Page 58 of Billion-Dollar Baby Shock

‘Not a doctor, an industrialist, one of the most innovative in the world.’

Dion looked around to see yet another member of the family.More red hair.A slightly nerdy-looking young man in glasses.He put out a hand.‘Oisín, I presume?’

Tara’s youngest brother flushed with pride and shook Dion’s hand.‘Yes, although that was probably just a matter of deduction.’

‘You helped your sister hack her way into a party.’

‘Yes, I did.But it was worth it, I think?’

Dion looked at Tara, who was hugging Lucy who was still holding Niko.He couldn’t deny it had been worth it.He was now seeing the true breadth and wealth of what he’d missed out on his whole life.A family.Tight-knit and loving.Already forming a sort of cocoon around Niko as he was passed around and cooed over.

Dion felt as if he were behind a glass wall.Observing this unit.Something rose within him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.Envy.A sense of loss.And more, as he observed his son basking in this outpouring of love and attention from his aunts and uncles.Something much darker.Guilt.Shame.

And then Niko started to grizzle.He hadn’t eaten since the plane and Dion could smell something suspicious.Mary took him back from Lucy and said, ‘I’ll change him.I think it’s the least I can do after everything.’Tara gave her the bag of supplies and Mary took him into the bathroom.

Tara came over to Dion.‘He’s getting cranky.He needs to be fed and probably put down for a nap.My family home isn’t far from here—we could go there, if that’s okay?’

Dion’s chest was tight.This scene represented too much.And it was washing over him and through him like a tidal wave.The thought of going to the family home was suddenly too much.He stepped back from the room.‘You go, with Niko.Spend the night with your family.I’ll go to the hotel.’

Tara seemed to sense his reluctance.‘If you’re sure?’

‘Will you come to my hotel in the morning?I’ll send my driver for you.’

‘Of course.’

Dion turned and walked away.But even as he walked away, he wanted to turn around and grab Niko and take him away from here.From this place where there was so much potential for pain.

But Dion kept walking, because he knew that, as of this moment, everything had changed.He couldn’tunseewhat he’d just seen.And he couldn’t stop the walls he’d spent years erecting to protect himself from crumbling to pieces.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next morning, early, Tara and Niko arrived at Dion’s plush city-centre hotel.Dion appeared in the lobby, freshly shaved and dressed, hair damp.Effortlessly suave in dark trousers and a shirt.He took Niko into his arms and the baby smiled at his father.

‘I was having breakfast.Have you eaten?’

‘No, but Niko has.’

Dion led the way to his room, at the top of the hotel with stunning views of the city.Tara barely noticed.Dion gave Niko back to her and rang for some fresh breakfast things and more coffee.

Tara settled Niko into a safe spot on the couch surrounded by cushions.He played happily with his stuffed toy, alternating between trying to pull it apart and eat it.

The room attendant arrived with a tray of food and fresh coffee.Dion thanked him and let him out.

Tara sat down but her appetite had fled.She poured some coffee and looked at Dion, who was staring broodingly at Niko.There was something different about him but she couldn’t put her finger on it.She felt unaccountably nervous.‘Why do I feel like you’re going to tell me something?’

He surprised her by saying, ‘I hope you don’t mindbut I took the liberty of using my connections to get your brother checked by another consultant, just to be sure he’s getting the best treatment.I’ve been assured he’ll be absolutely fine.’

Tara swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.‘Thank you.You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.’

‘Your family mean everything to you, don’t they?’

She wasn’t sure where Dion was going with this but she said, ‘Yes, of course.I love them.But…we’re all moving on with our lives now.’

‘Yet you didn’t hesitate to run when they needed you.’

Tara’s hackles rose.She stood up.‘Dion, if you’re going to use this as some sort of reason to not trust that I’ll—’

He cut her off.‘I think you should have full custody of Niko.’