I licked my lips, waiting for him to come to the obvious conclusion. Had his agitation increased because he suspected there was a chance I wasn’t his son?
A couple of nurses rushed in.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to leave,” a stern-faced woman said to me.
The one who had walked me here talked soothingly to my dad, but he was still looking at me.
I said, “I’ll handle it. I swear. I’ll take care of everything.”
Only then did he relax, and I left. I didn’t go far. Out the door, I called my brother, but he didn’t answer. I checked my watch. He probably hadn’t landed yet. I left him a message because he would know who dad’s current lawyer was. I didn’t.
I waited in the hall until the warning bells from that machine stopped. I peeked through the slim door window and saw Dad appeared okay. When the nurse came out, I asked that question.
“He is, but I can’t let you go back in. You can come by tomorrow and talk to the doctor.”
It wasn’t like she’d given me a choice, so I headed back to the waiting room to get Lizzy.
“Princess, let’s go,” I said, holding out a hand to her.
She came, and I almost said, “Good girl.” But she wasn’t my submissive. She was more. She was my wife, and we had to decide what to do about that.
Dad wouldn’t be needing his driver, so I had him pick us up at the hospital. When he pulled up at the white limestone townhouse, which looked deceptively small from the outside, I was taken back to the past.
I remembered one time when Dad brought me outside to make a snowman. It was the holiday after my first semester of boarding school. One time he wasn’t too busy conquering the world—or he’d felt guilty. I could almost hear the ghost of our laughter when I got out of the car after Lizzy.
“Let me know if you need anything, sir.”
“Thanks,” I said to the driver and walked slowly up to the house. I hadn’t been here since this past Christmas, when Mom insisted we have a family holiday. Looking back, she’d probably seen the writing on the wall. Now that she and Charles were out of my father’s life, I wondered if I’d come home more often. I’d made a point to stay away. I generally met my father in the office.
“Wow,” Lizzy said. “It’s impressive.”
I stopped at the door. “For a museum, not a home.” At her quizzical expression, I added, “You’ll see once we get inside.”
Before we entered, she tapped her foot. “Heated sidewalks, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said with a frown and used a key I hadn’t used in forever to let us in. Normally, someone would be here to greet us since I only came around when there was a gathering, and my presence was required.
The double doors opened into a large foyer. This area could be locked off by the inner doors if necessary, leaving only a door that led to the library and office. That meant my father could host parties or attend to business matters at home.
“I feel underdressed,” she said, sounding awestruck.
“One of the reasons I don’t come here often.”
Her eyes were everywhere, not that I blamed her. There was so much to look at—from the ornate plaster and woodwork, to the lavish paintings and furnishings. We hadn’t gotten far when she veered off toward the open doors that led into the two-story library.
“I’ll give you the grand tour later. First I need to feed you.” The jury was out if that was my dominant need to protect or if my growing feelings for her were to blame. “Do you want to take the elevator or stairs?”
“Which floor are we going to?”
“The third.”
“We can take the stairs. I’ll follow you.”
“Ladies first,” I said.
“Thanks, but I want to watch your ass on the way up.”
I chuckled. “What if I had the same idea?”
“I called dibs,” she said, waving me forward.
The woman had a way of making me smile like no other.
We walked into the enormous kitchen I hadn’t spent a lot of time in growing up. Then again, most of my childhood had been spent at the school in upstate New York.
“Have a seat.” The island I indicated could have comfortably sat twelve. I checked the fridge and it was stocked as expected. My father could want anything at any time, so his housekeeper generally kept a little of everything on hand. “How do you feel about salmon? It’s quick and easy and takes seasoning better than most proteins on short notice.”
“How do you feel about cooking it?”
I grinned. “It’s not cooking itself.”
She had no idea what it meant for me to cook for her. My need to protect extended to making sure she was taken care of on every level.
“That would be better than my hands on it. And remember this, you could spoil this girl.”
“There are other ways you can spoil me.”
She pointed at me and grinned before asking, “Does your father cook? This is a big kitchen and would be wasted if it isn’t used.”
I laughed. “Dad cooking? No, he has a live-in housekeeper. She does most of that. Mom cooked occasionally if the housekeeper wasn’t around and Dad didn’t want to go out.”
“One housekeeper for a place this big?”
“She does maintenance. A crew comes in once a week, or more if Dad has guests.”
Her eyes bounced all over the room.
“Go ahead,” I said. “You want to explore. Dinner will be ready in fifteen.”
She left, and I prepped the food before making calls.
“Kalen,” I said when he answered. “I need you to call Dad’s lawyer. He wants to expedite the divorce.”
“So you know?”
“Mom left me a screaming message once a few months back. I heard the word divorce before I deleted it.” I didn’t involve myself in my parents’ affairs as they’d been involved very little in mine. They’d never appeared like they were a happy couple unless it was in front of guest. Otherwise, they did very little together. The divorce changed very little from my point of view, and at this point, I didn’t care if they stayed together or not.
