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

“Si. Signora Corleto came over this morning.”

Uh-oh. “What time did she come?”

“About eleven.”

“What time did Valentina leave?”

“Around noon. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Stanzie. I’m going to take the boys for a short walk.” He put them in their strollers and left the villa.

Whatever conversation had gone on between Valentina and Violeta, it had prompted his houseguest to take off. She didn’t have to tell Giovanni her schedule, but the fact that he hadn’t heard from her let him know something had alarmed her.

Violeta was not a vindictive woman. Quite the opposite. “Hey, guys—we’re on our own until Valentina comes home.” He kissed their heads. “Let’s go back and eat. Stanzie has made something that smells good.”

Later that night after giving them a bath and putting them to bed, he started down the stairs just as Valentina was coming up. In the dim light her classic features and gleaming blond hair emphasized her beauty.

“Welcome home,” he said in a quiet voice.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“You don’t owe me any explanation. Stanzie told me where you’d gone.”

She nodded. “After Rini and I returned to the villa, he drove me here. How are the children?”

“I put them down. Why don’t you tell me about your day?”

He walked with her to the nursery. After she peeked at the boys, they tiptoed out of the room and went back downstairs to the sunroom. The night called to him. She must have felt it, too, and followed him out to the garden, where the roses were in full bloom.

She leaned over to smell one. “Their scent lies heavy on the air.”

“My parents have a garden in Naples, but the fragrance here is much more powerful.” His gaze wandered over her. “Did you accomplish a lot today?”

“Yes. Rini went with me. I like the apartment I’m going to rent, and I was impressed with the people who run the day-care center. They only allow ten children. Two of the four workers look solely after the babies. Both have had nursing experience. I’m sure Vito will get the attention he needs.”

“Have you had success finding a job?”

“Not yet, but I’m hopeful. Rini and I had dinner with my father. It was a good day.”

“I heard that Violeta dropped by.”

“Yes.”

“Want to tell me what you two talked about, or was it confidential?”

“She said her husband is suing the hospital.”

“We already knew that. What else did she say that caused you to leave so fast?”

She turned to the view of the sea. “Whatever we talked about is no longer important.”

“Why? Because you’re going to move to Naples, therefore you’re no longer a threat? I’m not unaware that Tatania’s parents would like us to get back together. With you out of my villa for good, that removes the biggest roadblock to effecting a reconciliation. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

Giovanni grasped her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. He buried his face in her hair and felt her tremble. “When I got home from work, I was planning to take you out for a night of dinner and dancing.”

“At this point that would be a mistake.”

“Explain what you mean.” He turned her around. Their mouths were only centimeters apart.

“I can’t. You’re holding me too close to think.”

After expelling his breath, he let go of her, but it took all his strength to do so. “Is that better?”

She backed away from him. Her shimmering blue eyes held a haunted expression. “Did you know there’s a movement within your company to ask you to step down as CEO because everyone believes you and I are lovers?”

His blood ran cold. “Violeta told you that?”

“Yes, but she didn’t say it in a mean way. We like each other. She wanted me to know the truth because she loves you and Ric. I allayed her fears by letting her know that you and I are not lovers. Furthermore I told her I’m moving to Naples by the weekend.”

Maybe he’d misjudged the situation. “In other words, you don’t have deep feelings for me.”

“Of course I do,” she practically shouted at him.

“But it seems not deep enough, otherwise you wouldn’t have flown to Naples the moment Violeta stopped by to give you the bad news. I thought we were going to do this together. Like partners, remember?”

Valentina shook her head. “We’ve been through all this. You knew I was planning to leave. What she told me helped me to get on with my plans a little sooner. Giovanni—you’re not just anybody. You’re the head of the Laurito Corporation.

“I knew we’d have to face a lot of bad publicity while we tried to do the right thing for our babies. But what I didn’t know was that the board would actually remove you from your position. You’ve worked so hard for everything you’ve achieved. I refuse to be the woman who brings you down.”

“Tatania’s father worked on Violeta to get his own way before she showed up here. Surely you must see that.”

“All I know is, I can’t stay here any longer. I’m trying to put away the guilt I suffered over my bad judgment with Matteo. But if I thought that you could be toppled by your own board members because of me, terrible guilt would consume me. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t asked the hospital for a DNA test, we wouldn’t know of each other’s existence.”

His anger flared. “If you hadn’t followed your mother’s intuition, we wouldn’t have the joy of loving two sons. Can you honestly stand there and tell me you’re sorry for discovering the truth?”

“You know I’m not,” her voice shook, “but I don’t want to be the one responsible for ruining your life! Violeta’s visit was a blessing in disguise. Just so you know, I’m going to pack everything up tonight. Rini is going to come for me and Vito in the morning. I’ll stay with him until Friday. The furnished apartment will be ready then, and he’ll help me move.”