His Baby Secret (Book Three): His Baby Secret, #3

By Layla Valentine

Three best friends
One big secret
My brother's best friend is getting a big surprise…

Hannah:

We were inseparable. Best friends.
Me, my twin Harvey, and our buddy Dominic.
Only I loved Dominic in secret, and never told him till high school was over
And then he told me he loved me too…
Only then did he tell me he was joining the Navy
I hated him for leaving me,
And I found out I was pregnant the day he shipped out
He never found out
Seven years later, my brother's getting married, and the secret SEAL dad is finally coming back to Tucson as his best man.
Dominic Riley has a big surprise coming his way, seven years in the making…

Dominic:

Seven years ago, I left my heart in Tucson.
I've traveled the world,
Risked my life defending my country's freedom,
Seen things you wouldn't believe,
But I'd trade it all for one more day with her.
She hated my guts when I left,
Can she forgive me now?

 

This is the third book in the His Baby Secret series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Valentine
• Release date: Feb 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201373610

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

HANNAH

Hannah barely bit back the curse that wanted to rip its way out of her mouth, clamping her hands over her lips just in case any of it tried to get through.

Seven years of careful secrecy, all thrown down the drain thanks to one careless moment.

Everything was so complicated now that Hannah wasn’t sure what could be done. All her plans wasted. All because Dominic hadn't been able to hold his tongue for even 24 hours. She’d done it for the past seven years. How did he think she felt?

It was simple, however, for Hannah to tamp down her anger. Especially when she saw how furious Harvey was, his chest heaving, bloodshot blue eyes blazing.

What the hell is going on? Harvey demanded. Did I just hear what I think I heard?

Well, Dom, the cat’s out of the bag, Hannah said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. Do you remember the part where I told you Harvey didn’t know?

Dominic looked like he very badly wished he had the ability to swallow his own tongue. Well, shit.

Is that all you have to say for yourself? Harvey demanded. Seriously? Hannah, tell me the goddamn truth. Is Dominic Kira’s father?

Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, Hannah said, holding her head up high. She refused to be shamed for this. It had been her choice to have Kira. Her life. And no one else’s decision. Harvey was capable of passing such harsh judgment on her, and Hannah wasn’t about to roll over and accept it, now. Not when it was about her life, her daughter. Dominic is the father, she confirmed.

Son of a bitch, Harvey snarled. You just stood there and let me talk about what I would do if I ever found out who’d knocked up my sister and left her to raise her daughter by herself! You agreed with me!

Dom didn’t know either, idiot, Hannah said before she could help herself. You know what? I’m not going to do this. This is nobody’s business but mine.

Hannah, it’s my business, too, Dominic said quietly. I want it to be my business. She’s my daughter, too.

Hannah gasped as Harvey shoved at Dominic’s chest, sending Dominic stumbling backward.

You had a chance to do things the right way! Harvey shouted. You fucking deadbeat! You can’t just swoop in here and decide what you want after being away for so many years!

Harvey, I didn’t know, Dominic said, refusing to meet Harvey’s challenging glare, circling carefully and backing up when he had to, to avoid Harvey’s swing.

Hannah recognized it for what it was—Dominic didn’t want to get into a fistfight with her twin. And Harvey wanted nothing more than to use his fists to figure everything out. Or, at least, to make himself feel better for being lied to all these years.

Harvey, stop it, Hannah pleaded, trying to keep her voice from shaking with emotion.

If he should be throwing punches at anyone, it should be her. She was the one who’d lied by omitting. Dominic had been blindsided.

He doesn’t have any fucking right, Harvey roared, lashing out again.

He’d gotten close enough that time to force Dominic to slap his hand away, with Dominic swaying back to continue his wary circling.

Harvey, enough, Josie said, bolting out of the restaurant, heels in her hands. People are walking into the restaurant telling everyone about the two guys who are about to kick each other’s asses in the parking lot. You need to cool down.

God, what a mess. Hannah’s heart went out to Josie, who was getting swept up in a drama she didn’t have a clue about.

Hannah’s heart leapt up into her throat. Where’s Kira?

With my parents, Josie said quickly. Inside.

Hannah whooshed out a breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding.

Yeah, she definitely doesn’t need to see her Uncle Harvey making a complete fool of himself in public, Josie said, louder, looking to reach Harvey’s ears over what had to be the roar of rage rushing through them right now.

Motherfucker, Harvey growled, rushing at Dominic and grabbing hold of his arms as Dominic tried to spin away, out of range.

Dominic might’ve been a Navy SEAL, but Harvey knew what he was doing, too, when it came to hand-to-hand combat. His police academy training had seen to that.

Ah, hell, Josie swore. Come on, Hannah. We have to get in there.

Hannah wasn’t a physical fighter. Not like Dominic and Harvey and Josie. But she was a fighter in the sense that she didn’t give up. That she’d do anything for Kira. All she had to do, as Josie yanked backward on Harvey, was insert herself in the middle of her twin brother and the father of her child to stop the fight.

As simple and as complicated as that.

I’m not done with him, Harvey said, out of breath and disheveled but no worse for wear.

You’re done, Josie informed him. Seriously, Harvey. You’re done.

I’m sorry, Dominic said, his eyes wild as they locked on Hannah’s. I didn’t mean to just come out and say it. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.

What’s done is done, she said. I only came out here because you were leaving again. Without saying goodbye. Again.

Dominic looked