Page 23 of Tainted Rose

Max:Like I said, two visitors logged in for the bookkeeper the day the money came in.

Max:Joseph Grey

Max:and Sebastian Coventry.

I blink. What? Xander’s dad. And his stepfather. What are the odds that both people who’d been there that day would be linked to Xander? I worry my lip as the ramifications roll through my brain.

Me:Well, that’s …

Max:Really fucking weird, right?

I swallow hard, stunned. If my father is one of these people …

Only one of those two men has reddish hair…

Holy fuck.Is Sebastian Coventry my father? My mouth is suddenly very dry as I try to think back to the night I’d met him a week ago. Had I met my dad as I was running from Xander and hadn’t even realized it?

A few more texts come in, but I can’t look. I’m frozen. Is this why Xander is pushing me away? Does he actually know something that will hurt me? Or—? Bile rises in my throat. I’m scared to contemplate all the implications here. With a huff, I finally look down again at the incoming messages.

Daphne:So, your dad could be …

Max:Well, I fucking hope it’s Sebastian because if it’s not, she’s into her bro.

Me:OMG, please don’t go there.

Max:Calm down, Cupcake. I was messing with you.

Max:It’s obviously Sebastian, right? The hair …

Daphne:OMG, you’re right. His is a dark reddish-auburn color. Still no word on that yearbook, btw.

Me:Crap. Okay, I need to go. I have a lot to process, assuming we are on the right track.

Me:Thanks, Max.

---