Page 89 of I Could Be Yours

“I’m your mother,” she states, as if this somehow explains everything.

“The hell you are!” Nate gently moves me out of the way and steps forward, towering over her, but it’s not anger infused into his posture and his tone, it’s utter devastation. “I haven’t seen you since I was eight. Until a few months ago, I hadn’t heard your voice in more than a decade. You think because you gave birth to us that it gives you some kind of right to show up and blow our worlds apart all over again?”

“Nate, honey.” She raises both her hands. “You don’t understand. I was?—”

“Fuck you.” His voice cracks with emotion.

His mother recoils.

We’re drawing attention, not just from the guests millingaround, but from the concierge. I’m terrified that Tristan or Brody will find a reason to follow us here and all of Rix’s fears will come true.

Pain laces Nate’s words as he continues to tear her down. “You lost the right to explain when you abandoned us. Do you have any idea the damage you did? You left all of us. Not just Dad.All of us. You left it up to Tristan to tell us you were gone. Do you know what that did to him? To us? You’re not a mother, you’re selfish and self-absorbed, and you have no right to insert yourself back into our lives after the hell you put us through.”

Two security guards head for us at the same time Connor Grace comes striding across the lobby. He’s wearing a button-down and black pants, tattoos covered, looking very much the part of hotel royalty, not a pro hockey player.

He meets my anxious gaze as he surveys the scene, eyes landing on Nate’s mother. Understanding dawns, and cold, hard rage flashes for a moment. He holds up a hand, and the guards stop as he reaches us. His eyes narrow on the unwanted guest. “Nate, you need some help here?”

“This is a family discussion,” Nate’s mom snaps. “Nate, you need to calm down. You’re causing a scene.”

Connor levels her with a glare that makes my insides liquify. “You’re not on the guest list.”

“Excuse me?” Nate’s mom looks stricken. “I am the mother of the groom.”

“Biologically maybe.” Connor crosses his arms. “But you gave that title up along with your right to be part of their lives when you abandoned your husband and your three sons.”

She fidgets nervously with her purse strap. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I do. Tristan and I go way back. I know what you did to your family, and I know you don’t belong here,” Connor states flatly. “He does not deserve to have his wedding ruined by you.”

Nate’s mom rolls her shoulders back. “You can’t make me leave.”

“Haven’t you done enough damage? What will it take to make you stop?” Nate’s voice takes on a pleading edge. “Can’t you do us all a favor and stay gone?”

“Everyone has a price,” Connor says calmly. “What’s yours?”

All three of our heads snap in his direction.

Nate’s mom scoffs as if she’s offended.

“Would a million do it? Maybe two?” Connor tilts his head.

“How dare?—”

“Three? One for each of the kids whose lives you fucked up when you disappeared with no explanation? Would that be enough to keep you out of their lives for good?”

“You can’t be serious.” Nate’s mom fingers the pendant at her throat.

My stomach sinks as I realize she’s considering the proposal.

“Just think how much easier life will be when you don’t have to worry about money,” Connor continues. “I’ll wire it to your account right after you sign a legal and binding document that states you will not contact your sons or their father again, and if you try, you’ll have to pay it back.” His expression darkens. “With interest.”

She looks to Nate, expression uncertain.

“You should take the money,” he says flatly. “None of us want to know you.”

“But Brody?—”

“He doesn’t even remember you.” His voice hardens. “You’re dead to him. To all of us.”

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