AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My parents exchanged a knowing look. My father stood up and kissed me on my cheek. “I’ll let you two catch up.”
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
My mother poured the lemonade and passed me a glass. “You look stressed. I thought you’d be relaxed after your vacation.”
“It wasn’t a vacation.”
Sort of.
“I know, I know. I thought if you got together—”
“We got together, but I don’t think it’s gonna work out.”
“Oh, stop that nonsense right now, Grace. Hunter Silver has loved you since the day he turned eighteen, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you. He came back to keep you safe.”
“Right. He did.”
“But you’re not happy?”
“I am. It’s just that… Did you know he had an accident in Costa Rica?”
“I may have heard something. Was it serious?”
“He was injured, Mom. He can’t have children.”
“Oh… I… I’m sorry. But you know, there are many ways to form a family.”
“Like adoption?” I slouched.
“Where else are those babies supposed to go?”
I lowered my head, feeling like an asshole.“I don’t know. I always thought we’d create our own family. One with his genes and mine.”
My mother took my hands into hers and squeezed hard. She took a deep breath and exhaled in a long whoosh. “Genes are overrated.”
I looked up and connected my gaze with hers. Lines of worry firmed her forehead, and uneasiness swam in her eyes.
“Mom?”
“Grace, I need to tell you something, but I don’t know how.”
I moved to the edge of the chair. “What is it?”
“It’s about Chad and the Hartleys.”
“Chad’s going away to prison.”
“It’s still a long fight to make sure he stays there permanently.”
“Aren’t my brothers working on the case? Why was he after me, anyway?”
My mother released a strangled breath. “Before Jeff Hartley died in the plane accident, he directed his oldest son to carry on his legacy and business.”
“Mafia business.”
“I don’t presume it’s a legal operation. But before his death, Jeff asked Chad to create a pure Hartley race.”
