âI understand youâre pregnant with my brotherâs child.â
Lilli McCall instinctively put her hand over her swollen belly and studied Maximillian De Luca. Sheâd reluctantly allowed him and his associate into her small suburban Las Vegas apartment. Heaven knew, sheâd had several unwelcome visitors since Tony De Luca had died two weeks ago.
Sheâd spotted the family resemblance between Tony and Max through the peephole of her doorâthe natural tanned complexion, similar bone structure. Only this man wasnât as pretty as Tony. Tony had been full of easy smiles and charm, and ultimately lies. This manâs face was so hard she wondered if it would break into pieces if he smiled.
Tony had told her about his brother, Max. Heâd frequently complained that his brother was cutthroat, even with his own family. Heâd called him the man of steel, a steel mind and a steel heart.
Lilli had detached herself from Tony for good reasons. She wanted nothing to do with him, his friends or his family.
âMiss McCall?â Max prompted.
Taking a quick breath, she gave a slow nod, willing herself not to be intimidated by the tall man. âYes, we got involved after my mother died, but things didnât work out between us,â she said in a voice she knew was stilted, but she couldnât smooth it for the life of her.
âThe details arenât necessary. As you know, my brother died in an automobile accident. He had no will and no provision for children, soââ
âI didnât expect anything from him,â she interjected.
He paused, his gaze flickering over her in a considering way again. âReally,â he said in a doubtful voice.
His tone jabbed at her. âReally,â she said. âTony was kind to me after my mother died, but it became clear to me that I didnât belong in his world.â
âWhy is that?â
âIââ She hesitated, her chest tightening as she remembered the fateful night that had made her break up with him for good. âWe had different values. I wanted the baby brought up in a different environment.â
His gaze fell to her pregnant belly. âYou came to that decision a little late, didnât you?â
In more ways than he could know, she thought. âYes, but I can focus on the baby or on my failures. Focusing on my failures isnât going to help me. So,â she said, more than ready for him to leave, âsince I wasnât expecting anything from Tony, you donât need toââ
âThatâs where we disagree,â he said and nodded toward the man standing behind him. âJim, could you give me the paperwork? Lilli, this is Jim Gregory. You may recognize him as someone who has knocked on your door a few times recently.â
Lilli tore her gaze away from Max long enough to look at the older man and recognized him. âI apologize,â she said. âI live by myself, so Iâm not really comfortable opening the door to men I donât know.â
âI understand,â Jim said and she thought she saw a hint of compassion in the older manâs eyes. âHere it is, Max,â he said, producing some papers from a manila envelope, along with a pen.
Max took the papers and pen and handed them to Lilli. âItâs a simple document. In exchange for one million dollars now and another million dollars if and when the child reaches the age of twenty-five, you agree to give up any rights to my brotherâs inheritance. If you should die or fail to raise the child in a responsible manner, you agree to relinquish custody of the child to a suitable guardian of my choice.â
Lilli felt her jaw drop to the floor.
âItâs all there,â Max said. âLet me know if you have any questions.â
Lilli stared blankly at the paper and felt her hands begin to shake with anger. Shoving the papers back at him, she stepped backward. âAre you nuts?â
âShould have known,â Max said to Jim. âI told you she would want more money.â
Stunned, Lilli continued to stare at him. âSo you are nuts,â she said. âYou didnât hear me earlier, did you? I didnât expect anything from Tony. I donât now. And I certainly donât expect anything from you. And if you think for one second that I would let someone Iâve never met choose who raises my child, youâre totally crazy.â