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I’m a dead man.
Mason clears his throat as we approach a red light. When we come to a complete stop, he glances at me and delivers his best assassin face. “You better stay away frommylittle sister,” he warns me. “Because things might get ugly. If they do, I’ll tie you to your drums and beat you with your sticks until you can’t remember your own name. Do we have an understanding, Decker?”
“Ha, that’s the same thing you told him when he started dating Ainsley. I love his memory.” Jacob sits back and relaxes. “Sorry, Matthew, you’re screwed.”
I don’t remember saying anything like that, still, I slap Jacob on the back of his head. Idiot.
“When are you telling Thea about the paternity, Arthur?”
He cranks his neck and gives me that scary glare that keeps me quiet. “None of your business.”
I salute him and keep my mouth shut.
Damn, I think I’d rather have Martin as my father-in-law. From now on I’ll have to sleep with one eye open.
ChapterForty-Three
Thea
Arthur and Mason Bradleystare at me, neither one is talking, and the thick air is choking me. They visited my parents in California.
“They promised never to speak of you or try to sell your stories to the press,” Arthur says, looking across at Mason, who nods.
Arthur lifts his arm, handing me a big envelope. “I didn’t know before. If I had, I swear I would’ve taken care of you.”
My face tightens, and my eyes focus on the envelope. Opening it, I find a picture of a woman with granite-colored eyes who somewhat resembles… me? There are several more pictures and a small white envelope. As I read the contents of two DNA tests, it confirms that the female tested is related by blood to Mason Bradley and Arthur Bradley.
“How?” I whisper, looking at both of them and still not grasping the concept of what these papers might mean.
“You and I…” I don’t know what to say.
“I’m your father,” he almost whispers. “I’m not proud of saying this—but your mother and I had an affair.”
My heart beats faster as I try and reconcile what he’s saying, who I am.
“The band had broken up, so Martin didn’t have any way to cover his indiscretions, and basically, he didn’t care anymore. Your mother was lonely. I was lonely. We maintained a relationship for years until I wanted her to leave Martin. She wouldn’t. We began to fight. She mentioned kids and… She never mentioned you, or I’d have fought to have you with me.”
Mason puts a hand on his shoulder, and Arthur takes another breath.
“The moment I saw you, I just knew that you were mine. You have Jessica’s eyes but my mother’s elegant features. During Thanksgiving, Mason and I did some research about your past before I spoke to you. When you confirmed that you’re Jessica’s kid, I just knew it. There was no doubt in my heart. Later we did the lab test to confirm it.”
I hate my weak stomach. Any difficult news, and I’m puking all over the place. Learning that Martin isn’t my father is stressful yet welcome. I run to the bathroom, and as I bend, a strong hand pats my back while someone holds my hair. Two men just claimed to be related to me.
My father protects people for a living. My brother is just like him, and I don’t know how to feel other than overwhelmed and confused.
I straighten, brush my teeth, and steady myself. “Are you sure?”
“Jessica confirmed it earlier today.” Arthur hands me a towel. “This parental thing is hard, I didn’t do a great job with Mason, but if you give me a chance, I’d like to be a part of your life.”
“He’s a great father.” Mason hands me a glass of water. “And he’s really trying with you. Don’t forget he ate your Tofurkey.”
Mason winks at me. “You’re an unexpected addition, and we both would like to be a part of your life. Let us be a family.”
Family. Jessica denied me a father and a brother. She let Martin… I stop right there, because I won’t think of them today while I’m trying to assimilate this news.
“This is too confusing.” I sip some water. “As you mentioned, Mason, unexpected. I have a complicated load of issues behind me. The offer sounds lovely, but I…” Tears begin to stream down my face. “See, I can’t take being kicked out anymore, and you might choose to do just that when you get to know me better.”
“Family is a forever word.” Mason wipes my tears. “Maybe I’ll piss you off one day, and we’ll fight, but we’ll still be brother and sister. The next day we’ll make up and forget why we fought.”
