AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh! Hey, now. So things are going well, are they?” Her eyes gleamed. “Paddy, did you hear that? Conner and that new wife o’ his are gettin’ along well.”
Paddy grunted. “Of course, they are. Never met a Byrne man who couldn’t charm the pants off a woman if they wanted to.”
I gave a dry chuckle. “Funny you should say that. It’s actually the reason I’m here.”
Nana’s wrinkles congregated on her scrunched face. “You need charm lessons?”
“No. I wanted to talk to you about the Byrne men—specifically, about Brody.” All humor faded from my face as worry set in. “I haven’t told anyone yet, but my birth mother came to me a few days ago and told me who my father was.” The words caught in my throat, making it hard to continue.
“Well, now,” Nana breathed. “It suddenly makes sense. You were the spitting image of him as a baby. Never could explain it.”
My lips parted in shock. “Uncle Brody?”
“Aye. His eyes darkened through childhood to a gray-blue, but when he was born, his eyes looked just like yours.” The fondness in her smile wavered with grief. “Such a shame he never knew. Did you hear that, Paddy?” She called over to her husband in a raised voice.
“Never could keep a leash on that one,” he grumbled, making me grin. “Not that it matters. You were one of us regardless.”
Fuck me.
I hadn’t cried since I was six years old and broke my wrist jumping off a skateboard, but a few words from my grandfather, and my sinuses were burning like a motherfucker. He had no idea how much his comment meant to me. Or maybe he did. It was hard to say with him.
I took in a slow, even breath. “I appreciate that, Paddy, and I’m hoping everyone feels that way, but it still worries me to share the truth with everyone. I guess that’s why I’m here. The last thing I want to do is hurt the family, and especially my parents.”
Nana’s eyes softened, the creases in the corners deepening. “Yer a good lad, Conner. Everyone thinks my boys are tough as nails, but my wee little Mirren had them all beat. She’s a tough one, she is. Don’t underestimate her. She and yer da will be thrilled to know they were lucky enough to raise their nephew and call him their own.”
I nodded, hoping she was right. “I suppose the cat’s out of the bag, now. I’ll have to tell everyone before you get to them first.”
The old woman’s flinty eyes narrowed. “You sayin’ I have loose lips, Conner Reid?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I grinned, snagging an orange slice from her brown paper bag. I tossed the candy in my mouth and stood when I heard Paddy mutter, “I would,” and Nana sucked in a lungful of air.
“Well, that would be my cue to head out.”
“Probably best,” Nana grumbled. “I’d hate for ye to see a grown man cry.”
I chuckled, giving her and my grandfather hugs before letting myself out. I didn’t make it to the car when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
“Yeah,” I said after seeing Keir was calling.
“Everything’s been set up. It’s time.”
The blood in my veins chilled so fast that a gallon of anti-freeze wouldn’t have kept them from icing over.
“On my way.” I despised what I was about to do, but we’d discussed the options and decided it was the best way to cut the head off this particular snake. I just hoped we didn’t get bit in the process.
That wasthe last of it. I’d unboxed my things and found new homes for everything. I still felt a little strange filling someone else’s house with my things, but the apartment felt more like mine each day. Conner had even offered to bring in a decorator if I wanted to make any changes to the place. I didn’t think that was necessary, but I appreciated the offer. I was still considering converting one of the guest bedrooms into my own personal space. A place to read or do yoga that was all my own.
I was standing in the doorway, trying to envision the options when my phone began to ring. Like an idiot, my face split in a goofy grin when I saw Conner’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered warmly.
“Hey, I wanted to let you know it’s happening.” His unexpectedly severe tone had me instantly on alert.
“What does that mean?” I knew he was talking about my father, but I needed more information.
“It means the Donatis looked deeper into your mom’s death and agreed that your father was behind it. We’ll meet with them and ensure your father can never hurt you or anyone else again.”
A tidal wave of relief rippled from my head to my toes.
