Page 289 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I release the breath I'm holding in.
“But even if I weren't suspicious, I would’ve neverleft a used condom lying around. I'm smarter than that. Well, I was, until you arrived in the picture. You completely blindsided me.”
He drags his index finger down my screwed-up nose. I should be angry we’re discussing his previous sexual encounters, but I’m not. Even though I hate the idea of him with anyone else, I appreciate that he's being forthright and honest.
“How did you find out they were undercover officers?”
“Hunter,” he says like that one response should answer all my questions.
I stare into his eyes, still confused.
“He’s a brilliant researcher and hacker.”
Oh.
“Have you ever considered arranging your own paternity test?”
He nods. “Yes, but not because I believe Jeremiah is mine, but because I want to refute Theresa’s claims. Theresa never attended the appointments I scheduled. She always had an excuse. Jeremiah was sick, he had a temperature, or she had to work. After the fifth attempt, I gave up.”
“She made excuses as she knew what the results would be.”
“That I’m not his father.” He brushes a wayward hair off my cheek before his eyes turn back to mine. “She thought she was clever. She designed one of the most arduous ruses I’ve dealt with. She even slept with a man with a cleft chin to make her ruse more believable, but I'm smarter than her, and I know without a doubt he isn’t my son.”
My heart aches for little Jeremiah. He's caught in a battle he doesn’t belong in, but my anger on his behalf isn’t directed at Isaac. It’s wholly directed at Theresa. She's his mother, his blood. She should be sheltering him from matters like this, not using him as a pawn to force a man to interact with her.
“I was a witness in Theresa’s incompetency hearing, but only on the agreement that my testimony was sealed. I didn’t want my personal information readily available to anyone who has access to a computer. They were lenient on Theresa at my request because she was pregnant with Jeremiah. I had her sign a non-disclosure agreement that she could not discuss anything pertaining to Jeremiah’s paternity case or the hearing on the agreement she resigned from her position. If I'd known she could join the FBI, I would’ve stipulated harsher terms to our agreement.”
“So she doesn’t know you’re sterile?”
“No, my testimony was done in private. Other than you, Regan, Jae, and Avery, no one else is aware.” His jaw muscles spasm. “Well, no one elsewasaware.” Air escapes his flaring nostrils. “Ryan informed me this morning that Alex is aware of Theresa’s claims.” The tick in his jaw amplifies. “There's only one way Alex could have found out that information.”
I try to suffocate the look of guilt on my face, but Isaac is too perceptive to miss it. His lips straighten as he glares into my eyes. “You know about Regan and Alex?”
I lick my dry lips, hoping some moisture will ease out my next set of words. “I witnessed an exchange between them a few weeks ago. It was obvious they knew each other… personally.”
He stares at me, waiting for further explanation. He knows I'm holding back information because he has eyes that can see through to my soul.
“Regan said something about Alex using her for his own benefit. It was when we were discussing the discovery of Theresa having my phone tapped. Now, knowing about the paternity claims, it kind of makes sense why she was removed from your case, and Alex was assigned to her team.”
Isaac’s face reddens with anger. “So Regan broke lawyer/client confidentiality to help her boyfriend secure a more lucrative position. A position that was to investigate the man shesolelyworks for.”
“I don’t believe Regan purposely set out to deceive you, Isaac. The instant she knew Alex was here investigating you, she cut all ties. She hadn’t seen him since that day.”
“That doesn’t make her any less guilty of betraying my trust.”
I cup his cheek. His anger is so paramount, the blood blazing through his veins warms my hand. “She couldn’t help who she fell in love with any more than me falling in love with you. You can’t help who you love. Don’t punish her for opening her heart. Mistakes happen all the time. You’ve made mistakes. I’ve madeplenty of mistakes. Regan made a mistake, and she's living with the repercussions of her error every day.”
He remains quiet, silently contemplating. I try to get him over the fence.
“Regan cares deeply for Alex, but she gave him up because her loyalty to you was stronger. She's already suffering living without him. Don’t punish her more.”
Warmth blooms in my chest when he nods, agreeing with my statement. The energy in the room turns from somber to electrifying when he stares dotingly into my eyes. The spark of attraction has always been dominant between us, but there's something greater that tethers us together. It’s an intimate string that’s becoming sturdier with every moment we spend together. I didn’t think my love for him could grow any stronger, but it astonishes me every day with how much it continues to bloom.
The ringing of the doorbell interrupts our emotion-packed stare-down. I try to hold in my excitement, but my anticipation at meeting Isaac’s family is too great for me to contain.
“Only you would be excited about meeting the in-laws,” Isaac mocks while assisting me down from the counter.
After lacing his fingers through mine, he walks us to the foyer. The thrashing of my heart increases with every step I take. I'm equally excited and nervous about meeting his family.
