AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Our father’s brother,” I amended.
“AKA our uncle. Uncle Paddy.”
I was a smart man, some would say I was a financial wizard, but the simplicity of that statement had me shaking my head as I tried to process what he was saying.
It was simple. So simple. But nothing about my family ties were simple.
“Our uncle,” I repeated blankly. “Padraig is Jen’s father?”
“Yeah. She told me that, and I thought she was insane. So I had some of her DNA snagged, shipped it off, and got the confirmation. She’s an O’Donnelly.”
“Jesus fuck.”
“Pretty much.”
I let that roll around in my head before I asked, “What does that have to do with Jen and Savannah?”
“Apparently Savannah…” He heaved another sigh. “I swear, this is starting to feel like we’re back in high school.”
I had to laugh. “Been a long time since we were back there, Aidan.”
“True. I’m feeling every single fucking one of my years.”
“Jen does that to a man.” I smirked. “Actually, it’s fitting that she’s an O’Donnelly. Only O’Donnellys are this annoying and manage to survive past eighteen.”
His tone turned dark. “Savannah was looking into the O’Donnellys a couple years back. She uncovered a link between Padraig and Jen, went after Jen to get some DNA to confirm things, and inadvertently befriended her.”
“So Jen’s upset about how they met?”
“Yes.”
“How did she find out?”
“Savannah told her.”
“Well, that was fucking dumb.”
“Yeah. She ain’t been around us lying fuckers for long enough to realize that you don’t call your own bluff.”
“Apparently,” I retorted—our secrets defined us, after all.
But then I thought about the last time I’d seen Aoife and Jen after dinner on New Year’s Day.
Whispers and curse words when they thought I wasn’t listening.
Secrets…
I was used to the pair of them gossiping, but that had definitely felt more different than usual.
“So, do you have an in with Jen? I’ve tried talking to her but no dice.”
“I have the biggest in. Aoife. But she’s on Jen’s side.” Rubbing my chin at the thought, I murmured, “Leave it with me, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Fuck, thanks, Finn. I appreciate that. I hate seeing Savannah so hurt.”
My lips curved. “That’s when you know you love them.”
“When their hurt is your hurt?”
