Billionaires and Baby Rattles(11)

“Call him to come deal with this,” Robin said. “You’re giving yourself a headache and probably raising your blood pressure.”

“He should know, damn it,” Mya answered and closed her eyes. Then she picked up the phone to dial his cell number.

“Hello, sweet thing.” His voice was smooth and charming, but she was past feeling anything but irritation.

“Your plan worked. How do I know, you may ask? Well, there’s a horde of reporters on the duplex lawn, on the sidewalk, in my yard, in the trash, and they’ve rung the bell a few million times,” Mya snapped. “I’m pregnant, hormonal, nauseous, headachy, and maybe homicidal. Get over here and fix this now.”

She didn’t wait for him to answer. She hung up and glared at Robin, who was looking at her with an expression that was close to fear.

“What?” she snapped.

“I should make you tea,” Robin said and then muttered, “with a tranquilizer Mickey.”

She pointed her finger at him. “Don’t make me throw you out there to them.”

Robin smoothed his perfect hair. “Oh, honey, me and the paparazzi have a love-love relationship.”

Mya rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”

They settled down to watch TV until Ethan arrived. She avoided the entertainment news and settled on a bad B movie on the sci-fi channel. Watching people being eaten by a giant squid was right along the lines of her mood. A flurry of yelling outside and a knock on the door made them look up. Robin answered the door, but instead of Ethan, his stepmother shoved her way inside. Mya tensed immediately as she looked at Lurlene Purdy. She wore a black satin pantsuit with a jacket, and she showed lots of cleavage. Over her shoulder, she had a white mink throw, and dark circular sunglasses finished the outfit. She looked like sophistication and class, but Mya knew better. Lurlene was a mean, evil, catty woman.

“Well, you probably think you hit the big times, li’l girl, bedding a Tremaine and getting knocked up.” No “Hello,” “How are you?” That was not her way. Lurlene came out of the corner ready to throw below-the-belt punches.

“Lurlene, Ethan isn’t here, so get out. I have no time or inclination to deal with you,” Mya said.

“Listen to you being all high-and-mighty. Does Ethan know you’re shacking up with a man?” Lurlene asked.

“I’m more woman than you are, sweetie, and can pull off that outfit way better.” Robin put a hand on his hip and raised an eyebrow. “This trailer trash is Ethan’s stepbitch?”

Mya grinned. “She’s something. Her name is Lurlene Purdy.”

“I’m a Tremaine. Respect me as such.” Lurlene pointed a finger at Mya. “That baby ain’t even his, and y’all know it.”

Robin hooted with laughter. “Listen to her, ‘y’all’ and ‘ain’t’? Such high-class talk, it just goes to show you can take the woman out of the trailer park but not the other way around. Dressing up a pig in satin? Uh-uh, it’s still a pig.”

“I’m going to tell the world that’s not Ethan’s baby. The tabloids will pay out the nose for it,” Lurlene said smugly.

Mya folded her arms across her chest. “Prove it, Lurlene. All you can do is sell gossip. Wait, that’s the only way you can survive now, right? The Tremaine bankroll got cut off from you?”

Lurlene took a step forward. “I should—”

Robin blocked Mya. “Oh, honey, I’m a man, but I will slap you silly if you lay one hand on her.”

“Not before I wring her neck,” Ethan growled from the door.

Outside, flashes went off, and people yelled questions. From the open door, God knew what they caught on camera. Mya’s stomach knotted and her nausea rose thinking about the tabloid news and magazines and the captions they would carry.

“Ethan, you didn’t hear how they spoke to me.” Lurlene pouted as he slammed the door. She moved closer to run her hand down his arms. “It was vicious.”

“Is she kidding with this?” Robin looked at Mya incredulously.

“I’m sure it was vicious. You are a very carnivorous woman.” Ethan threw her hand off. “Stop touching me. It makes my skin crawl.”

“Your father didn’t mind that I bite. In fact, he liked it.” Lurlene smiled wickedly.

“Ewwww, gag me with a spoon. Wait, never mind. The vomit is working its way up on its own.” Robin clutched his stomach. “You’re a nasty ho. The father and the sons? You need the Holy Spirit, bitch.”

“Why are you here?” Ethan asked. “Ten seconds to answer and then I throw your ass out.”