The Baby Bombshell: The Billionaire's Baby Swap / Dating for Two / The Valtieri Baby

“I need to tell you something because I know you are a good person and a wonderful mother.”

Valentina’s brows broke into a delicate frown. “I think the world of you, too. What’s wrong?”

“If my husband knew I was here to tell you this, he’d have grounds to divorce me. The mood he has been in since the baby switch has been very hard on me.”

“Why has it upset him so much?”

“He’s convinced that if it hadn’t happened, Giovanni would have been to see Tatania by now and help her to get better emotionally.”

“I see.” Knowing how Giovanni really felt made this uncomfortable for Valentina.

“Giovanni’s preoccupation with both babies has changed him. His mind isn’t on the pressures of his position as CEO. He told me he has no intention of suing the hospital for the mishandling of the babies. For that decision my husband blames you for living in this house and your influence over him.”

She shook her head. “I have no influence, Violeta. He loves both babies. That love has prompted him to make certain decisions. I—I love both babies, too,” she confessed. “This has been hard on everyone. We’re trying to do the right thing.”

“Nevertheless my husband has been in conference with Giovanni’s father, and there’s a groundswell from the board to ask Giovanni to step down as CEO. Were you aware of that?”

“No—” Valentina clutched the edge of the table. She felt like she’d been shot. “But you can go home and tell your husband he has nothing more to worry about. I’ll be living in Naples by the end of the week.”

“You mean at Giovanni’s apartment there?”

Valentina knew he kept one, but he’d never pushed it on her. He understood she wanted to be independent. Something about his calm, caring demeanor made her want to do things his way.

“No. Winter semester is starting at the university. I’ll be living nearby in an apartment I’ve found and putting Vito in day care. I hope to graduate in the spring and get a job.”

“You’re going to work?”

“Yes. I plan to be an engineer like my brothers.”

“Oh—” She looked shocked. “You must be very brilliant.”

“I wish.” She’d never felt she could measure up to her brothers, but having given birth to Vito had given her a new sense of self-worth, never mind that Giovanni had contributed to that feeling. “But the point is, I’m convinced that the babies are happy now and that they’ll be able to handle the separation so Giovanni and I can get on with our lives.”

She stared at Valentina through eyes reflecting torment. “So you and Giovanni—?”

“We’re not lovers, Violeta,” she answered the unasked question. “We’re friends who’ve been through a terrible ordeal and are doing our best to work things out.”

Violeta looked downcast. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s all right. Giovanni loves you and loves it that you’re Ric’s grandmother.”

Her brown eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I love him, and I love both your babies.”

Now Valentina was weepy. “They’re hard not to love.”

“You’re easy to love, too.” Valentina hadn’t expected that confession from Tatania’s mother. “No matter what you say, I see it in Giovanni’s eyes.”

“What you see is a man who has fallen in love with fatherhood.” He was still in that state of euphoria, and it made his gorgeous black eyes shine. “In that respect he’s unique.”

“I agree,” she whispered and got up from the table. “I’m going to tell my husband what you said. It will give him hope that Giovanni and my daughter will get a second chance.” Valentina’s heart sank, but it wasn’t her place to disabuse the older woman. “I know it will stop all the talk over asking Giovanni to step down.”

Valentina kept a smile on her face. “That’s good for the Laurito company. Now, why don’t you stay for a while. You can feed Ric his bottle.”

“You’d let me?”

“Of course. He loves his nonna.”

Violeta walked around and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll come again, but your news is too important. I need to get back home and talk to my husband.”

Valentina walked her to her car. When she’d disappeared, Valentina found Stazie in the sunroom putting flowers in a vase.

“Stazie? I need to fly to Naples. I know this is a great imposition, but could you tend the boys until I get back? Giovanni might get home first. I’m just not sure.”

“Of course I’ll tend them. You rarely let me help.”

“Thank you so much.”

She hurried back out to the children and phoned Rini. Luckily he was in his office. “Rini? Could I ask a great favor?” So much for her independence.

“Of course. How are you?”

“I’m ready to check out the apartment and the day-care center. Could you send the helicopter here?”

“You mean now?”

“If it’s convenient. I’ll fly to your office. From there I’ll get a taxi and check out those places. Maybe you can drop me back here this evening?”

“Tell you what. I need a break. When you arrive I’ll ask my driver to take us where you need to go. We’ll have dinner with Papà before we leave Naples.”

“You’re the best, Rini.”

“Hey—I’ve missed you and Vito. I bet he’s gained ten pounds since the last time I saw him.”

She chuckled. “Not quite. Love you.”

While she waited for the helicopter, she brought the babies into the sunroom and put them on the floor on a quilt. It was hard to leave them, but this was an emergency.

* * *

At 6:30 p.m. Giovanni jumped down from the helicopter, anxious to be with Valentina. He would ask Stanzie and Paolo to watch the children while he took her to a great restaurant for a night of dinner and dancing.

He’d kept his distance over the past two weeks. But while he’d been at work today, his thoughts had been totally focused on her. After the close quarters they’d shared on the cruiser, he’d go mad if he didn’t get her into his arms.

This time of evening he usually found her in the sunroom with the babies. Instead he discovered Ric and Vito in the kitchen. Stanzie had put them in their swings while she cooked dinner. He smiled at her and kissed the boys. “Is Valentina upstairs?”

“No. She flew to Naples. Her brother will bring her home tonight.”

That revelation sucked all the air out of him. “Any other news?”