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Chapter One
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“You’re a damn fool going there without any backup.”
Alex Henderson didn’t need or want Bennett Stone’s approval. This trip was his decision to make. “I don’t remember asking your opinion.”
Bennett snorted. Running his hand through his hair he said, “You’re a grown-ass man, and if you want to go out there and get yourself killed, I won’t try to stop you. But I’m marrying your sister. If you do something this stupid, you won’t be the only one to pay the price. Your brothers and Zoey will too.”
“You’re not stopping me,” Alex said firmly.
“I’m not out to stop you. Just want to talk some sense into that thick Henderson skull of yours. Sit down with Brice. Maybe he’ll move the timetable up.”
Alex shot Bennett a look of doubt. Anyone who knew his oldest brother, Brice, would know he didn’t budge once he set his mind to something. Guess that’s a common trait we share.
“I don’t want anyone to know what I’m doing.” Not sure how you found out. Alex didn’t have to ask Bennett if he’d shared the knowledge. If he had, it would’ve been a family intervention instead of just the two of them.
“Lying to your brothers is something I mastered a few years back.”
Alex knew his brothers weren’t the only ones Bennett had lied to. He’d experienced that firsthand. Deceit wasn’t something he tolerated, which was funny because most of his existence was a lie. But that was business. If Bennett’s lack of truth had been for any reason other than to protect Zoey, the family would’ve cut him down in a heartbeat. I still might if you cross me. “Then we have an understanding.”
Arching a brow, Bennett said, “Only if that means you agree not to go alone.”
He was thirty-eight years old, and never had anyone watched his back before. No matter what Bennett might think, Alex wasn’t about to let anyone, even someone highly trained in the art of protection, in on what he was really about to do.
Bennett was right, he was a damn fool for going in like this, but there was no other way. The answers were in Tabiq, and something held Brice back from making the trip himself. He could ask, yet the answer wasn’t going to change anything. The rest of the family might not be interested in finding their mother, but Alex wasn’t going to stop until he did.
“Bennett, you work for my brother. I don’t need you there so you can report back to Brice.”
“It’s not about wanting me along. It’s you needing me to cover your ass. You have no idea what you’re walking into. These people hate the Hendersons.”
Alex stared at him. “Tell me why you should come, and then I’ll decide if you can accompany me.” He knew it was a slim shot that Bennett would actually open up. If he didn’t, he’d get the answers in Tabiq. It was only a matter of time. He could see how reluctant Bennett was to divulge what he knew. “Talk or get out.”
Bennett finally opened his mouth. “You better sit down for this.”
Alex looked at his watch. The jet was fueled and waiting. He didn’t need a lengthy discussion, but if Bennett was going to say anything worthwhile, he wouldn’t miss it. Walking back over to his desk, he pulled out the chair and took a seat.
“What do you know?” Bennett asked.
“You’re talking. I’m listening,” Alex growled.
“You already know where your mother was born. I’m still working on it, but so far, I haven’t had any luck locating your mother or the others. People there are not very forthcoming. It’s going to take time, but we’ll get the answers one way or another.”
Alex raised a brow. “Others?”
Bennett nodded. “This is why Brice is hesitant about going to Tabiq.”
“Nothing will stop me from finding our mother.”
“Mothers.”
“I know how this works. One mother. One father.”
“One father, six mothers.”
Alex wasn’t prepared for that news. It made sense to him as they all had a slight resemblance, but no two of them looked alike. “Are you positive?”
“Yes. I have the DNA proof. Each of your mothers was born and raised in Tabiq.”