“How much do you know about Charles’s firing?” Kalen asked.
“Only the email that went around and the little you and Dad told me.”
“You did ask not to be involved.”
“I’m not complaining,” I said. “What does this have to do with the divorce?”
“I’m getting there. I’m the one who fired him. I figured out what he was doing and why.”
“And you’re just telling me now?”
“I hadn’t put all the pieces together.”
“And now you have?” I asked.
“I have indeed.”
“Care to share, big brother?”
“Charles has been jealous of Royce since they were kids.” I didn’t know this but wasn’t surprised. “He’s wanted everything Royce had including his wife.”
“He got her,” I muttered.
Kalen nodded. “That might have been enough, but his family lost their wealth a few years ago.”
“How did you find that out?” I asked.
And where had I been? Dad had an enemy and I’d been too busy in my own world to be there for him. Had I hated him that much for the past? Kalen hated him too, yet he’d taken the time to figure this out.
“A little digging. He’s been hiding by covering the loss with sketchy deals and loans. He’s stolen money from the company and tried to make it look like I did it. Thus, giving him the funding he needed and leaving him next in line for control of the company if something happened to Royce since you didn’t want to be in the line of succession.”
Shit. Had I been too selfish about wanting out of the family business? Charles always rubbed me the wrong way, but I hadn’t suspected all of this. “How much does Dad know?”
"Most of it, but not all.”
“About Charles’s relationship with Mom?”
“Yes. I didn’t tell him that I suspec
ted Charles was having an affair with your mother.”
If Kalen suspected the affair, Dad did too. He wasn’t a stupid man. “You don’t think he knew?”
He shook his head. “Royce wouldn’t have put up with both of them this long.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“For you.”
“Why do that for me? If I’m not in the picture, you’re the sole heir.”
Never in my life had anyone had my back and I struggled to trust Kalen had mine.
“You don’t deserve the fallout. Royce accepted you as his and it doesn’t matter whose blood runs through your veins. Besides, that man wouldn’t claim you unless he was sure. Though I should warn you, I baited Charles by telling him Royce had a vasectomy before he met your mother. That’s how I confirmed the affair.”
Mom had kept the affair secret. I’d only figured it out in the last year. That just showed how good of a liar she was.
“Why are we talking about this now?” I asked.
“Because I don’t know if Royce told you something that led you to marry Lizzy.”
“What does she have to do with anything?”
“He hasn’t told you?”
“Told me what?” I didn’t know what Kalen was getting at. “The only thing he asked me to do was get his lawyer to move quicker on the divorce. What do you know?”
Kalen sighed. “That should come from him. I will tell you this—knowing our father, he would have had us both checked for a DNA match to him.”
I shifted the phone so I could move the salmon to the stove. “And if he didn’t?”
“Then he’s accepted you as his no matter what. Even if Charles is your father, you’re a better man than him.”
“You didn’t think that always,” I said.
“I didn’t know you. I was angry. After growing up wondering when we’d eat next, I learned I’d been replaced. So of course, you were the evil brother. I know better now.”
“Wondering what to eat would have been preferable to the hell I endured,” I grumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing. I guess both of us had the wrong idea about each other.”
“Yes. And don’t think I would prefer Griffin as a brother over you. We grew up together, but you’re one of us now.”
There was a pause as I struggled with the wash of emotions that ran through me. “You know what. Can you give me the lawyer’s phone number? I’ll call.” Dad had asked me to do it. I could be a better son.
“Are you sure?” Kalen asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll text you the lawyer’s details.”
“Thanks.”
“And I hope you’ll trust me with the truth about why you and Lizzy got married. I don’t like knowing something Bailey doesn’t know about her best friend. That puts me in a bad spot.”
“I get it. But I think that’s Lizzy’s story to tell Bailey.”
“I’ll let it go for now. But I can’t keep this secret forever.”
I understood that. Lizzy had her rules about lies by omission.
Kalen asked, “Have you told Royce?”
“No.”
“You should tell him,” he said cryptically. “I’ll be at the hospital tomorrow and we can talk then.”
He hung up before I could question him further.
I found Lizzy in the library. “Lunch is served.”
Her smile was warm, and I found myself liking her in the space. “The art here is amazing.”
“It probably belongs in a museum. You would be a better judge.”
“I feel like I’ve walked into rooms at the Palace of Versailles. That ceiling in the library...”
I nodded. “According to my father, the original architect of this mansion back in 1883 worked on the Rockefeller family estate and was commissioned to restore the Palace of Versailles.”
“I can see it.”
“Our family bought it back in 1913 and renovated the house in the neoclassical style.”
“Big art words for a man who wields a whip.”
I chuckled. “Growing up here, at least when I was at home, it was hard not to appreciate the beauty. Much of my time was spent keeping myself company.”
“Makes sense. This place is opulent,” she said.
“Putting it mildly. We should eat before it gets cold.”
“Looking forward to it.”
