Entangled (The Accidental Billionaires #2) - J. S. Scott Page 0,15

treat her like a daughter?”

I wasn’t even going to pretend I didn’t understand what he was asking. If the roles were reversed, I’d want to know the same thing. “Marco never took to Maya. He was never abusive to her physically. He just pretended like she really didn’t exist.”

I’d been more than willing to take any punishment my ex-husband had dealt out so he didn’t turn his malevolence toward my daughter.

“He knew you were pregnant?”

I nodded. “He used the pregnancy as a way of getting me to marry him. I would have never done it if he hadn’t known and understood that my child was my priority. But after we were married, he completely ignored her, and I kept Maya away from him as much as possible.”

“So the bastard resented her?”

“He did,” I answered honestly. “But maybe that was for the best considering how everything turned out in the end.”

There had been far too many misunderstandings, and I was determined to be as up front as possible with Aiden.

“Did you know what he was when you married him? Did you know that the whole Marino family was dirty?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Do you really think I would have put our child into that situation if I had known?”

He glared at me. “I don’t know what to think anymore, Skye. All I know is that I want my daughter. I’ve already missed a hell of a lot of things in her life. Now that I’m well able to support her, she might be better off with me.”

Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

“I’m her mother. She belongs with me. She doesn’t even know you yet, Aiden. But I’m not going to try to keep her from you. She can see you whenever you want.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he snarled. “I’ve missed over eight years of her life. I want her full time. I want to make up for those years that I lost. I want to be the father she’s obviously never had, and that she deserves.”

“I can’t give you that,” I refused. “I’m the only stable thing Maya has ever known.”

And I love her so much that she’s my entire life.

My stomach was rolling with fear, but I kept myself together. I had to.

“Then I’ll be another constant in her life,” he stated like it was a vow. “And she’ll have plenty of family here.”

My heart squeezed. Real family was something Maya craved. “She’s my daughter. I’m not giving her up. You can get to know her without taking her away from me.”

“I’ll want a paternity test,” he said ruthlessly. “But I’m not waiting for the results to be in her life. Since you were a virgin, I’m pretty doubtful that I’m not her biological father. And I’m going to do a hell of a lot more than get to know her. I’m going to be her dad like I always should have been.”

“So we’re going to end up fighting over her?” I asked, my heart broken by the thought that Maya could become caught in the middle.

“No,” he said stonily. “No fights. It sounds like she’s had enough upheaval. You’re both coming to live with me. And then after Jade leaves, and her wedding is over, we’re getting married.”

I shook my head instantly. “No.”

Aiden moved forward like a predator, pinning me against the counter of the breakfast bar. “Do you have a better solution?”

I closed my eyes, trying to will away the visceral reaction I’d always had when my body made contact with Aiden’s.

I didn’t want it.

I didn’t want to feel it.

I didn’t want to want him. And I shouldn’t after all these years.

He took my chin and tipped it up. “Look at me,” he commanded.

I opened my eyes, and I met the most determined stare I’d ever encountered.

Aiden wanted his daughter. And I knew how stubborn he could be.

“Marriage is never a good solution to anything,” I said, my voice wavering slightly. “I don’t want to get married again. Ever.”

“Even if it means you could give your daughter everything? I’m not a poor man anymore, Skye. I could give Maya the world.”

I felt a twinge of guilt. “Money doesn’t make people happy. I know that from personal experience.”

“I’d give her the love of a real family, of a real father,” he coerced.

“She can have that without us having to get married. This is the twenty-first century, Aiden. Parents don’t have to be married. We can work this out.”

“I’m not willing to settle for occasional visits, Skye. Or us shifting our