Page 292 of Sin Bin

“Declan and Kinsley were disappointed they couldn’t join us tonight,” Lucien said with a hint of censure. “They were really looking forward to meeting you, Logan.”

“So you keep saying.” Logan leaned back against the couch, lazily draping his arms along the back. “So you’ve told them all about their bastard half-brother, eh? How’d that conversation go?”

The lines around Lucien’s mouth tightened. “Naturally they were shocked,” he answered in a measured tone. “It was a difficult conversation for everyone.”

“I bet.” Logan was smirking. “Just out of curiosity, what made you decide to come clean after all these years?”

A look passed between Lucien and Chantal.

Logan narrowed his eyes, glancing from one to the other.

“The conversation was long overdue,” Lucien said evenly. “At any rate, Declan and Kinsley are thrilled to have an NHL star as a big brother. Honestly we’re all rather excited.”

Logan gave him a mocking smile. “Glad to be a source of family pride. Score one for bastard children everywhere.”

Lucien’s lips compressed with displeasure.

Chantal looked wickedly amused.

A tense, suffocating silence followed during which father and son glared at each other.

“Speaking of families,” Meadow blurted to break the standoff, “Logan and I recently received our AncestryDNA results.”

“Oh?” Lucien shifted his attention to her. He seemed relieved by the diversion. “Tell us about your findings.”

“Yes, do tell,” Chantal said condescendingly. “What percentage of European ancestry did you have? Isn’t that the main reason African-Americans take the test? To find out how white they are? And Native American,” she added with a snicker. “They all insist that they have Native American ancestry, even though Henry Louis Gates disproved that theory.”

“Chantal,” Lucien said with gentle warning.

“What? It’s true. He says most black people don’t have Native American DNA. Yet the myth prevails.” She laughed disparagingly.

Meadow frowned, digging her nails into her palms to keep from clawing the woman’s eyes out.

“You’re mistaken about Meadow,” Logan drawled insolently. “Contrary to what you said, she was mainly interested in her African roots. Everything else was almost an afterthought.”

“Oh?” Chantal smiled snidely. “I’m sure she’s a rare exception.”

“Probably not.” Logan brushed his lips across Meadow’s bare shoulder. “But she is rare, and she is exceptional. So we can agree on that.”

Chantal pursed her lips so tight she looked like she’d just swallowed a whole lemon. Meadow took some satisfaction from her displeasure.

Lucien smiled inquisitively at Logan. “And what about your results? What did you learn?”

Logan gave him a bored look. “Does it matter?”

Lucien’s smile slipped a notch.

“Of course it matters,” Meadow intervened with a forced laugh, resting her hand on Logan’s thigh as she spoke to his father. “The majority of Logan’s European DNA came from Great Britain, which wasn’t surprising. The second largest concentration was in Western Europe.”

Lucien nodded. “The paternal side of my family is from Belgium. They’re French with a smattering of Dutch thrown into the mix.” He smiled at her. “Parlez-vous français?”

“Not very well, I’m afraid.” She smiled sheepishly, ignoring Chantal’s derisive smirk. “According to the DNA test, Logan also has Irish and Scottish ancestry. Fourteen percent.”

“Oh, aye.” Lucien smiled proudly. “My mother’s family is from Scotland. They’re part of Clan Maclean, one of the oldest Highland clans. The Macleans were famous for their honor, strength and courage in battle. They fought in Jacobite Risings and supported Robert the Bruce, who, of course, secured Scotland’s independence from England.”

“Wow. What a rich family history.” Meadow smiled at Logan. “You’re descended from Scottish Highlanders. Isn’t that fascinating?”

“Riveting. I’m on the edge of my seat.” His bored expression suggested otherwise.

---