Or have you forgotten what happened to your first son?”

They left without another word, and he locked the door, resting a hand against the wood as he collected himself. His parents’ reaction didn’t surprise him. What mattered was the fact Adora had witnessed the freak show. He didn’t want their behavior to impact him, but their bullshit parenting was deep-seated. Maximus had been right. Tobias was chasing the wind trying to please them. Nothing would ever be enough, and they’d destroy him if he kept striving for their version of perfection.