Page 119 of Beautiful Revenge
“Good luck with that. You’ll get past this. Let me know if I can do anything else. You’re really taking advantage of the family discount,” he drawls. “Can’t wait to meet your heiress. She really dodged a bullet—more than one if you count her murderous ex.”
“Go find someone in your own time zone to talk to,” I bite.
“You’re a realPrincess and the Pea.” He laughs, and I can imagine the wolfish grin on his face as he says it.
“Later.” There’s no way I’m listening to anything else. I ring off and head back to the bedroom. I drop my sweats and slip back into bed, putting a hand to her hip and pulling her back to my front.
“Mmm,” she hums and threads her fingers through mine before tucking it between her tits. “It’s so early.”
I kiss the back of head and spoon her naked body. “It is, baby. Go back to sleep.”
Morning will come soon enough, and she’ll have to decide what she’s going to do about the potential brother she didn’t know she had.
For me, there are no decisions to be made about my resurrectedex-mate.
I know what to do about Hugh Bancroft.
And he won’t see it coming.
Harlow
Isit cross-legged in Devon’s bed staring at him over the cup of steaming coffee he just handed me. I’m wearing his shirt from yesterday and a pair of panties that I threw on when I got up to brush my teeth.
“So, he’s legit?” I stare at Devon trying to take in what he told me. “He’s not some crazy lunatic trying to weasel money out of my dad?”
Devon takes a sip of his coffee. His back is to the headboard, and he’s wearing a pair of gray sweatpants. His bare feet are crossed at the ankles. The only thing distracting me from the thought I may not be an only child are Devon’s rippled abs and bare feet. I had no idea feet could be so masculine until I became obsessed with all things Devon.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always wanted a brother or sister. My parents couldn’t have any more kids. I’m thrilled, but it’s still a shock. I have no clue who this guy is and why it took this long to find us.
“I don’t know what to do.” I blow on my coffee that’s still too hot to drink. “Do I just call this guy up and say, ‘Hey, I heard we might share a dad. Want to meet up for a DNA test?’ I mean, that’s just weird, right? Is there protocol for this? Does Miss Manners have a lesson plan on what to do?”
Devon frowns. “Who’s Miss Manners?”
“I don’t know,” I say and set my coffee down. “She’s this ... never mind, you know what I mean. But the bigger question is, do I tell my dad?”
He shrugs. “That’s up to you, baby. He can obviously take it. He’s handled everything else to this point.”
“But a child. I have no idea what my dad was like before he met my mom. And what kind of woman wouldn’t tell aman that they made a human? It’s not like he wouldn’t have taken responsibility.”
“I’m sure you’ll find out in time. His mum is dead, and no one knows the circumstances. Do you want me to reach out to him? I can set up a lab to perform the test for both of you. You don’t have to meet him until you know for sure. Even then, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
I shake my head and hug my knees to my chest. “No. I can do it. I’ll email him and set up the test. I need to do this.”
“I knew you would. You’d go crazy not knowing.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips before reaching for his cell. “I’ve got to make a phone call. You can listen, but I need you to be quiet.”
I pick up my coffee and test it before taking a sip. “Oh, this sounds like secretive stuff. You know I want to listen.”
Devon opens his laptop before making the call and putting it on speaker.
Dean answers on the second ring. “What’s up, Donnelly?”
Devon winks at me before he starts talking, but his tone does not match the playful look he shoots me. “Don’twhat’s upme, Moretti. There was a shooting on my property, and no one has talked to the victim yet. I know Winslet is a small town, but what the fuck? I’m trying to run a business here. Malloy has something to do with Harlow Madison. I feel it and want to know the connection. Hell, I should’ve known two days ago.”
“Step back, Donnelly. I know you did whatever the fuck you wanted to as a secret agent across the pond, but that’s not how it works here. I need access from his physicians. And if you’d give me two seconds to answer, I’d be able to tell you, because I just got the all clear. The doctor said I could go in this afternoon. Let me do my job, and if you’re not an asshole, I might share what I learn.”
“It’s about time,” Devon barks. “You know where to find me. I’ll be waiting for answers.”
“Fuck, you act like you’re my boss. You’re lucky I’m sharing anything with you. Don’t call me again demanding shit. You’ll be one friend down in Winslet.”
