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‘Please.’ He gestured for her to take a seat.

He wore an immaculate dark suit and a gunmetal grey tie, and his hair was raven perfection, yet he was the most un-put-together she’d ever seen him. There were purple smudges under his eyes, and he’d even cut himself shaving.

‘You’ll offend Signora Maria,’ he said, watching as she twirled pasta around a plastic fork. ‘She’s cooking for you?’ he checked.

‘No, I eat with the crew or bring it back. Anyway, she’s in Ravello,’ Stella said. ‘Some three-month mass tonight or something.’

Gosh this was awkward.

‘I have spoken with Eduardo; he’s actually come into his own—I’ll need Sophia’s birth certificate and passport.’

‘For?’

‘Because she is my daughter,’ he said. ‘Because there are trusts and wills and Eduardo suggests legal recognition of paternity. He’s drafting a letter to the family law firm.’

‘You want her here in Italy?’ She took a quick breath, but before she panicked, Gabe shook his head.

‘I’m not saying that; whatever you think is best for her. I just need them to get the paperwork in order. I’m going to Milan in a couple of days.’

‘You’ve just found out you’re a father and all you can think of is paperwork?’

The spaghetti tasted like cardboard and she had to squeeze her throat to swallow it down, for there was a surge in her that came close to angry tears.

‘It’s important,’ Gabe said. ‘I want to ensure she’s taken care of.’

‘Then go in the nursery and hold her or give Sophia her bottle tonight because I’ve got to go to a work do.’

‘Stella….’ He closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed the lids with his finger as he did when exasperated. ‘I’m from nobility, we don’t do all that. She will be…’

‘Rubbish—’ she swiftly broke in ‘—your parents were wonderful; you told me that yourself.’

She watched his jaw grit.

‘Just because you don’t want the responsibility of a daughter, don’t hide behind tradition or title.’ Standing, she gave an exasperated shake of her head. ‘You’re not the man I met.’

‘The man you met was temporary.’

‘I don’t believe that. You were judgemental about my parents, yet you’re being the same.’

‘It’s not the same.’

‘Who was the man who thought I was pregnant with another man’s baby but still came down…’

She watched a muscle leap in his cheek but he refused to react.

‘I was so scared when I found out I was pregnant. I’m not proud of some of the things I thought or said, but I see now that Sophia’s such a gift. And if I’d told you earlier, then you would have had time to get used to the idea…’

‘Stella…’ he gave a shake of his head ‘… I will never get used to it.’

Gabe honestly did not see how. It was the second time in his life he’d felt pure fear.

The first time had been hell.

‘I shall take care of you both financially.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Just that.’