Kitabı oku: «The By Request Collection», sayfa 8

Eleven

Graham eased back in his chair and thanked God the case he’d been waiting on to go to trial was finally scheduled. This would be a slam dunk for his client, and another win for Graham and the firm.

Since she’d last seen him, he’d randomly texted Eve. He purposely didn’t flirt, didn’t get into anything sexual or do the whole pathetic what-are-you-wearing thing. Nope. He wanted to keep her guessing, because if she was guessing, then she was thinking about him and his next move. And if she was thinking about him, then her thoughts would travel to the bedroom all on their own.

But the wait was killing him. It had been too long since he’d touched her properly. The thought of having another woman didn’t excite him in the least. Eve was the woman he wanted in his bed, or anywhere else he could get her all to himself.

He knew she was getting ready for her sister’s upcoming costume party, but he still wanted to see her. She couldn’t come to him fast enough.

“Mr. Newport.” His assistant’s soft voice came through the speaker. “You have a visitor.”

Eve? No, that was ridiculous. She wouldn’t come here, not after she’d exploded when he’d shown up at her office during business hours.

“Shall I send Carson in?”

Graham came to his feet and pressed the speaker button. “Yes. Thank you.”

Graham’s door swung open and Carson stepped inside, closing the door at his back.

“You have a minute?”

Graham gestured to the seat across from his desk. “Of course.”

“I’ll be brief.” Carson remained standing, so Graham did, too. “I’m going to see Sutton this evening. He called me yesterday and wanted to meet. I’ve been hesitant, but his time is limited, so I’m going.”

Graham stilled. “Alone?”

“I know you and Brooks want answers from him, so if you want to go, we can all meet there. That bastard thinks he can always get what he wants, but we’re a team, so we’re in this together.”

Another encounter with Sutton? Why not. The more they pumped him for answers, the greater the odds he’d wear down and just tell them what they wanted to know.

“Is Brooks going?”

Carson nodded. “He’s meeting me there.”

Graham glanced at the files on his desk, the open emails on his computer screen waiting to be answered. Nothing was more important than another shot with Sutton. Their time was running out.

“What time?” he asked, turning back to his brother.

“Seven.”

Graham gave a firm nod of his head. “I’ll be there.”

Carson pulled in a deep breath and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I have no idea what I’m going to say. It’s still awkward for me, especially now that he’s dying...”

Graham couldn’t imagine the emotions Carson was dealing with right now. “Are you sure you don’t want to take Georgia instead?”

“No. She understands the need for the three of us to be there. I want to help you guys get the answers you need, plus I want to see what he has to say.”

Graham wondered what Eve would say if she knew he was going to see her father. She was protective of him, wouldn’t want anyone going to him on his deathbed and pumping him for information. Still, Graham was going to try one last time. Who knew when the man was going to pass? Sutton may have still been getting the best care at his sprawling estate, but that was only because of his billions. He was too proud to be in some facility like everyone else.

Had Eve told her father about the baby? Doubtful, or Sutton would’ve called Graham to meet with him, as well. Was Eve planning on exposing their secret or was she hoping to avoid telling her dad?

“You okay?”

Graham blinked and focused back on his brother. “Yeah. Fine. I’ll finish up here and meet you all over at Sutton’s.”

Carson let himself out and Graham hurried to finish up the work that needed his attention right now. Once he was done, he grabbed his cell and thought about firing off a text to Eve but opted not to. She didn’t need to know what was going on. If Sutton wanted her to know, he could tell her. Graham wasn’t putting himself in the middle any more than he already was.

Sutton’s affairs were his business, but Sutton’s affair with Graham’s mom was clearly out in the open now. Considering that Carson wasn’t much younger than Graham and Brooks, Graham knew the affair had started when he and Brooks were mere infants. There was no way in hell Sutton wasn’t aware of the first name of their father at least. Why did the old bastard care enough to keep it secret? Any information he provided would go a long way to helping them discover who their father was.

But maybe they wouldn’t like the answer. Maybe their father was fully aware of the twins he’d given up. Maybe he didn’t want anything to do with them. Still, that was a risk Graham and Brooks were willing to take.

