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A chorus of “fucks” rang out through the room, along with several gasps, but I didn’t dare take my attention off the woman in my arms. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what was playing through her mind. The blackmail almost paled in comparison to the lies she’d been fed her entire life.
“She’s your sister?” Quin’s voice shook as she spoke.
“Half sister.”
“Po-tay-to, po-tah-to, Mother,” she quipped.
“Baby, give her a chance to explain everything.”
“You knew?” Twisting her head to look at me, her eyes widened with alarm.
“No. I only found out this afternoon.”
“Thank God.” She leaned back into my chest.
“Everything your father and I told you was the truth. We only left out the part about Stacy and I being related because it didn’t make any difference.”
“If you don’t mind, Mrs. James,” Gabe cut in. “Why don’t you tell us exactly how you ended up adopting Quin. There are some files Alec got from Caleb Matthews which don’t make a lot of sense, but I’m guessing you’ll be able to shed some light on those.”
She went on to explain how Caleb’s father and chief of police at the time, Gene Matthews, found Quin in a warehouse, wrapped in a threadbare blanket, cold and hungry. This much I already knew. What we didn’t know was Gene threatened Stacy and Carl with serious jail time for child abuse and a whole slew of other charges if they didn’t sign over their parental rights. When they refused to go to rehab––something Millie had apparently begged Stacy to do for years––Gene withheld the money they were promised. Making a terrible situation even worse, he had evidence against the two of them in three separate burglaries, which he promised to keep to himself so long as they cooperated and left the Jameses alone.
“Now it makes sense,” Quin muttered.
“What does, baby?”
“The note Mom found on my car.”
Shifting her to sit sideways across my thighs, I placed my hand on her cheek and turned her head toward me.
“What note? When did this happen?”
“Relax, Hot Shot. It was weeks ago, but the note said ‘Will he still want you once he knows the truth?’ I’d assumed they were high when they wrote it, but maybe they thought I knew everything already.”
“They’re dangerous, Quinny. I don’t have any proof; however, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were somehow involved in Gene’s death.”
“Caleb’s dad was killed during a hostage situation gone bad, Mrs. James,” Gabe offered.
“Yes, I’m aware. But did you know the whole thing went down during a drug raid at a major supply house? Like I said, I have no proof, just a bad feeling.”
It wasn’t likely we’d be able to connect any dots to a decade old homicide, though her theory was intriguing.
Quin remained curled up in my lap, lost in her head. I was beginning to worry the revelation had been too much for her to handle when she finally spoke.
“So you’re my aunt?”
Millie flinched, then swallowed roughly.
“Biologically, yes.”
“Okay,” she whispered. Lifting her head, she turned those emerald eyes to me. They glistened with unshed tears and my heart cracked at the sight. “Can we stay at your apartment tonight?”
“Whatever you need, baby.”
She mouthed, “Thank you,” as she fought to control the swarm of emotions I could plainly see flitting across her face. Anger. Pain. The worst, though, was betrayal. I’d help her through every step of the way; however she needed me. She was loved beyond measure and I’d make certain she felt it. We all would.
Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths before flicking her gaze back to the woman who’d raised her.
“I need time to process.”
