Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene SandsЧитать онлайн книгу.
and then turned back to him. âI had my first checkup today for the baby.â
Tony leaned back against the vinyl booth and stared at her. âHow did it go? Is everything okay?â
Rena couldnât seem to keep her joy from showing. She granted him a smile and her voice lifted when she spoke. âYes, the baby is healthy. Iâm due in October.â
âThatâs good news, Rena.â But the news also brought home the reality of what he was about to do. He would take responsibility for a child he didnât father. He would marry a woman who didnât love him. All of it hit him hard between the eyes. This was really happening.
Heâd loved David as a friend, but he also knew that if it had been any woman other than Rena, he wouldnât have agreed to Davidâs request. He wouldnât be doing this for a stranger. Though Rena would deny it, they had a connection. Their lives had been entwined for years. Marrying her wasnât as much a hardship for him as it was for her. âWhat else did the doctor say?â
She breathed out quietly. âHe told me to try to stay calm. Not to let stress get me down.â
âThatâs good advice, Rena. Youâve had a lot to deal with lately and you should try to relax forââ
âI donât need a lecture, Tony.â
Her abrupt behavior had him gritting his teeth. Pregnant women were temperamental at times, at least thatâs what heâd heard from his married friends, but it was more than that with Rena. His proposal to her was nothing more than sugarcoated blackmail. Hell, he hated to add to her stress. But he owed David this and he had to see it through.
She looked at him and inhaled a deep breath. âIâm sorry. This isnât easy for me. Believe me, I have the babyâs well-being in mind every second of the day. Thatâs why itâs been such a tug of war.â
Tony had thicker skin than to be offended, but most women wouldnât consider a proposal from him a terrible thing.
The waitress walked up to the table again. âHi, what can I get for you?â
Rena faced her without opening the menu. âI should have the California café salad.â
âOne California café salad, got it. And for you sir?â
âBut,â Rena interrupted and the waitress turned back to her, âIâm craving a chili cheeseburger with extra pickles.â
The waitress grinned. âThatâs our specialty. Got it. And Iâll make sure you get those pickles.â
âThank you. Iâll have a lemonade too.â
Tony ordered the same thing, and after the waitress left, he glanced at Rena. âYouâre having cravings? I wondered why you wanted to meet me here.â
She lifted a shoulder and shrugged. âItâs been a long time and this morning when I got up, I couldnât stop thinking about having a chili cheeseburger.â
âWe sure ate our share of them when we were kids. We used to close down this place, remember?â
âYeah, I do.â
And for a moment, Renaâs face softened. Tony remembered what it was like being with her back then. The fun times theyâd had together. Theyâd been so close and so much in love.
Rena stared at the manila folder sheâd set down on the table and her expression changed.
âWhatâs going on?â Tony asked, glancing at the folder. âWhatâs in there?â
âItâs something I want from you.â
Surprised, Tony looked at her, arching a brow. âOkay, so why donât you tell me?â
She slid the folder toward him. âItâs a prenuptial agreement.â Her eyes met his directly.
Tony hid his surprise well. He didnât react, though a dozen thoughts popped into his head all at once. He decided to hear her out and not jump to conclusions.
âIf I marry you, I want Purple Fields to remain in my name. I want full ownership of the winery and vineyard. I want to have the final say in every decision having to do with it. My child will own Purple Fields one day, no questions asked. Have your attorney look it over. Itâs legal and there shouldnât be any problem.â
Tony sighed heavily. âRena, you do see the irony in this, donât you?â
Rena searched his eyes. âHow so?â
âFirst of all, I donât want Purple Fields. Marrying me has nothing to do with me getting my hands on your winery. The fact is, Iâm worth tens of millions, Rena. Everything I own will be yours. Iâm not asking for a prenuptial agreement from you.â
âIf you want one, Iâd sign it.â
âI donât want one, damn it! Iâm not entering into this marriage lightly. If we marry, itâll be for keeps. Weâll have a child and weâll be a family. Do you understand what Iâm saying?â
âYes, of course. But youâve made promises to me before that youâve broken, and now I have no choice in the matter. I want some control. You should understand that, being a Carlino.â
Tonyâs lips tightened. He didnât want an argument, so he chose his words carefully. âThis time itâs different. This time, Iâm not going to break any promises I make to you.â
âIâd sleep better at night if I believed you.â
Tony let go a curse.
Rena continued to explain. âIâm only protecting whatâs mine. Can you blame me? Itâs all I have left and I donât want to lose it.â
Angry now, Tony didnât bother reading the agreement first. âFine. Iâll sign it.â
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. Then he slid the papers out and gave them only a cursory glance before signing his name at the bottom.
âDonât you want your attorney to look it over?â Rena asked, her expression incredulous, watching him slide the papers back into the folder.
He shook his head. âI know you well enough to know thereâs nothing in this agreement that Iâd find questionable. I trust you.â
Rena sat back against the booth, her chin bravely raised. âI wonât let you make me feel guilty about this.â
âIâm not trying to make you feel guilty,â Tony remarked gruffly. Then when he saw Rena holding back tears, he softened his tone. âI signed the papers. Youâre getting what you wantâat least as far as Purple Fields is concerned. I never intended on taking that away from you.â Then he braced his arms on the table and leaned in. Their gazes locked. âWe have to make this work, Rena. If for nothing else but that child youâre carrying.â
Rena closed her eyes briefly. Her silence irritated him, as if she were trying to believe and trust in him. He wasnât like his ruthless father, but would Rena ever acknowledge that? âI know,â she said finally.
Tony settled back in his seat. What was done, was done. He didnât want to rehash the past. It was time to look toward the future.
And live in the present.
Tony changed the subject as soon as the food was delivered. He wanted Rena to enjoy the meal sheâd craved. Lord knew she needed to build