In the end, Graham texted Eve, asking if she’d found a costume for the party. Simple enough, but effective in keeping her on her toes and their lines of communication open.

As soon as he started to shut the lights off in his office, the cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and nearly sagged against the wall. The image of Eve dressed as some sexy goddess with a white wrap hugging all her tempting curves had him gritting his teeth and cursing himself for telling her he’d give her space. The little vixen was playing games with him. She wanted him begging. He was sure that was her angle.

But two could definitely play at that game and he never played without every intention of winning.

* * *

Sutton Winchester’s house was a vast estate not too far from the offices where he’d once controlled the real estate world. Graham and Brooks moved in behind Carson as they were led toward the back of the house. The butler was solemn and said nothing as he gestured for them to follow. Not that Graham was expecting a warm welcome, but still.

He tried to take in the surroundings, tried to imagine Eve growing up in this cold mansion. There wasn’t a thing out of place and it looked more like a museum than a place where children played.

Graham instantly thought of his penthouse and cringed. Not exactly a playground, but he would make damn sure his child had a fun place to be a kid even if he had to remove his wet bar and put in an indoor jungle gym.

How pathetic was this? He was already one-upping Sutton in his own mind in regards to parenting. Ridiculous.

The servant escorting them motioned toward a set of double doors. Carson thanked the man and threw a glance back at his brothers.

“We’ve got your back,” Brooks stated. “Go in when you’re ready.”

Carson turned back around, placed his hands on the knobs and eased both doors open. Graham didn’t know what he expected, maybe a gray-toned man lying in bed hooked up to machines keeping him alive. But the reality was Sutton sitting up in a plush chair with his feet up by the fire in what Graham assumed was the master suite. A thick, plaid blanket covered his lap.

Sutton was once a kingpin in the corporate world, but right now he looked to be someone’s loving grandpa waiting for children to gather around for story time.

Actually, this was his child’s grandfather, but Graham would rather forget that little fact and focus on the reason for their visit now.

“I was hoping you’d come alone,” Sutton stated. “But I’m not surprised you brought your brothers.”

Graham didn’t reply. This was Carson’s show...for now. Carson had received the invite and it was Carson who had the most to get off his chest. Graham and Brooks were most likely beating the proverbial dead horse. Okay, really poor choice of words, but he couldn’t help what popped into his head.

“My brothers and I are a unit. You know all about family loyalty, right?” Carson mocked.

Sutton merely nodded, not answering the rhetorical question.

“I don’t even know what to say to you,” Carson admitted.

Graham exchanged a knowing look with Brooks. They both knew Carson was on edge, and it definitely cost him to admit it. The poor guy had been on the fence about whether to fully accept Sutton as his father, whether to approach him and listen to what the old man had to say. But they were here now and Graham was more concerned about Carson’s feelings than anything else.

“Have a seat.” Sutton turned his attention to the twins. “All of you.”

Carson remained still, staring at his father. Graham moved first to take a seat on the sofa on the other side of the oriental rug across from Sutton. Brooks sat beside him and finally Carson took the last spot on the end.

Sutton shifted in his seat. Graham wasn’t sure if it was nerves or if the old man was simply trying to get comfortable. Sutton wasn’t the type to show his emotions, so Graham doubted he was feeling anything but smug. He’d called Carson to come, and he had.

“Why did you want me here?” Carson finally asked, breaking the silent tension.

“You’re my son.”

Graham snorted, ignoring Sutton’s frown and quick, disapproving look.

“So you’re expecting us to get to know each other now that I know the truth and you’re sick?” Carson asked.

Sutton turned his face to the fire. Orange flames licked against the black stone. The Chicago air was cooling quite a bit, hinting at an early winter. Graham found it easy to focus on the weather, on the fire, on anything other than the fact he didn’t want to be here. Oh, he wanted to be here if he was going to get a name, but the chances of that happening were about as good as Sutton recovering from lung cancer.

“What you decide to do is up to you.” Sutton coughed, and that’s when it was apparent how sick the man was. This coughing fit wasn’t short and it wasn’t quiet. Finally, when he was done, he turned back to Carson. “I wanted you to know that I truly loved your mother.”

