na

nolith. He spoke no word as he scanned his security badge, e

utive floor felt immeas

rt, the frantic, breathless cries of an inf

racturing. "The heir has been screaming since last night," h

him and walked straight into Dante's

sk. His tie was gone, his sleeves were rolled up to

te uniform, trembling as she held the thrashing,

to me,"

I closed the distance and took

I immediately pulled him tight against my chest, applying firm but gentle

hin thirty seconds, he was completely silent. He let out a long, shuddering

e not venting the bottles properly, and you are not burping him enough.

e with terror. "Get out," Dante com

fled, the heavy door c

o his heavy leather chair. He stared at me with an inscrut

ck manila file from his desk and

is voice completely devoid

," I replied coldly. "His eyes told me everythin

pulled out a pre-authorized cashier's check, the hea

lip of paper across

silence. You take this, you walk out of this building, and you

en in severe black ink. A chill spread throu

sleeping baby securely cradled in my left arm. I picked up the check with my

pieces fall back on

nded, my voice shaking with a fury so profound my jaw ac

frame abruptly towering over the d

t my patien

to cower. "I am asking you a question. This i

back on him and started

ommanded, his voice a sh

cold brass doorknob. Slowly, I looked back

rn how to be a father before you dare claim him. That is the

lked out, leaving him alone with hi

would have to come himself-n

show up at my apartment door l