Claimed by My Ex's Stepbrother

st the polished desk. The night went on behind him, like the

the silence. Caller ID fla

o keep his temper in c

m Saint Mercy Hospital. I'm calling with an

drew tigh

procedure. Your sperm was mistakenly used on a pat

sat straight. "What kind o

e lab. We're investigating how this happened, but the pr

small, suffocating. His vo

and are prepared to cooperate fully wi

les coiled like steel. "I will be in

stared out the glass

disbelief, frustration. This wasn

hat damn heir race. The Thornes and th

n his father's money or name. He had the Blackwood name

dragged into their g

nt. "Sir, you own shares in that hospital. H

the itch to control the situation. "I d

ok into this Tessa

she is, she's probably after a payout.

nt flickered across his face. Roma

ou going, sir

this shit out," Roman replied

out, his phone buzze

creen, a sigh alread

uttered, bra

ng on?" Her voice s

w why you're

Grayson and his mother are racing to produce an

as real. Ruthless. And he didn't give a d

won't be embarrassed by that family. Show me

before he cou

voice low and hard. "Bring

***

n't rememb

in her mouth, and the next she was stumbling down the driveway, clutchi

ribs. Her face throbbed. Her lip was split. Her cheek was swelling.

et, she called Gina. Gina didn't ask ques

to her friend's apartment, her legs nearly gav

abbed her, guiding her insid

ng that felt like her own blood. "G

Gina snapped. "Oh hell no."

op!" Tessa yel

t back. "That asshole can't hurt y

breaking. She dropped onto the couch, pressing a trembli

he was weighing options, t

k and pressed it gently to Tessa's face. They sat

rang. It was the

d curling in her gut

ell

an before. "This is Nurse Fletcher from Saint Mercy Hospital. I'm

st tightened

of the sperm donor. He goes b

it before-whispers, news articles, the kind

teady. "Okay, why are y

Blackwood has requested

rom the bruises this time,

ge, after being thrown out like trash-now th

was a good thing-or the begin

***

lobby of Blackwood Hotel, her heart hammer

e name sounded like a threat, but

l-built man strode in. His dark hair fell across h

ed to control and getting wha

sharp-edged. "I'm Roman Blackwood. CEO o

r voice. "I don't even know how this hap

s happen. But what matters now i

this baby," she admitted, panic creeping into her voice.

ned, like she had said

ep the baby. You'll carry it, and

tone shocked her. "

id. Plenty of money. But you don't get to back out. You do

htening her chest. "This isn't

old. "Sign the contract. Get the money. K

im to shove his contract up his

" she murmur

ather's condition has worsened. Without immediate

ped. "How much fo

the doctor said gently. "We

sand. Her thr

fast as I can." She hung up

led as she diall

ad's in the hospital. They're going to discharge him i

ne clic

n. And again. S

like a punch to the

ly and sank into the cold chair. R

ll do what you want. But I want ten millio

then shook his hea

d the contract

e paper heavy in her hands. Her finger

d in her mind-weak, pale,

igned

k to her. "When the baby is born, I take it. You

in his tone ho

ard toward her. "My number's on the back. Don't

d, her fin

care,

had just closed a business deal-leaving her with the pap

ter he was gone, the sil

rifted to h

st happened? And did she just s