Page 257 of The Rebel Billionaire

Before I can say anything, a ruby-red furball comes flying out of one of the doors and heads straight for us.

“Diana, no,” Harper says firmly. “Sit.”

The dog pauses and drops her hindquarters onto the tiled floor, in a perfect, incredibly elegant sit.

“Stay,” she says. “Good girl.”

The tip of Diana’s tail wags, beating the floor as she wrinkles her nose, flashing me a mouthful of perfect white teeth.

“What’s she doing?” I ask quietly, not wanting to break the moment.

Harper turns her head.

“She’s smiling at you,” she says with her own grin. “She clearly has great taste.”

The dog whines.

“I’ve not been around many dogs, what with boarding school.”

“She’s harmless, just a little excitable. She loves everyone.”

“Wow, Aunty Harps, you really do have her under control.”

“It’s all in the tone, Lottie,” Harper says, moving towards the dog and placing a hand on Diana’s head before rubbing her ears. She gives another command, and the dog circles her legs. Harper bends down and catches Diana’s face, dropping a kiss on her nose.

“Good girl,” she says, earning another smile.

“She’s been mugging Enzo,” Lottie says, and I can’t hide my smirk. She looks past her aunt to me. “You must be Alex. I’m Lottie. Elijah’s eldest daughter.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lottie,” I say.

“Where is everyone?” Harper asks.

“In the kitchen. Betsy’s keeping everyone fed and watered.” She winks at her aunt, who laughs.

“That’s code for keeping my brothers happy with her baked goods.”

“Oh,” I say.

Harper takes my hand in hers and squeezes.

“Come on, let’s go and see if they’ve left us anything.”

* * *

We enter an enormous kitchen and find Harper’s mother, her siblings and their wives, and my brother sitting around the kitchen island.

“Come on in. We’ve saved you some,” April says when her gaze lands on us.

Harper’s brothers turn and scowl, but their shoulders relax when she slides her hand around my waist and I mirror the gesture.

“These are so good,” Enzo says.

I roll my eyes.

“Everyone, I’d like to officially introduce you to Alessandro Bianchi. My boss, my baby daddy and the love of my life.”

Enzo chokes on the food he has just shoved into his mouth.