They hadn't talked about Dr. Adam's revelations regarding Nick's blood type on the day of the accident. In part, Cali didn't have a clue what she could say that would make it better, but it was more than that. Like Nick, she just wanted to forget the terrible words. For both Nick and Andi's sake, she just wanted to sweep the whole revelation under the rug. After all, Roni was dead. No one else ever needed to know but Nick and Cali that Nick was not Andi's biological father.
"What the hell are you saying? Babies don't just fall out of the sky." Nick had stepped outside the hospital into the spring sunshine that was a lot brighter than he felt. He should be enjoying the good news of Andi's improved condition, not getting more bad news.
"Listen, I'm just telling you what I've found so far. I tried to tell you yesterday that you'd better be sure you wanted to open up this particular can of worms because there is no telling what you're gonna find. You already know your wife lied to you about a lot of important things in your marriage. Is this really such a surprise to you?"
"Yes, dammit. When she showed up with the baby she had gained a lot of weight, like she had just given birth. She made a big deal about how upset she was when she had to quit breast-feeding because Andrea wasn't getting enough nutrients according to the pediatrician. We didn't have sex for like three months until her OBGYN gave her the green light to start again after the baby was born."
"Did you actually see the baby breast feeding?"
He racked his brains. Blackburn had to be wrong. "Fuck, no."
"Did you go to the OBGYN with her for her checkups?"
"No."
"Did you ever notice any stretch marks on her? My ex-wife is full of them."
"Dammit. I swear to God, I wish I could bring her back to life just so I could kill her with my bare hands."
"I understand, but that isn't going to help."
Nick had only just begun to get his mind wrapped around the fact that Veronica had deceived him about being Andi's father. There had been a small part of him that held out hope it was just a big mistake or at the least, that she too had believed Andi was his since they looked so much alike. Now, to find out that Veronica herself had never given birth to a baby, put a nail in her coffin. His PI had received a copy of the autopsy report and that, combined with other medical records, had confirmed Andrea was not the biological daughter of either Nick or Roni. But where the hell had she come from and more importantly, how long until some stranger showed up on his doorstep wanting to steal his only daughter away from him?
"Let me keep digging. The trail isn't cold yet. I just wanted to fill you in with the newest information. I'm glad to hear Andrea is awake. Let me worry about this shit. You go back in and take care of your daughter. And Nick?... She is your daughter in every way that counts."
The private investigator hung up the phone without saying goodbye. It was just as well. Nick had no words for this situation. He sat on a bench in the small garden just outside the hospital entrance trying to sort through the rush of emotions the most recent news evoked. He was lost in thought and missed Calista coming out looking for him until she took a seat next to him. They sat in silence for several minutes, watching people coming and going out of the building.
Cali broke the awkward silence. "When are you going to tell me what's going on, Nick?"
He couldn't bear the thought of telling anyone, not even Calista, what he knew. He couldn't risk it. "Nothing is going on."
"Really? Seriously, if you don't want to talk to me about it, do me a favor and just say so, but don't lie to me. I expected Kevin to lie to me, but not you." He hated the pain in her voice, especially knowing he was responsible for it.
"I'm sorry, Cali. You're right. I don't want to hurt you, but I have a lot of shit on my plate right now."
He wasn't prepared for her anger as she turned on the bench to look at him. "And I don't? I thought we were in this together. I thought we were becoming a team."
Nick's heart rate was spiking. He didn't want to lose Cali, but he didn't have time to balance a new relationship right now when his life was literally falling apart. "We are a team, but there are still a few things I'm gonna have to deal with on my own."
"Let me in. I know this is about what the doctor told you. We haven't talked about it, but now that Andi is awake, I think we should."
"There's nothing to talk about. He was mistaken. Andrea is my daughter in every sense of the word. Period."
He heard her emotional sigh. "Of course she is. Still, you must be a bit freaked out. Talk to me."
"There is nothing to talk about."
Her emotions turned to anger as she sprang to her feet. "There you go lying to me again. I can't believe I thought you were different, but you're not. I've got a newsflash for you. Your daughter just woke up from a coma and instead of sitting in there talking to her... comforting her, you're sneaking outside to take yet another private call. You don't want to level with me? That's fine. I'll leave. But you need to get your ass back in there and sit with her. She's afraid and she's asking for her daddy."
Calista had turned and was already ten feet away when he came to his senses. "Calista, don't go! Please."
She stopped, but she didn't turn around. Nick pushed to his feet to go to her. Cali refused to turn and look at him so he hugged her from behind, holding onto her as if to prevent her from leaving. He didn't want to lose Cali. Not over this... not ever. But could he trust her enough to tell her the truth? She already knew enough information to compromise him should word ever get out. Should he trust her with more?
