The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 76

Noah stared at Marcus in confusion until realization suddenly dawned on him. He knew. Noah nervously swallowed. This man knew all about Savannah and his connection to her. Was he going to announce it in front of everyone? Marcus pulled Regina even closer enjoying Noah's nervousness as his eyes darted to the arm holding her so intimately. "Everyone, this is Marcus," Regina said.

lan snorted at the understatement having already endured an awkward afternoon when he joined Renata in visiting the Avery estate and learning Marcus's family background.

"... Well, Marcus," Harper tried to salvage the introduction. "How long have you known our dear Regina?"

"She's the mother of my children," Marcus nodded to the kids, "so a while. With any luck she just might say yes tonight."

Regina gave him an odd look even as he smirked before taking a knee. Her mouth fell open as he held out a small box and revealed an engagement ring crowned with her birthstone: a ruby. Renata snickered trying to hold in her delight. Regina shot her a glance knowing instantly she knew he intended to do this, in front of all their classmates no less!

Giggles made her turn to see the kids had left the table to join them. All had large smiles with Gabriella having a difficult time keeping her laughter in check. Regina couldn't believe it. They all knew. They had all conspired against her.

"Regina," Marcus drew her attention back to him. "What do you say? Will you marry me?"

"You're not playing fair," Regina said.

"If you weren't so stubborn I wouldn't have to play dirty."

Regina struggled not to smile. This man was infuriating and yet she didn't hate it either.

"Well?"

"Yes. Now get up."

Smiling like a kid Marcus slipped the ring on her finger before kissing her hand and stood. He pulled her close kissing her without a thought to their audience. As far as he was concerned; the more they looked the better especially that one. "You are in so much trouble when we get home," Regina warned.

"As long as I have you," Marcus chuckled.

"Yay!" Gabriella clapped dancing around them. "Mommy and daddy are getting married!"

Marcus scooped her up, "Does that make you happy?"

"Yes!"

Regina shook her head even as the boys hugged her legs. She leaned down patting their heads and scowling at their smug expressions. Marcus wasn't the only one who was going to get a talking to later although she was impressed the boys had been able to keep a secret so well. Savannah wrapped her arms around Marcus's waist as he offered a one-armed embrace.

"What do you think, Savannah?" Marcus asked.

"I think you did good dad," she smiled.

"Thanks," he kissed the top of her head before glancing at Noah noting the jealousy in his gaze. That's right, remember this moment.

"I-I don't understand," Harper stuttered as Regina shooed the kids back to the table.

"What's not to understand?" Renata asked. "Seems pretty clear to me."

Harper glared at her, "You actually expect me to believe he is the father of Regina's brood?"

"The triplets are mine. And I adopted Savannah as soon as I could push the paperwork through," Marcus pulled Regina close watching the kids with a fond expression. "I wanted our family to be complete and only a fool would turn their back on that brilliant little girl. Next week we're going to D.C. for the National STEM Expo. She's a finalist for the best science fair project in her age group."

He held Noah with a steady gaze ignoring everyone else. Noah paled under his scrutiny and wilted under the challenge. For a decade he denied Savannah's parentage and he could hardly rescind it now. And yet...

His gaze darted to Savannah again. She looked to be a happy, little girl. Mature for her age, she took care of her younger siblings like a mother. And she was apparently very smart. Noah couldn't get over how easily Savannah called Marcus dad. There had been no hesitation at all. She hadn't even glanced in Noah's direction once. Even though he had no contact with her he would have thought she would feel some connection to him but there was no bond at all. "Well, I think it's cruel to make a man raise another man's child," Harper turned up her nose.

"What's cruel is for a father to abandon his own child," Marcus countered still staring Noah down though Harper didn't seem to notice, "and to force the mother to raise their child without support, financial or otherwise. If he isn't man enough to accept the responsibilities he doesn't deserve the benefits...and he has no right to be angry when another man enjoys both."

He maintained eye contact even as he kissed Regina's temple enjoying the other man's discomfort a little too much. "Shall we?"

