PROLOGUE

      DADE DELACOURTE scowled at the tiny infant wrapped in pink. As the nurse wheeled the bassinet to the viewing window for his inspection, the baby slept on, innocently oblivious to his anger and shock. Dade’s narrowed gaze moved to a card, taped to the newborn’s bed. Baby Girl Delacourte was boldly printed there for all of New York City to see.

      He peered at the tiny bundle, then glanced at the picture he’d been handed. His image smiled up at him from the glossy print. Wrapped in his possessive embrace was a beautiful, smiling blonde.

      Flipping the picture over, he read the scribbled writing. “Dade and Millie. It’s love!” Below that declaration was the date, March 15 of last year. The baby had been born yesterday, December 15. Nine months to the day…

      He flicked his glance to the child. Sometime during the night, the newborn’s mother had slipped unnoticed from the hospital. Before her disappearance, however, she’d listed Dade Delacourte as the child’s father on the birth certificate. Her coup de grâce had been this picture she’d left behind, a telling testament to Dade’s paternity.

      The situation was all very cut-and-dried. The mother, Millicent “Smith” had abandoned her child. Dade, the father of record, would necessarily take custody.

      There was only one small hitch in the scenario. Dade had never seen this woman before in his life.

      But saying so would repair nothing, either legally or morally. He eyed the fidgety hospital administrator and gave a curt nod. “Naturally I’ll pay the bill.” He crumpled the photo in his fist. “The child is mine.”