Page 183 of Bona Fide

“The what?” I perk a brow as Henry takes the far couch.

“Nikolai Bogdanov,” she continues. “Russian delegate to their defense department and also known as a spy in my world.”

My nostrils flare. “Of course, because you’re a spy now.”

I don’t know what I’m pissed at more now. Em being someone that I don’t know anymore. That this alleged job that she has puts her in danger, and I’m not okay with it. That she brought my father into my house, who is now sipping on my expensive whiskey and in the presence of my siblings right now. Especially when I’m trying to right my wrongs and his visually impaired senses as a father that didn’t want to help.

And maybe I should stop passing around the blame because I’m as fucked up in the head as he is.

“You done?” She lifts a brow, and I avert my gaze because, no, I’m not, but we’re not going to solve that issue.

“What’s in this folder?” Phoebe asks. “Can I open it?”

“Go ahead,” I reply, the smell of cannabis hitting my nose. “What is she doing with this Niko—whatever the fuck his name is?”

“She’s pregnant with his baby.” My jaw drops before my father shifts in his chair.

“The fuck?!” Lucas and I exclaim at the same time.

Damn, maybe we didn’t lose our brotherly connection because Lucas stands up next to me in silent comfort.

“She wants to sign over her rights to Daxton, the child we have together.”

“The what?!” Phoebe chimes in loudly, now on her feet to stand on the other side of me. “What are you talking about, Dad?”

“Take another hit off that blunt,” I tell her. “You’re going to need it.”

“What did you do?” Lucas accuses. “You...you fucked Wade’s wife?”

“Technically, they weren’t married yet,” Henry corrects like the douchebag he is. “But—” Lucas moves in his direction.

“You’re a sick fuck.” My hand lands on his shoulder, not needing to put a lot of pressure on it. He does what I silently ask and stops before extending an arm in Henry’s direction. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

I shrug weakly. “You had enough problems.”

“They’re our problems,” Phoebe conveys. “No more secrets.”

“Shit—” Lucas rakes his hands through his matching dark hair. “—this bitch has her hand in everything.”

“And she doesn’t want any support,” Em chimes in, eyes latching on to mine. She doesn’t need to say anything else because we both know that doesn’t sound like her, so there’s another alternative. “I think she wants to be taken off the birth certificate and sign over her rights because Nikolai doesn’t want her link to Henry nor another child that isn’t his.”

“Then let her go,” I contest. “She’ll only fuck herself and save us all the trouble.”

“There’s more,” Henry transmits. “Someone broke into my office last night. Security cameras picked up two men in black.”

“So?”

“My laptop is gone.”

This stupid-ass motherfucker.

“What was on it, old man?”

“Emails from supporters—” She air quotes with her fingers. “—for when you became governor.”

I cock my head to the side. “Saying, what, exactly?” Em glances down at Henry, who’s downing the rest of his whiskey.

“More like blackmail,” he finally offers. “I had shit on these people, and they agreed to sway votes and their own people.”

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