He was glad he couldn't see her eyes. "I've hired a private detective. I need to know the truth. I need to know how to protect myself and Andrea from having someone show up in our lives trying to take her away from me. I can survive losing Roni, but I know for a fact I wouldn't survive losing Andi. She's a part of me, whether she has my blood or not doesn't matter. She's my little girl. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Cali turned in his arms, hugging his waist as she looked up into his brown eyes. He was relieved to see her anger had dissipated. "I understand perfectly, Nick. Your secret is safe with me. I would never do anything to endanger you or Andrea."
He knew she spoke the truth. It helped him tell her everything. "The PI I hired has uncovered that not only am I not Andrea's biological father, but... Veronica never gave birth."
Cali looked as confused as he felt. "But... how?"
"Who the hell knows? I feel like a complete idiot. I mean how the hell could she have lied about something like this and I never figured it out?"
"She was a good actress. And this at least explains a few things."
"Like what?"
"Like why she and Andi never really bonded. You told me she would never win a mother-of-the-year award, but maybe it was deeper. I don't think she ever wanted to be a mother. Not really. I think Andi was just a way to trap you into marrying her. Didn't you say you had broken up with her before she showed up with the baby?"
"Fuck. You're right. In fact, the more I think about it, I bet that's why it was getting worse these last few years. The older Andi got, the more jealous Roni became of the time I'd spend with her."
"I bet it killed her to see you loving Andi so much, knowing the truth and never being able to tell you."
"I hope she is rotting in hell."
"I agree, and I understand you want to know the truth so you can protect yourself and Andrea, but please. Don't let it consume you or distract you from what's important. If no one has come looking for her by now, chances are very good they never will. You have to have faith."
In that moment, Nick knew how very lucky he was to have Cali in his life. He felt one hundred times better than he had even fifteen minutes before. "Let's go see my daughter, shall we?"
Chapter Eight
"All right, young lady. Let's get you in the house and up to your bed." Cali was as relieved as Nick was to be getting Andrea home from the hospital. It had been a long week of recovery since she'd com
e out of the coma, but they had finally received the green light from Dr. Adams to bring her home. It would still be another week before she could even think about going back to school. Cali had used her connections with her father-in-law to pressure the firm into giving Nick an extended leave of absence to take care of his daughter.
Andrea had other ideas about her recovery. "But Dad, can't I lay down on the couch in the living room so I can watch movies with you and Cali?"
"Maybe tomorrow I'll carry you down, but today you're going right to bed."
"I've been in bed for over a week!"
"And you'll be in bed for another week if that's what it takes to get you back to healthy. You heard Dr. Adams. We need to limit your TV and no video games."
They were just coming into the house through the garage. Nick scooped Andi up into his arms as she squealed with delight.
Cali called after them as they headed up the stairs. "I'm going to start some supper."
Andi called back down to her. "I want pizza!"
Calista could hear Nick telling her she was going to eating soup and crackers. Her heart contracted with love as she listened to their playful banter. At times like this, she almost couldn't believe how happy she was with her new life. As horrific as the accidents had been, there was no denying they had brought Nick and Cali to better places in their lives. She'd send Kevin and Roni thank you notes if she could.
Nick hadn't come down from Andi's room yet when the doorbell rang. Cali dried her hands and went to answer it. When she opened the door, she found a man she had never seen before. Alarm bells started going off. They still hadn't gotten any more details on Andrea's paternity testing and it was the one thing hanging out there that threatened to ruin their new lives together.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Nicholas Mikos."
"May I ask who's calling?"
The visitor hesitated long enough that Nick was half way down the stairs. "Did I hear the doorbell?"
Cali stepped back and opened the door wider so Nick could see their visitor as she answered. "Yes, I was just trying to understand how I might help this gentleman."
"Blackburn. What are you doing here? I was expecting you to call earlier."
"I decided I needed to see you in person. Can I come in?"
The look on Nick's face told Cali all she needed to know. This was the private investigator and he was here with more news. For a minute, she wondered if Nick was going to turn him away. He didn't.
"Come on in. Cali was just making some soup and sandwiches. Would you like some coffee or a beer?"
The man named Blackburn came in and followed Nick to the back of the house while Cali closed the door. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to follow them or not. Nick sensed her dilemma and turned to hold out his hand. "Coming, baby?"
Relief flowed through her. He was letting her in on one of the most private conversations he might ever have in his life. A conversation that could determine how much danger he was in of losing his daughter.
When they got to the kitchen, Cali went back to fixing dinner, trying not to hover over the men, although it was clear she would hear everything that was discussed.
Blackburn didn't beat around the bush. He and Nick were only seated at the kitchen island for a few seconds before he asked an uncomfortable question.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to your office or somewhere more private for this conversation?"
Cali couldn't resist turning around. Nick looked at her with a loving smile before answering. "I'm sure. Cali knows everything. I trust her."
"Okay. Good enough for me." Blackburn launched into the reason for the visit. "So how much do you know about Veronica's work history between college and showing up with the baby?"
Nick replied, "She had started out in nursing which was a joke considering she hated the sight of blood. She switched her degree over to healthcare administration. I know she had a couple of different jobs working in doctor's offices when we were dating and then I think she got a position in admissions at some hospital at one point right before we broke up."
