Page 36 of Dallas
She giggles. “That’s an understatement. Is Tiago the same with Reagan as you are with me and Ryder with Claire?”
“Yes, every bit as dominant and overprotective. Apparently, it’s in our blood.”
“Maybe your grandfather felt that way about your grandmother, and that’s why he couldn’t go on without her. Maybe that’s why he became reclusive and mean.”
I suck in a breath and ponder her words. “Perhaps you’re right, baby. I’ve never thought of it like that. I already know I would be a basket case if anything ever happened to you. I want to surround you in bubble wrap and never let you leave my side.”
She trails her fingers down my pecs. “Do you think your sense of urgency stems from that fear? Like you need to drag me to the chapel and get me pregnant immediately so I’m bound to you?”
I consider her suggestion and shake my head. “I already know you will never be apart from me. I don’t need to prove it with papers and babies. I want those things because I want our bond to be deeper and deeper. I feel so strongly about you that I want everything for us, and I don’t want to waste a single moment getting it. Life can be fragile. I won’t waste time not having the love of my life by my side.”
She searches my eyes. “One day, someone might find me.”
“We’ll deal with that day when it happens, baby. Together.”
Chapter 14
Arianna
* * *
It’s unnerving facing everyone at breakfast. Now that Dallas knows who I am, it’s only fair to tell the rest of the family. I don’t want him keeping my secrets from his cousins. Plus, they deserve to be aware of what could happen to me someday. They should have the choice to opt out of dealing with my potential shit.
Claire is obviously delighted to see me when she comes into the kitchen. She rushes over and gives me a hug. She’s a genuinely sweet woman. I already know I’m going to love her. Can she deal with my crappy past?
Before I launch into my story, Dallas explains what happened at the library last night. Claire and Ryder are genuinely concerned, which warms my heart.
After Gretchen sets platters of food in the middle of the breakfast table in the corner of the kitchen, I take a deep breath and face her. “Please sit with us for a minute. I have something to say. You need to hear it, too.”
Gretchen frowns, but when Dallas stands to pull out a chair for her, she takes a seat.
“Is everything okay?” Claire asks.
I draw in a deep breath as Dallas settles next to me and grabs my hand in his. “Everything is fine,” he informs them. “The truth is I’m a nosy asshole who doesn’t trust easily after my ex-wife took me to the cleaners, so I hired a PI to look into Arianna.”
Claire’s jaw drops. “You did not.”
Dallas winces. “Yeah, I did. I knew she wasn’t exactly who she said she was from the moment I met her. Call it a sixth sense. It doesn’t change anything, and I knew it never would, but nevertheless, my PI called this morning because he uncovered what happened. We’ve discussed it, and Arianna thinks it’s only fair that you all know, too.”
Gretchen sits taller, her brow furrowed. “I’ve known you for two years, child. You’re as sweet as pie. I don’t care what happened to you before you came to Wilde. I know you’re good people.”
Tears well up yet again in the corners of my eyes at Gretchen’s fierce pronouncement. “Still, you deserve to know the facts.”
Claire reaches across the table and grabs my free hand. “Whatever you tell us, we’ll handle it.”
I draw in a breath, grateful for the squeeze I get from Dallas. “Are you familiar with the name Joseph Whitacker?”
Ryder frowns. “Wasn’t he the Florida governor who killed his wife and took his own life a while back?”
I nod. “It was ten years ago. They were my parents.”
Everyone gasps.
Claire leans in closer over the table. “Oh, Arianna. I’m so sorry, and I’m afraid I don’t remember it.”
Ryder wraps his arm around her. “That’s understandable, baby. You were twelve.”
Gretchen covers her mouth with one hand. “Oh, you poor, dear girl. I’m so sorry.”
