Page 16 of Stealing Home

“What would happen to her?”

Matt sighed. “We would need to find Talia to let her know, so she could contact any other potential father.”

“And if we can’t find her?”

Matt’s expression softened. “Then the Department of Social Services would likely be involved.”

Dominic’s arms tightened around Lucia, and she made a sleepy sound against his collarbone. “No.”

“Dom,” Evan said carefully.

“No.” He looked at Matt. “That’s not happening.”

“You might not have a choice.” Matt’s voice was soft. “But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s do the DNA test first, then we’ll know what the next step is.”

Dom looked down at Lucia. Her fingers had found the neckline of his shirt and curled into the fabric. Twelve hours and he already couldn’t imagine handing her to a stranger. “Okay. How soon can we do it?”

Matt smiled. “You’ve got an appointment at eleven-thirty.”

“Today?”

“The sooner we have answers, the better.”

Apparently, rapid DNA processing was a thing. Especially if you had money.

Dom didn’t know whether he wanted answers. He kissed the top of Lucia’s head. “Okay.”

By the time Matt left, Dom’s head was swimming with information and legal terms he barely understood. He also had the name of a family law attorney and an appointment to meet with her that afternoon.

“Dana Whitfield is a good friend and a better lawyer. I’m great with contracts, but this is out of my wheelhouse,” Matt had explained when Dom tried to protest. “Trust me, she’s the best person to have on your side.”

Evan gathered the empty coffee cups. “How are you doing?”

Dom stared at the closed door. “I’m trying to decide whether throwing up would make me feel better.”

“Probably not,” CJ said, coming up beside him to take Lucia as she started fussing. He settled her on his shoulder and bounced gently. “One thing at a time.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

“Just trying to remind you that you don’t have to figure out the next eighteen years before lunch.” Evan clapped him on the shoulder and shoved him gently toward the couch.

Dom dropped onto the couch and rubbed both hands over his face. “I have to tell my parents.”

CJ laughed. “Your mom’s going to be looking up flights before you hang up.”

“She’s going to kill me before she books the ticket.” Dom groaned. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at it. “I need more coffee.”

“Dom, just call your mother.” Evan lowered himself into the corner of the sectional and stretched out, closing his eyes and sighing deeply as he sank into the cushions.

“Lucia just fell asleep. This doesn’t seem like the best time to introduce a crazy lady.” It was a poor excuse, but Dom desperately didn’t want to call his mother yet.

CJ sat carefully next to him and settled Lucia on his chest, one hand beneath her butt. “There’s never going to be a safe time.”

“Exactly. So why tempt fate?” Dom frowned. “Should I be concerned that you’re holding my baby more than I am?”

CJ laughed and ignored his question. “If she hears about this from anyone else or, you know, on the news, she’ll actually kill you.”

“She’s going to kill me either way.” Dom pouted.