The Billionaire’s Prodigal Wife (Mackenna and Alessandro) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

His words cut her to the core, and she took a breath, “I’m not ashamed to be having our baby, Alessandro.” She chastised him quietly. “I love our baby. I’m ashamed my closest friends and family know I’m back in your bed and it will only be a matter of time before you’re back in hers. My grandfather’s first question was to ask if Dulce was no longer employed by Giordano Fashion. I had to lie and tell him everything was resolved because if he knows the truth, he will be ashamed of me and rightly so."

He gave a long sigh. “You would want me to let go of a model who has made my company hundreds of millions of dollars in the last six years to ease your suspicious mind?"

“Knowing you could put a price tag on the value of our marriage sickens me.” She dug through her purse for the money to pay for her coffee and then rolled her eyes as Alessandro passed the waitress the money.

“You know. I’ve always considered Dulce a drama queen, but I think you might be trying to take her throne.” He followed her out of the café.

“Ass.” She mumbled under her breath as she sipped her coffee. “The limo is waiting across the street."

“That’s nice.” She ignored his extended hand. “I told you. I’m going back to my apartment."

“Let me put it for you this way, Mackenna.” He gripped her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes, ensuring she could see the annoyance flickering there. “I agree this evening is a bust. There is no point trying to salvage dinner at this point. So, we can go back to the hotel. You can do whatever you want there and I will do work so as not to strangle you. Or we can go back to your apartment, and we can spend the evening in your cramped little quarters. Since my work is all in the hotel room, I’m sure we can find another way to pass the time in your tiny room. We’ll both spend the night in the tiny little cot you call a bed. It’s so small you’ll likely have to sleep on top but I’m okay with it.

Either way, now you are carrying my child, we sleep in the under his breath as she furio ossed the street and same bed.” He laughed under He climbed in behind her and he grinned as he realized Nuncio was giving her hell for disappearing.

Mackenna faced him angrily. “Call your watchdog off."

“I don’t think so.” Alessandro chortled at her misery. “It is nice to share the responsibility of your safety with another. Nuncio will take his job very seriously."

Nuncio pointed his finger furiously in her direction. “If you pull a stunt like this again, I’ll insist on handcuffing you to my side when we’re out and don’t think I won’t do it. My last job was protecting a pair of twins of a movie star and his wife, and they hated my guts because everywhere they tried to hide, I was already waiting. You might have gotten away with your escape artist routine once on me, but you won’t repeat it again. I promise you."

“Whatever,” she suddenly laughed at him and both Alessandro and Nuncio sat back startled at her sudden change in demeanour.

“Why is she laughing?” Nuncio asked Alessandro in confusion.

She chuckled under her breath as Nuncio glowered at her and Alessandro merely flicked a glance at his watch. She caught the movement and her grin disappeared. “I’m sorry Alessandro. Are we keeping you from something important? Does Dulce need her sponge bath?"

He ignored her comment and looked to Nuncio. “I apologize for my wife’s lack of manners Nuncio. You’ll get used to her eventually but even the first day we met she was volatile and emotional. She likes to think she’s all grown up but she’s still very much a child trapped in a woman’s body. I’m afraid everyone who’s ever loved her has indulged her just a bit too much."

She threw the bag containing the cookie at him and he caught it with a grin. “At least she threw the cookie and not the coffee."

“I haven’t tasted coffee in two days. I wouldn’t waste a drop of it on you.” She drew her tongue along the plastic lid in a seductive swirl she knew would catch his eye. She squealed as he reached out and yanked her across the space and onto his lap.

“Alessandro!” She wrestled him for the cup, but he took a long drink of it as he vacated. “Give me my coffee."

He held it up, his arm outstretched past her and laughed. “It’s too sweet. You’re giving our baby too much sugar."

“He’s too little to even notice. He’s a lima bean, remember?” She struggled against him, but he held her firm. “Alessandro, you’re being unnecessarily cruel."

“What do I get for giving you back your coffee?” He tormented her by taking another long drink of it as she wriggled on his lap.

“You call me immature?” She shrieked at his annoying behaviour. “You’re wrestling me in the back of a limousine. Do you even know what a seatbelt is?"

“Seatbelts are for sissies.” He teased her, his eyes dancing merrily as she pouted. “Kiss me, Mackenna."

“No.” She pulled her head back and her full bottom lip pulled downward in a frown.

“Alessandro. I’m angry with you. I’m not going to just give you kisses for my coffee."

“Then I’ll drink your coffee.” He held it up to his lips, but he waited for her. “Just one kiss, Mackenna."