Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Fourteen

Naia

My father obviously thought I was bluffing because he persisted in bringing me suitors as if we were trapped in a historical romance novel. The cycle was endless, he brought them, I scared them off either verbally or with assault. Honestly I missed Zandre and my friends so much that I was becoming quite shameless, the longer he had me here against my will the worst I behaved. Homesickness coupled with pregnancy hormones was a recipe for absolute disaster, which was kind of fun since I constantly aimed to out do myself each time. On the other hand another week had passed and I hadn't been able to bully Roberto into giving me another phone call, which meant I was extra cranky.

The following day after I had unmanned yet another of my potential husbands, there came a knock on my bedroom door. I quickly threw it open thinking Roberto had come back with my food. There wasn't anything in the kitchen to satisfy my crazy cravings so making him my errand boy was the only option especially since they wouldn't let me out of the house. Much to my disappointment, it was Roberto but his hands were empty. I furrowed my brows in annoyance.

"Where are my chocolate covered carrot fries with relish?" I whined.

He shrugged guiltily and tilted his head towards the stairs, indicating that he had left it downstairs but too afraid of my hormonal wrath to say it out loud. I knew this was my father's doing, he was sure I would come out of my room if he held my food hostage and dang blast it he was right.

I'm coming babies! I thought fiercely, sending my carrot fries telepathic reassurance.

I shoved past my traitorous cousin and stomped down the stairs, leaving him to follow me. I had no idea where my father was but I followed my instincts and headed to the kitchen. I mean it only made perfect sense that he'd be hiding my food there. I burst through the archway ready for battle, with Roberto right behind me probably to keep me from damaging anyone.

"Hand 'em over old man!" I yelled, not immediately noticing the two well dressed men sitting at the breakfast table with my father.

It was a little past noon but it was almost December and far too cold outside to sit on the patio. The two men jumped slightly at my sudden and unladylike entrance causing me to acknowledge their presence, I didn't give a single shit that they were there or what they thought of me.

"Xanaia, we have guests!" My father scolded.

"Uhh, no. YOU have guests and MY food, which I came to retrieve. So hand it over buckaroo, I'm hungry!" I snapped, once again surprising my father's guests. No one ever spoke to him that way, but my pregnancy was a free for all pass.

Score one for team Naia!

My father pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to maintain his calm facade in front of his acquaintances.

"Xanaia, this is Philipe Rey and his son Alejandro-"

"Great hey! Howdy do? I'm fine, nice to meet you, I'm pregnant with a very powerful man's child, I'm not interested in marrying your son and if you try to force me I'll kill him in his sleep before Zandre finds out and does it himself, that about sums up our lunch conversation, goodbye have a great day, don't come back because my answer won't change," I said angrily in a single breath, stunning the occupants of the kitchen into silence.

I used the momentary shock to not only snatch my food but also my father's phone.

Score two for team Xanaia, dad squad zero! I thought gleefully as I scurried up the stairs to lock myself in my room and make my long awaited call.

Zandre

I was pacing my office, helping my private investigator brainstorm to see if we could come up with any new leads when my phone rang. I answered it immediately without checking the caller ID.

"My father kidnapped me and is trying to marry me off to strangers despite the fact that I'm pregnant with your child," she said without any preamble and around what sounded like a mouthful a something crunchy.

I was so happy and relieved to hear her voice that none of her words registered.

"You didn't hear a thing I just said, did you?" She asked.

"Nope, not one. I've missed you so much," I sighed into the phone.

"I've missed you too, but this is important so listen up," she said.

"Okay hold on, let me put you on speaker so the PI can hear," I told her as I did just that, "okay baby go ahead."

"My father is Lorenzo Cervantes, he's the one who kidnapped me and is trying to marry me off to random men, I've been able to hold off and make it hard but he's determined to keep me away from you and I don't know when he'll lose patience and force me into something," she said, "oh and I'm pregnant."

The anger that had been rising at the thought of her being forced to be with another man quickly fizzled out when she added that last part and then came back full force. The woman I loved was carrying my child and having to fight off unwanted suitors.

I'm gonna hurt someone! I thought in a rage.

"Dre are you there?" She asked worriedly.

"I'm here, are you sure sweetheart?" I asked, needing confirmation.

"Zandre, I'm eating chocolate covered carrot fries with relish. I may be a foodie but that's crazy even for me," she snapped.

By my calculations from the first and only time I made love to her she was exactly two months pregnant, maybe just about to enter the third month of her first trimester.

We made a baby together, I thought happily, forgetting for the moment that her father was trying to stand between me and the mother of my child.

A grin spread across my face, "don't worry Naia, I'm going to bring you and our baby home soon, I promise."