"Exactly. I'm almost certain that's where she had access to infants."
Nick jumped up to his feet. "Jesus Christ. Are you telling me she stole a baby? She was a conniving bitch, but I don't believe she would outright steal someone's baby."
"Sit down. Let me finish." Once Nick had sat, Blackburn continued. "There were no babies reported stolen or missing from Baltimore Memorial during the time she worked there, but I did some digging into all of the births during the three month period around Andi's birthday just the same, trying to track down where all of those babies were today and I did find a couple of interesting things."
Cali had just turned to start dinner when she heard Baltimore Memorial. Her pulse picked up at just the mention of a place that had brought her so much pain in her youth. Unwanted memories of a year that had changed her life forever invaded. She had fought so hard to forgive and forget, but in the end, her family had fallen apart forever in that damn hospital.
She hadn't been paying attention for a while, so when she started listening again, she had trouble following the conversation. Blackburn seemed to be going through a list of names. "Not only was the guy I talked to at the address on the admissions record acting funny, but that was the only name on the list that was definitely of Greek heritage. You sent me Andrea's picture and it's clear to me that was how Veronica was so successful in her ruse. Andrea looks so much like you and I'm guessing her parents were Greek as well. As you know, there is a large Greektown in Baltimore. I'm heading back down there tomorrow to take another crack at the guy in person this time to see if I can find out more."
Cali's heart was pounding so hard her ears were ringing. The room had started to spin and she vaguely heard Nick cautioning Blackburn to be careful. The last thing they needed was to get someone suspicious of why they were asking questions.
Cali blurted the question, interrupting the men. "When is Andi's birthday? I know it was recently."
Nick looked confused as to why she was interrupting with a stray question, yet he answered. "February."
Her breaths were becoming shorter. It couldn't be? They wouldn't have done that to her? "When in February?"
"Why?"
"Nick, just tell me. What day is her birthday?" She didn't mean to shout at him.
"Valentine's Day. She was born on Valentine's Day in 2007."
"Holy fuck." Cali almost collapsed. Nick jumped up to rush to her, catching her in time and helping her to sit at an open stool at the island.
"Calista. You're scaring me. What's wrong, baby?"
"It's not possible. Every single year... they knew how broken hearted I was. They wouldn't have..."
"You're not making sense."
Cali knew the next question she needed to ask. It came out as a whisper. "Who are you going to see tomorrow in Baltimore?"
Blackburn looked down at the open file on the counter before looking up with his answer. "George Petros."
She heard the howl of pain. It took her a few seconds to realize it was coming from her. She sensed Nick holding her up from falling. She could see the worry etched on his face. It was the last thing she saw before she fainted into his arms.
Something was terribly wrong. Nick just couldn't figure out what it was. After Cali fainted, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the living room couch to lay her down.
"Blackburn, will you wet a couple paper towels with some cold water and bring them over?"
The PI didn't answer, but Nick could see him moving into action in the kitchen.
He looked down on Calista's pale face, not understanding what had happened that upset her. He replayed the conversation they'd been having over in his head and came up with no answers.
He placed a pillow under her head and propped up her feet. When the cold compresses arrived, he started wiping her face until she started coming around. She awoke in the same panic she had fainted in. Her eyes
looked frantic and it cut him.
"Shhh. Calista, you're safe. Take a few deep breaths, baby." Blackburn pushed a glass of cold water into his hand and Nick lifted it to her lips and helped her to take a few sips.
Her panic wasn't receding. "You have to believe me, Nick. I swear to you. I'm not like Veronica. They lied to me too. I didn't know."
"Slow down, Cali. I know you are nothing like Veronica. Now who lied to you?"
Her answer was in the form of an anguished cry. "My parents."
She hadn't wanted to talk about her family with him. All Nick knew was her mom had died when she was in college and she was estranged from her dad. She was an only child.
"What did they lie about?"
Nick was confused. She shook her head as if she was afraid to answer. Blackburn stepped up closer to peer down on them from above as he pushed her for answers. "What did they lie about, Calista?"
She looked between the men frantically. "Why did they do this to me? Year after year they watched me go to her grave and put flowers there. The whole time they knew where she was. They let it tear us apart and didn't stop it."
"Cali, you're not making sense." Nick was more confused than ever, but Blackburn seemed to be catching on.
"What was your maiden name, Ms. Bennett?"
Cali didn't answer. She was falling apart before their eyes. "All this time. I lost so much time." She looked like she was going into shock to Nick. He played Blackburn's last question over in his mind. Why would he be asking for her maiden name?
"Daddy. What's wrong with Cali?" Nick looked over the back of the couch to see Andi in her pajamas. She couldn't be here.
"You aren't supposed to be out of bed, Andi. Go on. Up to bed. I'll bring your dinner to you soon."
Twist (A BDSM & Romantic Erotica Boxed Set) Page 36
