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Relief pours through me.
Rio isn't relieved. He's furious and gives the doctor a dressing down about upsetting his patients. "We will change obstetricians," he assures the man.
"You only did that because you want me seeing a woman OB," I accuse when we get into the car.
Rio shakes his head. "No. If you had bonded with this doctor, I would not allow a change but his incompetence scared you. I will not allow that."
"He wasn't incompetent. The baby shifted, changing the angle of the measurement."
"He should not have frightened you," Rio insists stubbornly.
Since Ididn'tbond with the doctor, I don't argue about finding a different one.
Giannettahelpfullymade this appointment for me with her OB/GYN.
No wonder it wasn't the best experience.
I'm surprised later that afternoon to be called into the king's office. Rio is already there, nothing in his face indicating why we're here.
So is Giannetta, which I do not take as a good sign.
My husband guides me to a chair before sitting down in one he drags next to mine.
"It grieves me to have this conversation with you," the king says. "But Giannetta has brought something to my attention that cannot be ignored."
Showing good instincts, Rio slides his arm around my waist. "What might that be, dad?"
King Claudio's lips tilt slightly at the familiar address.
"Giannetta has informed me that your ultrasound," he shifts his gaze to me. "Measures a week smaller than dates provided by you and my son would indicate."
"But you already knew—" Rio starts, but his father shakes his head just slightly.
I don't know what's going on, but I do know I'm tired of Giannetta being in my business. "Yes. Now, can someone please explain to me why this woman is privy to my medical records?"
"Precisely," King Claudio says, giving Giannetta a frigid stare.
"But you said you were concerned too. You can't believe she's telling the truth about Vittorio being the father of her child. She just wanted to marry into royalty. You need to demand a DNA test."
"No one is performing a DNA test on my unborn child." For the second time in my life, my tone emulates my dad's when he's ready to start taking people apart, or at least their departments.
Huh. Mom always says we're more alike than I want to admit. She might be right. That doesn't mean I want to run part of his empire though.
"Of course not," Rio says, his hold on me reassuringly tight. "Our child will never be put at risk if I can help it."
"Because you are very protective of your family," King Claudio says, as if he's trying to give his son a message.
Which I'm sure he is. My dad sucks at apologizing too.
"I am." Rio's voice doesn't bode well for anyone who might try to put me at risk.
But then, he's kind of perfect like that. No wonder I love him to the moon and back.
King Claudio clears his throat. "You are an excellent prince and more importantly, you are a son to be proud of."
"Thanks, dad." Rio clears his own throat and I grin.
Letting the smile slip from my face, I look straight at Giannetta. "I'll leave it to the king to find out how you got confidential information about me, but let me warn you that my family make very formidable and dangerous enemies. Think very carefully before you make the mistake of trying to take me on again."