Brooks tensed beside Graham. Of course he’d bring their mother into the conversation. He’d pretend that he knew her well, that he was heartbroken to leave her. Sutton had left Cynthia alone and pregnant, just like he’d found her. Only this time she’d been pregnant with his kid and he hadn’t known it. Still, a lowly waitress and outsider wouldn’t have fit into his high-society world of luxury homes, cars and diamonds.

The atmosphere of anger and bitterness in this room enveloped them all. There was so much to be said, but at the same time they were dealing with a dying man...and Eve’s father. The grandfather of Graham’s baby.

Graham stared at Sutton and tried to imagine the man from the picture on Eve’s mantel. The man who held his daughter on his shoulders at some amusement park. Sutton may be ruthless, he may have had countless affairs, but he loved his children. Considering that he had been shocked by the news of Carson’s paternity, Graham wasn’t surprised he’d called Carson to his home. Sutton wouldn’t sit back and just ignore his child.

But he had no problem ignoring his ex-lover’s other children.

“If you loved our mother, then tell us the name of our father,” Brooks stated. “You were with her long enough. She would’ve confided in you.”

Sutton shook his head. “It’s because I loved Cynthia that I won’t betray her confidence. If she’d wanted you to know, she would’ve told you.”

“Tell them.” Carson’s low demand shocked Graham.

“It’s not my place, son.”

Carson let out a humorless laugh, eased forward and rested his forearms on his legs. Hands dangling between his knees, he glanced toward Brooks and Graham. Trying to offer silent support, Graham nodded for Carson to go on.

“My brothers deserve to know their father,” Carson said, looking back at Sutton. “They keep hitting dead ends. If you can help them—”

“I didn’t call them here,” Sutton interrupted. “I wanted to see you. I don’t have much time, though my doctors keep telling me I’m a fighter. I’m realistic.”

“All the more reason for you to tell us,” Brooks stated. “You may be the only other person who knows. We don’t even know if our birth father is aware of us.”

Sutton simply stared back. He gave no hint of what he knew, no sign that he even cared if they were struggling. Graham never liked the man from his dealings with him in the corporate world. He’d been sneaky and underhanded. He kept secrets, even from his staff. Graham had actually seen one of Sutton’s previous employees win a case against the old man, but that had been during Graham’s internship so he hadn’t had a hand in that win.

Graham knew Sutton wasn’t about to give up the name, if he even knew a name. For all Graham knew, Sutton was just stringing them along. How had Eve turned out so loyal and honest?

Obviously Eve’s mother had a hand in raising her daughter right and was smart enough to finally leave Sutton after years of unfaithful marriage.

“I want to make something clear,” Sutton went on. “Cynthia was the love of my life.”

Graham didn’t want to hear this, didn’t want to be subjected to more lies. But one glance at Carson made Graham realize that his younger brother wanted to know. Not that Carson was naive, but Carson was more prone to forgiveness than Graham or Brooks. So Graham remained silent, though he had plenty of thoughts racing through his mind.

Sutton’s eyes didn’t leave Carson. “I would’ve given anything to be with Cynthia. But my wife was so well connected in Chicago society, it would’ve been career suicide to leave her. Plus, she would’ve made life hell for Cynthia, and I couldn’t allow that.”

“Would you have made the same decision if you’d known about me?”

The underlying tone of vulnerability was something Graham had never seen from Carson. Graham’s younger brother was a rock, he was always in control, but this little meeting was getting to him. Graham prayed Carson would hold it together.

“I would’ve gone through hell to be with my son.”

Sutton’s answer sounded honest. Graham fully believed the man would’ve sacrificed his marriage to Eve’s mother. No doubt Sutton would’ve wanted a son to raise, to mold into his heir. But Eve had filled that role, and she was doing a remarkable job. Maybe too remarkable.

And just like that, his thoughts had once again strayed to Eve during this meeting. He’d be checking on her again when they left here...especially after that little picture she’d sent to torture him.

“I want to hate you,” Carson muttered.

Graham glanced over in time to see Brooks give a manly, reassuring pat to Carson’s shoulder. They were here for Carson, to support him. If he wanted to embrace Sutton as his father and live out these days happily ever after, then that’s what they’d do. But Graham wasn’t so willing to forgive the bastard.

