Page 78 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

My gut tightened. My knuckles turned white as I gripped my glass. All of a sudden, I didn’t want Donovan anywhere near Lindsay.

“The only reason I haven't asked her out is her kids."

My brain screeched to a halt. "Her kids?"

He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “Yeah. Three of them. All girls.”

What the fuck?

"You didn’t know?" Donovan looked genuinely surprised.

My mind raced, trying to process this new information. Why hadn't Lindsay told me about her kids?

“I… ah…" My heart was racing at the possibility that the kids were mine. I’d loved her five years ago and done so without a condom. But no. She would have told me… wouldn’t she?

“I’m shocked that you didn’t know. You’re Liam’s brother, after all. Those kids are your nieces.”

I stared at him, trying to wrap my brain around this news. I struggled to comprehend how Lindsay could have kept something like this from me. Surely, there was an explanation. It had been five years since Liam died and I left. Surely, she’d met other men. One of them had to be the father. It didn’t explain why she’d never told me about the kids.

"Are you sure they're Liam's?"

"Yep. She and I were talking about it earlier today.”

My hands clenched into fists as confusion gave way to hurt and anger. How could she not tell me she'd had Liam’s children?

"Listen, Oliver." Donovan leaned forward, his gray eyes intense. "Considering Lindsay was brought into this and she has three little girls, that’s a lot at risk. Consider giving me the papers so we can keep them safe.”

My brain had difficulty following what he was saying. He was back to the papers. "I don't have them on me," I said absently.

“Are they safe? Can we go get them?”

I shook my head. “I've already talked to the FBI."

His eyes flashed with annoyance. He sipped his beer. “Okay. I hate losing to those mother fuckers. But I can help if you’ll let me.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I felt like I was out of my body. My thoughts and emotions swirled in a whirlwind. Liam’s murder. The current threat. Lindsay. Her and Liam’s kids. It was all too much to take in at once.

I downed the last of my beer. “Thanks for meeting with me, Donovan. I need to go.” I rose from the booth, pulling out my wallet and tossing two twenties on the table.

"Everything okay?" His eyes narrowed in concern.

"Yeah, just… I need to take care of something. I'll catch you later, alright?"

"Sure thing, man. Let me know if you change your mind about the papers.”

As soon as I left the bar, the bitter afternoon air felt like a slap in the face. What the hell was going on? How could Lindsay not tell me about her children? Liam's children.

I ordered a rideshare and gave the address for Lindsay’s father’s home. By the time we pulled up to the brownstone, my anger and hurt were at volcanic levels. I’d given her my heart. Poured out my soul. And she’d hidden a part of Liam from me.

I knocked and rang the doorbell, but no one answered. Then I remembered that Donovan said he’d seen Lindsay earlier in the day. That had to have been at her place.

Luckily, my rideshare hadn’t left and I was able to get back in. After a search on my phone, I learned Lindsay’s address and had the driver take me there. The time didn’t settle me down.

We pulled in front of Lindsay’s home. I paid the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk, my heart pounding as I made my way to the front door.

I knocked sharply on the door, my hand trembling with a mix of anxiety and anger. What would I say? How could she explain this away?

The door swung open.

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