Read Secrets for Free Online Page B

her. “I met the twins.”
    She nodded slowly. The frown on her forehead
dug deeper than before. “They told me.” She spread her hands and
shrugged.
    He stood and looked at Sven. They stared at
each other for a moment. “Uncle David’s their father, right?” He
sneered, his words dripped with disdain and something more.
    “What?” She whispered. As his words
registered, her stomach lurched and she heaved. The coffee she’d
had earlier hit the wastebasket. Tears filled her eyes as she
stared at him. At that moment, she hated him and his mother. “You
son of a bitch and I do mean that literally. Your uncle was a man
of honor and integrity, worth ten of you. How dare you…how dare you
say such a foul thing. You’re a fucking— ”
    “Whoa, wait…I thought, I mean they look— “
His face paled and then reddened.
    “How dare you stoop so low? Your mother,
yeah. Expected. But Mr. Baxter loved you like his own.” Her voice
cracked under the weight of his betrayal. Her face and neck heated,
grew tight. Words stuck in her throat as her face crumbled and she
broke down in tears.
    “I didn’t… Damn, Chas. I’m sorry. I jumped
to conclusions and thought they were his kids. I didn’t mean to
make it look like— “
    Her head snapped up and she glared at him
through tears. “What the hell were you thinking? He was in his
seventies. Can men that old still have sex? Or even want to? She
looked at all the red faces in the room and swiped the moisture
from her face. “Never mind. If that’s the new angle your mother is
going after, she’ll be disappointed.”
    “My mother only suspects the boys are yours.
She’s thinking of an unfit mother angle.”
    The moment the last word left his mouth, her
eyes widened and then narrowed. I will kill that bitch . Fire
leapt in her veins. She hadn’t realized she’d moved until she stood
in front of him, vibrating under the force of her anger and
conviction.
    “Tell that bitch to bring it on. I will
crush her.” She turned and left the room.
    In all the years he’d known her, he’d never
seen her shaken. If asked, he’d have said she didn’t get riled or
happy. The pain and sorrow in her eyes when he mentioned his uncle
fathering her sons, ripped through him. But that last look, when
she cursed his mother, was death on two legs. No fear, no
compromise, no games. He didn’t doubt for a moment she’d do exactly
as promised.
    “You’re an asshole.” Mr. Jamison shoved some
papers at him. “Here’s the paperwork for the Bentley and the Jaguar
convertible he left you. Although you probably think she fucked him
to get you those as well.” Jamison stood. “Your uncle was a
respectable man, with a large heart and a strong sense of justice.
He hated seeing the innocent punished and the guilty go free. What
you implied is an insult to his memory and to that courageous young
woman. Call my office, leave your account information, and the
money he left for you will be transferred. Or we can mail you a
check.” He turned and walked out, closing the door tightly behind
him.
    Kenton was so stunned by the turn of events,
he couldn’t think. Last night, instead of enjoying Renee the way he
should have, he’d spent most of the night matching memories and
events. He'd finally settled on the idea that his uncle had
fathered the boys, the only logical conclusion to his mind.
    “What’s wrong with you? Even if you believe
that bullshit, why’d you throw it out there like some jealous
bastard?” Sven asked, leaning against the wall.
    Shaking his head, Kenton stood holding his
arm and ignored the jealous comment. Of course, Sven would pick up
on his true reason for anger. “Man, I saw them yesterday. Say what
you want, but there’s a definite family resemblance. Those kids got
some Baxter in them.”
    Sven straightened and stared at him. “Not
from Mr. B.” His tone adamant.
    “Look, I’m not trying to start shit. I
already told my mom, if she goes down that bullshit