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I think that’s why I’ve been touching Shane all morning, ever since he shared his theory with me. The edge of his hand. His pants, which are—shockingly—not part of a suit. His shoe. I need the physical reality of him against me, because it’s the only way I can confirm this is happening.
Shane’s been my husband in name for two weeks now, and it’s starting to feel real. That’s dangerous. It’s flat-out stupid, but it’s also true. Still, my nerves are raw, both from the break-in and Tank’s text messages, which keep repeating in my head.
This is a mistake.
I’m not used to disagreeing with Tank or being at odds with him. I don’t like it. But I have to believe he only feels that way about Shane because he’s angry and jealous.
Danny and Mira come over with breakfast, and at around ten, Nicole and Damien show up. Nicole has a serious case of bedhead and the sour look of someone who doesn’t enjoy mornings. I understand. I see a similar look in the mirror every day.
A few minutes after they arrive, Shane, Danny, Nicole, Damien, and I settle in around the table in Shane’s kitchen. Mira is playing spa with Izzy in her room so we can talk. All of us agree this conversation shouldn’t be for Izzy’s ears.
Once we’re gathered, Shane shares his theory with the private investigators. He believes someone stole Izz’s brush on purpose, because they want to test her hair follicles and verify that she is, unfortunately, Rand’s daughter.
“You know, goddamn it,” Nicole says, thwapping the table. “You fucked up my big reveal. I live for them.”
Damien gives her a fond look and nods. “She really does.”
“So it was him,” Shane says, his hand fisting around the lip of the table like he wants to flip it over.
“No, actually,” Damien says. Sighing, he glances at me. “I found your mother last night.”
Dread crawls over me like a wave of many-footed insects. My gaze shifts to Danny, and I can tell he feels the same way. He has a far-off look in his eyes, like he’s staring into the past and doesn’t like what he sees. I clear my throat. “And…”
“And he pretended to pick her up at a bar,” Nicole says. “He’s very charming.”
I’ll bet. I’m not surprised to hear she was drawn in—or that she was hanging out at a bar despite her protestations that she’s sober.
“She’s been in touch with Rand’s folks,” Damien says. “They reached out to her.”
Anger ignites in my gut, and I’m a lit match of a person. “Why?”
He glances around the table. “Your husband here is right. They wanted to verify whether she’s actually their son’s daughter.”
“After he blew town, he told them someone else knocked you up,” Nicole finishes. “This guy.” She points a thumb at Shane with an amused look on her face.
He squeezes the table again, looking about ready to hop into a car and drive for hours just so he can beat Rand up again. Part of me would like to go with him and take a shot of my own. Then again, of course Rand told his parents that…
They wouldn’t have been okay with him walking away from his own child, from their blood. Especially once they realized he didn’t intend to go make babies with someone more appropriate.
“Well, we always knew Rand was stupid,” Danny says practically, ruffling a hand through his hair. “Stupid people do stupid things.”
“He knew the truth,” I say thinly. “He just didn’t think it made him look good.”
I place a hand on Shane’s arm before nodding to Damien. “Go on.”
Damien clears his throat. “I guess Rand’s mother has noticed a family resemblance, but they knew you weren’t likely to be receptive—”
I snort. “Because she called me a gold-digging whore?”
“Precisely, so they sought out your mother to see if she could help them. They figured she could figure out a way to get to you.”
“They’ll never have access to my daughter,” I say, feeling a shiver work down my back as I remember the things that woman did and said to me.
Shane layers his hand over mine. “No, they damn well won’t,” he promises. “Rand signed those papers. And we’ve caught them in the act, or we will. They’re guilty of plenty of things. Breaking and entering. Theft. Hell, we might even be able to get them on attempted kidnapping.”
I’m grateful for him, again. Grateful that he knows the law and can use it as both defense and weapon.
Damien gives us a second before continuing. “When your mother tried picking Izzy up at school, I’m guessing she intended to bring her to the Callaghans. Or obtain some sort of sample from her.” I hear Danny swearing, but Damien continues, “But it obviously didn’t work out.”