Regina blinked, "Shall we what?"

"Celebrate," Marcus smiled before guiding her to an open space functioning as the dance floor. "This is a party, isn't it?"

He held her close swaying to the music. Dancing was not his strong suit and he avoided it whenever possible but he shuffled his feet following the natural rhythm her body set to the music. As long as they danced close to one another no one would notice who was leading.

"You're in big trouble, you know," Regina said though she didn't try to pull away.

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Proposing in front of everyone like this so I can't say no. That was an underhanded trick."

"Maybe. But why would you want to say no?" Marcus asked. "I mean, for starters I'm rich. I can give you anything you could ever ask for. I'm not bad looking. I can make you scream in bed. And I'm head-over-heels for you."

Regina shook her head laughing, "Well, there certainly isn't anything wrong with your ego."

He chuckled and she rested her head on his shoulder. He really was incorrigible. But she liked it.

"I told you...I will always be there to catch you if you fall and I'll never let you go," Marcus whispered his commitment to her again. It wasn't just Gabriella who feared abandonment. It was Regina's greatest fear too. But he swore he would break through her walls. So many had already crumbled and he wouldn't rest until they were all torn down. It was only a matter of time.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Gabriella happily ran toward them unable to stay seated any longer.

Marcus chuckled scooping her up even as he continued to shuffle in time with Regina and the music. He smiled as Savannah shyly approached. He winked at her shifting Gabriella to his other hip so she was between him and Regina and gestured for Savannah to join their circle. Regina played with her hair as Savannah hugged them both glancing at the boys who had left the table to play with the hacky sack Marcus had given them.

"You know, not every man is lucky enough to have three such lovely ladies in his life," Marcus said earning a weary scowl from Regina.

"Why does everything you say sound like a pick-up line?" Regina shook her head.

"It's endearing though, right?"

Regina let out a laugh before pulling him close for a kiss, "Only when it is you."

***

Regina held the door as Marcus carried out a sleeping Gabriella. Savannah trotted ahead with the boys, following Marcus's directions to the sporty SUV that had become their main form of transportation. Renata chuckled giving her sister a hug. "And you thought tonight would be boring."

"I am so going to get you for this," Regina shook her head. "How long have you known?"

"Oh, a while. Marcus needed to know your ring size. Luckily we're the same."

Regina glared at her but Renata merely laughed waving goodbye as she and lan headed to their car. With a sigh Regina turned ready to catch up with her treacherous brood. They all had conspired against her and she had a feeling it went all the way to the top. There was no way Miles didn't know.

"Regina! Wait!"

She paused to see Noah rushing out toward her. Glancing over her shoulder she assured herself Marcus was nearby before she faced him, "What do you want, Noah?"

He stopped, hesitating at her sharp tone.

"What? You want to rub in how you and Harper are so in love and how wonderful your little family will be?"

"I-No-It's not...I'm sorry," Noah stuttered.

"Sorry? For what? Abandoning me? Throwing me to the wolves and that vindictive slut you call a fiancée? Sorry for turning your back on your daughter and never offering to help? Is that what you are sorry for?"

"No. Yes...I was seventeen. Just a kid. I wasn't ready to be a father."

"And how old was I?" Regina demanded. "You think I was ready to be a mother? But it was fine because I was a lying little slut with no future so it was okay for me, right? Isn't that what you said in court? About how I slept with dozens of guys so how could I be sure you were the father?"

Noah winced, shrinking back at her fury unleashed.

"You disgust me," Regina sneered. "I never want to see you again and don't you even think about coming anywhere near my daughter. You understand? She has a father. A loving, caring father. She has no use for you!"

Spinning around Regina marched across the parking lot. She wanted to scream, hit something. As she reached the vehicle a pair of strong arms embraced her and held her close soothing the anger that churned inside. "I'm here," Marcus gently intoned. "I'm here."

She shuddered clinging to him. He was her anchor and a safe harbor. It was hard to believe Marcus was ever the callous playboy of his youth.

"Let's go home."

Regina nodded. Yes. Home.