Page 122 of Bad Seed

“Outen knows your mother?”

“He knows all of us. He’s part of our family now and enjoys all of the benefits that come with that,” Brendan said.

“Benefits?” Jason asked.

Harley glared and leaned forward, her voice angry and verging on a hiss. “That’s enough out of you. You’ve belittled and berated me my whole adult life, but you shut your mouth about Brendan and his family. You came to visit, not dissect. If you can’t figure out how to separate the two behaviors, then feel free to fly your ass back to Houston. Mom’s used to being on her own. We’ll see to her care without you. Now, here comes ourfood. Sit up straight like a big boy and use your fork while you eat.”

Brendan choked back a laugh, and to ease the tension, he tucked his napkin into the neck of his sweater, picked up his knife and fork, and held them upright in his hands on either side of his bread plate.

Judith took one look at him and giggled.

Harley rolled her eyes.

Brendan caught Jason’s eye and winked. “I already know that when the fire’s coming out of her ears, it’s easier to do what she says.”

Reluctantly, Jason grinned at the absurdity of this huge man pretending to be cowed by his daughter’s ire and held up his hands in defeat. “Message received loud and clear, Harley Jo. I’m not going anywhere until I have myself a cinnamon roll.”

Harley yanked the napkin out of Brendan’s sweater and kissed him on the cheek. “I do not deserve you, but I am grateful you are mine.”

“Forever and a day, Sunshine. Forever and a day,” he said.

***

That night, Judith was in their suite getting ready for bed, and Jason was standing out on the balcony of their suite looking down into the streets of Jubilee. The parking lots at the music venues were full. All of the eating and drinking establishments were open, and shops werestill lit up. People were bundled up against the chill and still walking about as if it were a balmy summer day. He didn’t understand the fascination with the place, but it was obvious it attracted a lot of people.

Today had been a revelation for him in more ways than one. Harley’s love for Brendan Pope was real, and it seemed to be returned. They were protective of each other, and yet the man had known instinctively when to step back and let her shine. And shine she did. Love had softened all of her hard edges without dampening the fire within her. He could go back to Houston without further concerns and pat himself on the back for raising a brilliant child. For Jason, success mattered more than love.

Judith was enjoying a bath in the jetted tub and aimlessly popping bubbles as she soaked. She was satisfied with the man Harley had fallen for and tried not to think of what she herself had sacrificed for the pleasure of Jason’s money and the cachet of his name.

Life was a trade-off, and she’d traded love for money and would take that secret to her grave. Harley had Jason’s name, but she was not his child. Only Judith knew that, not even the man with whom she’d had the affair. But every time she saw her daughter, she saw his face and remembered love.

***

Harley had been following up on details of getting her things moved out of her Chicago apartment when Brendanleft her sitting by the fire and went to shower. The day had been long and stressful, and tomorrow would be more of the same. But even after he’d showered and washed his hair, he was still standing beneath the flow of hot water with his head down and his hands braced against the wall.

Suddenly, he felt a rush of air, and then Harley was behind him. She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his back.

“Thank you for today. For enduring my father’s digs and my mother’s constant inquiries into your bloodline.”

Without a word, he turned and lifted her off her feet.

Anticipation shot through her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands were on her backside as he pinned her against the shower wall. Water was running in rivulets down his back as he eased her down on his erection.

Harley moaned.

“Hold on, Sunshine. I’ve been thinking about this all day, but I can’t last long. You’re gonna think you’ve been a victim of a hit-and-run.”

She tucked her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. “Just love me,” she whispered.

“I already do.”

***

The day before Jason and Judith were to leave, Brendan and Harley took them up the mountain, and again, hisfamily had come through for him. They were all there waiting to meet Harley’s parents, just as they’d waited to meet her. What they didn’t know was that Wolf Outen was also there, waiting for them to arrive.

***

“This mountain is a bit intimidating,” Judith said as they drove. “No houses in sight. No traffic on the road.”

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