7. I am Not Joking

Antonio's smirk faltered for a moment as he glanced at River. "Well, Cara," he began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. At that moment, with that stupid expression on his face, he almost looked like a little boy who had done something wrong.

"What is it?" Valerie asked, feeling dread pulling in her stomach as she imagined the worst. Why did he look so guilty?

"There was a bit of a mix-up with the paperwork when you were rushed in. A... uh... misunderstanding." He hesitated.

Valerie frowned, her gaze shifting between the two men. "What kind of misunderstanding?"

River took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Antonio...he signed the birth certificate as the baby's father."

Val stared at the two men, uncomprehending. "He...WHAT?" she cried when she realized what was said, then quickly lowered her voice, remembering she was at the hospital. "I don't understand," she hissed.

"By accident," Antonio interjected quickly. "There was confusion, and the nurses needed the forms filled out. So, I may have signed my name where Julian’s should have been. You know...on those dotted lines where it says father's signature?" He explained as if speaking to a five-year-old.

Valerie blinked. "You signed as his father?"

"Si. But I mean, not like Julian could sign. He is dead," Antonio reminded her.

Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anger and bewilderment surging through her. "You signed the birth certificate? My son’s birth certificate?" she repeated, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Si," he said again without a hint of guilt on his face.

Was this some kind of sick joke?

"Valerie," River said softly, stepping closer. "I know this is a lot to take in, but right now, the most important thing is that you and Landon are both safe and healthy. We'll sort out the paperwork. I promise."

But Valerie wasn't paying any attention to River. "Antonio. Y-you...are you an idiot!?"

"Oh, come on, Bella. You don't need to be rude," Antonio almost looked sad as he scratched the side of his face where his scar was.

If she wasn't holding a newborn, Valerie probably would have jumped out of the bed and kicked him in his family jewels. That would teach him! She couldn't believe how dismissive he was being about something so important. This wasn't just some random mistake – it involved her son’s legal identity.

"Fix it right now!" Valerie said through gritted teeth.

Antonio raised an eyebrow. "Fix it? I don't know if I could."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because I find that I rather like being Landon’s accidental father," Antonio declared.

Ehh?

"Antonio, this is not a joke," Valerie snapped, her hands tightening around Landon.

"I'm not joking, mia cara," he replied, his dark eyes locked on hers. "I may have signed the birth certificate by accident, but that doesn't change the fact that I am now Landon’s father in the eyes of the law. And honestly, I don't hate it." He smiled innocently.

Well...as innocent as he could with that terrifying face of his.

Valerie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Antonio actually serious? Did he think this was some kind of game?

"I don't want you to be my son’s father!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief.

"Valerie, calm down," Ellie said soothingly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You are still weak."

"The boy doesn't have a real father," Antonio stated the obvious.

"That's because YOU killed his real father, jackass," Valerie hissed. She shivered at the memory of Antonio's men swarming inside Julian's club and open firing. Luckily, she was spared because she was at home stuffing her face with potato chips. "Did you think I'd just forgive you for that?" she barked.

Part of her was relieved that Julian wasn't alive to raise Landon, but Antonio didn't need to know that...

Antonio waved his hand dismissively. "I didn't kill him with my own hands. One of my men got overexcited. Anyway, it's neither here nor there. What's important now is that Landon needs a father, and I'm available. I have no children, and my name is attached to him now."

"Hang on a moment. Are you trying to adopt my nephew, Antonio? You got to be fucking kidding me," River growled.

Oh, thank god. At least River was still thinking clearly.

"I'm not joking," Antonio repeated, crossing his arms over his chest. "I can be a good father to Landon."

River snorted in disbelief. "You think being a kingpin makes you father material?"

"I have resources. I can offer her protection that no one else can," Antonio shot back. "And you are no better than me, Foster. So are you saying you won't be a good father either?"

River opened his mouth and then closed it.

"That's beside the point!" Valerie screamed, finally finding her voice again. "I am his mother! I get to decide who gets to be a part of his life!"

"Why, of course, mi amore," Antonio nodded. "No one is trying to take your baby from you. What I am suggesting is that..." He paused and smiled at her sheepishly.

Something told Valerie he was up to no good. "What are you suggesting?" she breathed.

His smirk widened. "I am suggesting that we get married."

For a moment, all she could do was stare at him, her anger replaced by sheer disbelief. Then she did the only thing that seemed logical at the time—she burst into laughter.

She couldn't stop laughing. Her sides hurt, her vision blurred with tears, and there were spots in front of her eyes. What a crazy, outrageous proposition!

Antonio was staring at her without saying anything, his lips curled up in an amused smile.

"Are you serious?" Ellie asked, as shocked as Valerie was.

"Yes," Antonio answered, his smirk never wavering. "I am as serious as a heart attack."

"Have you lost your damn mind?!" River exploded, making a grab for Antonio's collar, but Ellie held him back.

"You can't ask her to marry you," Ellie stated harshly, her eyes narrowed at Antonio.

"And why not?" Antonio retorted. "I mean, I suppose she could just come and live with me, but I'm a traditional man with traditional family values. If I am to make the boy my adoptive son, his mom should be my wife."

This man was insane.

"I won't let you marry my sister," River growled.

"Why ever not?" Antonio raised an eyebrow.

"Because you're my enemy!" River bellowed. "You're not fit to be a dog's parent, let alone a human's!"

"Oh, come on, Foster, you make it sound like I'm some kind of monster," Antonio chuckled darkly. "And we aren't exactly enemies. We just didn't have the chance to get to know each other. But don't worry. We will have plenty of chance once I become your brother-in-law."

River looked at Ellie. "Are you sure I shouldn't kill him here?"

Antonio ignored River and looked at Valerie. "How about you tell me your answer, yeah?"

"I...I..." Valerie's mind was spinning, and she felt dizzy with everything that was happening, but one thing was clear—there was no way in hell that she was marrying Antonio Costello.