“I know you do,” Sutton agreed. “And you have every right. But I couldn’t die, not without telling you that Cynthia meant the world to me and I regret not having been there for you.”

Graham wasn’t surprised that their mother had kept the baby from Sutton. She’d probably been scared of the backlash and it was just as easy to live with Gerty and raise her boys in secret as opposed to facing legal proceedings, which she wouldn’t have been able to afford.

Silence filled the room. The fire continued to crackle, sending out wayward flickers and orange sparks. Graham glanced around the room. He thought for sure that he’d see pictures of Eve and her sisters here, but there was nothing. Images of Eve staring at pictures of her father on her computer flashed through Graham’s mind. She’d been so eager to get those images uploaded and she’d scrolled through them as though they were her lifeline to her ailing father.

Graham didn’t want Carson to give his loyalty, his love to Sutton, but this wasn’t Graham’s choice to make. Who knew what would happen if and when he ever found his birth father? Maybe Graham would find a jerk who knew about his kids and just didn’t care. What then? Would Graham still forgive him or want to try to make a relationship with him?

“I don’t know what to say, honestly.” Carson stared at his hands dangling between his knees. “I’d like to visit you, maybe see you a little more and talk. For whatever time we have—”

“I’ll take anything,” Sutton said, a soft smile forming on his pale face.

Graham had only seen that smile in Eve’s pictures. Apparently he reserved the emotion for his children. Graham was a bit jealous of how Carson’s journey had ended; he deserved a dad, even if it was Sutton.

Brooks came to his feet and sighed. “I’m done here. Carson, stay as long as you like. I’ll be outside.”

Once Brooks was gone, Graham also stood. He approached Sutton, knowing this may be the last time he ever saw the man. He had no intention of ever coming back.

“I’m glad you’re not my father,” Graham said, leaning down just enough so only Sutton could hear. “But Carson is happy to finally know. If you have to fake affection, do it. He deserves a father who isn’t a jerk.”

“I love my son,” Sutton said simply.

Graham nodded and straightened. It was so tempting to tell him about the baby. So tempting to get just one final jab in. But Graham wasn’t that much of an ass and he’d never do that to Eve. He wanted a chance to show her what a good father he could be and harassing her father was not the way to go about that.

Graham turned to his brother. “I’ll wait outside with Brooks. Seriously, take your time.”

Before Graham had gotten outside, he’d fired off a text to Eve indicating what he’d do to her if he were to ever see her in that Halloween costume.

“That man can rot in hell for all I care.” Brooks rested his back against one of the thick, white columns of the portico. “I’m happy for Carson, but damn it. That man is infuriating.”

Graham stepped forward, shoving his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders against the chilly breeze. “Carson has been on the fence for a while now. He wants to forgive Sutton. I hate to come to the guy’s defense, but he didn’t know Carson existed.”

Brooks jerked his gaze around. “Are you serious? You’re going to stand there and make excuses for the guy? If Mom was the love of his life, as he claims, then he would’ve moved heaven and earth to be with her. And he damn well would give a portion of his estate to his biological son.”

When Graham didn’t reply, Brooks narrowed his eyes. “This has to do with Eve, doesn’t it? You’re still hung up on her.”

He was the father of her child. Which was a few levels above being “hung up on her.”

“I’m stating the obvious, that’s all.” Graham wasn’t about to bring Eve into this discussion. She had enough on her plate without being further caught up in this battle. “Sutton and Carson need time to talk alone. You and I will only make things worse.”

Brooks started pacing on the stone walk. “I need Roman to come up with something concrete. I’m putting all my faith in him to find our father.”

“I know,” Graham said, hating how much this issue was controlling Brooks’s life. “But it will happen. We can’t run into dead ends forever. Something will turn up. Someone somewhere knows the truth.”

Brooks snorted and jerked his thumb toward the house. “Yeah. He’s in there.”

Graham stared at the double doors. Sutton knew. Absolutely without a doubt he knew. But Graham refused to beg the man. He would find out on his own. He would not give Sutton any satisfaction in getting one up on him. Ever.