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I exchanged an incredulous look with Andrew and realized I hadn’t let go of Baker.
Dad stared at Marlow, imploring her.
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
She hadn’t called him that very much since we were kids. He stumbled back a step with the impact of her words.
“I needed a mother,” Marlow said, her voice thick.
“I don’t begrudge you that,” Dad said hoarsely. “But you didn’t have to keep it from me.”
“I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Her fiancé was headed off to war. She was pregnant and alone.”
All eyes snapped to the witch who had given us birth.
“Marlow wasn’t pregnant until they got married,” Dad said with certainty. But Jack’s first deployment was when they were engaged.Holy shit.
“Before Blake,” my mother argued.
“Marlow?” Dad choked out.
“I couldn’t tell you.” She swiped at the tears coming down her cheeks.
“I’m a modern man,” he protested. “Did you think I’d be upset?”
“She miscarried. She needed me.”
Marlow needed our never-there mother?What a joke. My sister needed her real family.How much loss had she been through?
“And you just happened to be there?” I asked with disgust, hating she’d been around to influence my sister when she was most vulnerable.Damn. Marlow had lost my niece or nephew. And then her husband. No wonder she was so angry.
“I’ve always been there. I told you that.”
“I need some air.” Dad pushed off the bar and stumbled in a daze toward the exit.
I started after him, but Baker held me. “Give him a minute.”
“Stay away from my family.” Andrew got up inherface. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but you cannot destroy us.”
“Oh, darling. I can do anything I want to.”
“You’ve done enough.”
We all jolted in surprise to find Dad standing behind us. I guessed he hadn’t said all he’d wanted to.
“I didn’t tell her to come.” My sister was insistent.
“I don’t know if I can trust you, Marlow.” The hurt on his face slayed me. “I’ve got your message loud and clear, Ivette. Now what is it you want?”
She smiled that of an angel. “I told you. To see my son get married.” She turned to me. “And introduce my other son to his father.”
Chapter Forty
Baker
The instinct tograb Holt around his waist was automatic.
