Crazy for Loving You: A Bluewater Billionaires Romantic Comedy(28)

Twelve





West



You can learn a lot by listening to four women talk.

And today, I’ve learned that Daisy has three solid friends who are just as terrifying as my sisters when they all get together.

That’s a compliment, by the way. There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing women glare daggers of we will go into Xena, Warrior Princess mode to protect our friend and this child at all costs.

They don’t need to worry about me. I’m just here as a temporary extra layer of protection between the baby and his evil grandparents.

I’m sitting in a chair across the pool, pretending to check email on my phone while soaking up this gorgeous Miami day, but I’m actually watching them as they all inspect the baby and gossip.

They’re too far away to read their lips, but I can read body language.

Pretty sure their entire conversation is reinforcements have arrived and you don’t need that jarhead over there.

I google each of them and confirm my suspicions.

They’re actually more dangerous than my sisters. And their testimony in court should hold far more weight than my presence, except nearly all of them have had some recent questionable publicity.

Where money goes, scandal follows.

Alessandro drops into the pool chair beside me and stares across the sparkling blue pool water at the women. “You’re actually sticking around? Without actual paperwork?”

Translation: these people can screw you at any moment. It’s like he knows. Knows how much I don’t want to get attached, but can’t walk away, because Daisy’s right.

This kid can’t go to his grandparents. He deserves a fighting chance.

And I don’t have another job lined up after the gym renovation is complete, nor do I have the beach house for much longer. I’d been thinking I’d move in with Becca, or at least closer to her, but clearly, that’s not happening.

I nod briefly. “Yep.”

I also know I’m an idiot for not having signed legal documents about what my rights are and aren’t when all this is over. But any signed legal agreements between Daisy and me specifying that I’m out of the picture as soon as Remy’s hers would basically eliminate the benefit of me being here to help her get him if anyone found them.

He nods with a short grunt.

Man-speak for appreciate the help you’re giving to the boss-lady, but you’re still a moron under your dented armor.

We both sit there for a few more minutes while the blonde—Emily Stanton, the billionaire skincare scientist—hands Remy back to Daisy. The women have been whispering for over an hour, taking turns fussing over the baby, but Emily’s the only one who held him.

“You the kid’s father?” Alessandro asks.

The question hits me out of left field and reminds me I’m in a completely different world. “What the fuck?”

He doesn’t flinch. “Rafe Roderick was a cheating asshole. Julienne was no angel. Just because she wasn’t a known cheat doesn’t mean she didn’t do it. Not judging. Just asking.”

“You want a DNA test?”

His gaze flicks to the women, who are hugging Daisy like they’re leaving, then back to me. “Crowd like this, DNA test will be the only reason you stick around any longer than it takes to get Anthony and Margot Roderick out of the picture.”

“That’s all I’m here for. Then I’m gone.” My beef isn’t actually with Daisy. She seems nice enough, if a little wild and unpredictable, and while the life she’ll most likely give Remy isn’t the one I’d pick for him, it won’t be a bad life, and I don’t think she’ll raise him to be an asshole. Nor do I think it’s ultimately my business.

Honestly, any other day, I’d let myself call her attractive.

But I’m not going there.

Not getting attached.

To either of them.

Alessandro’s watching me. “So you’re not trying to replace Sierra’s kids with Remy. Baxter and Nina, right? Those were her kids?”

I shove to my feet, because fuck.

My family won’t even say those names to me.

Somebody did his research. My jaw’s clenching, and I want to hit him, but that won’t help Remy either.

“Gentlemen, I’m hungry,” Daisy calls. She’s in a bikini that’s barely holding in her breasts, with her smooth, soft belly and curvy hips and legs on full display. And now that her friends have departed, there’s no distraction from looking at her. “Fish Tails for lunch. Twenty minutes. Let’s go.”

I eyeball her body again. There’s no way she can get dressed and get a baby prepped to get out the door in twenty minutes.

“Are you seriously doubting my abilities already, Mr. Jaeger?” she calls playfully, like she can read my mind.

“Just thinking delivery would be easier.”

“No way. I’m not staying cooped up in this house all day.”

“This house is forty thousand square feet,” I point out. Maybe not that big. But it’s fucking big. “Go to a different room.”

Alessandro smirks.

Daisy lifts her chest and puts her fists on her hips, drawing all of my attention to the sparkle in her belly button.

Hells, yeah! my balls cheer.