She followed me back into the kitchen where I had two places set. I didn’t often cook for people beside myself. Something about doing this for her soothed the protective side of me.
“Man, this is good. Better than takeout,” she said.
“High praise,” I teased.
“It is, coming from a takeout connoisseur like myself.”
“How often did you eat out?”
“Everyday, at least until Bailey moved in. She would cook and I would eat. Though I’d make breakfast every blue moon, plus my awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. You can’t forget about them.”
“I can’t. They were good.”
“See,” she said, lifting her glass of wine. “What I do, I generally do well.” She licked her lips, and I was rock hard. Her eyes held a mischief I couldn’t ignore. “Dessert?”
“Does somebody want to play?” I asked carefully.
“I’m feeling wicked, like maybe I need a spanking.”
“Do you now?”
“And if I did?” she asked.
“I’d tell you to clean up the kitchen and come find me. If you’ve done a good job, I’ll give you what you want.”
“It’s not like there’s much to clean.”
I was the kind of cook who cleaned as I went. It made the job easier in the end.
“Then it won’t take you long,” I said and got to my feet.
I had to resist the urge to kiss that pouty mouth of hers. I also had to temper my expectations. Lizzy was having fun, but she couldn’t know yet if she’d get bored one day and want to stop.
“Where will I find you?” she asked as I walked out of the room.
“That’s half the fun. Finish first, then come looking.”
Grinning, I left her. I had calls and preparations to make. There were no toys in this house that I knew of. I would have to improvise, and I was looking forward to that.
Nineteen
Lizzy
Dishwater hands didn’t bother me. I grinned as I cleaned, which took less than ten minutes. I was drying my hands when I was scared out of my skin.
“Who are you?”
I spun around so fast I almost lost my balance. A woman with dark hair stood several feet away. The resemblance was there, and I knew immediately who she was. The good manners my mother instilled in me had me extending my hand and walking forward.
“I’m Lizzy,” I said, before letting my hand fall to the side. The scathing look I’d gotten was greeting enough.
“Lizzy, huh? Are you one of Royce’s mistresses? You’re a little young, but who knows what that man is into these days.”
“Actually, I’m—” Okay, technically, I was Striker’s wife, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to play that card yet. “I’m here with St—Connor.”
Her brow lifted. Probably because I’d tripped over his real name. “Oh, is he here? I can’t believe he’d let anyone just walk around with all the priceless artwork here.”
Okay. I’d had enough. “We’re married,” I said, feeling catty.
She laughed. Too bad it was clearly aimed at me. “Don’t fool yourself sweetie. If Connor married you, it’s only for the inheritance.”
Inheritance? I wasn’t able to hide my surprise in time.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you? Let me clue you in. Royce’s will requires his heirs to be married. And with death knocking at that man’s door, Connor would have to marry. Kalen did.”
Though I knew exactly who the woman was, I asked, “And who are you? The housekeeper?”
Her jaw dropped. Score one for me. “How dare you! This is my husband’s house. If
you’re telling the truth, you’re married to my son.” She said the last as if he was her possession.
I straightened and folded my hands across my chest. “You’re his mother?”
She nodded. Her hair was so stiff a hurricane wouldn’t move it.
“The mother who left him to be molested in boarding school because she couldn’t bother to be a mother? Do you mean that woman?”
She opened and closed her mouth a few times as I waited, my eyebrow lifted.
“You’re an arrogant little slut. I bet you think you’re marrying into money, but Royce is a mean son of a bitch. That trust Connor will inherit is airtight and you won’t see a dime of that money. So take your skinny little ass and gold dig somewhere else.”
“Mother.”
Instant fear coated her face before she composed herself and turned to face Striker. “Connor, baby, I’ve missed you.”
As I had earlier, she extended her hands and stepped forward—only to stop. The don’t you dare look in his eyes had paralyzed her.
“Why are you here?” he asked.
“This is my house,” she said.
“We both know that’s not true. Your separation required you to move out. And we both know you wouldn’t have come here unless you were one-hundred percent sure Dad wouldn’t be here. Him being in the hospital is convenient for you.”
“My things are still here,” she said, the fight back in her.
“Talk to your lawyers.”
“We shouldn’t have this conversation right now.” She glanced back at me before looking at her son.
“Why not.”
“I don’t know who this woman is even if she claims to be your wife, but she isn’t a part of this.”
“She is…” Connor walked over to me and took my hand. “Apart of this and my wife.” When he lifted it to press a kiss to my knuckles, it flashed the ring on my finger. I’d gotten so used to it being there, I’d forgotten it was.
“You hate me so much you didn’t invite me to your wedding? I bet Royce was there and he’s not your real father. You prefer him over me, and I gave birth to ye.” That was the first time I’d noticed a slight Irish accent from her.
“And how, Mother, do you know who my father is? You were sleeping with Dad and his best friend.”
Kingdom Fall: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance (Kingdom Come Book 2) Page 12
