Secret Dad

by Victoria Pinder

  She flipped her pony tail in the air as she turned and pointed to an exercise room. "I was going to work out. Brandon’s new nanny is nice and you trust her?"

  "She passed a thorough investigation. I have to go next door to Mr. Morgan's house." Brandon and Liz were safe so long as they stayed inside. "It shouldn't take long, but your brother wanted an update on new information."

  She stopped and her sneakers squeaked on the tile. "Peter? My brother? He wants you to call him by his first name."

  "I'm working on that." He clenched his jaw but then relaxed. Perhaps it was time to stop and let go of the past. He walked closer to her.

  "From what I can tell Peter is not like my father." She brushed against his arm. A warmness rushed through him from her slight touch. "All of us want to break free from the House of Morgan. Has my brother ever called you anything degrading?"

  "No. Peter has never called me the housekeeper’s son if that's what you mean." He stepped out of her reach and her hand fell to her side. Now was not the time to get sidetracked with how to talk to Liz. He continued on the topic of Peter. "It was his father's influence everyone feared. Either way, I have small news about Belle I have to share."

  "Wait." She stepped forward and grabbed his arm. Then she quickly let go as if the touch burned. "I want to go too. Give me one minute to change. I'll meet you by the door."

  Alone time with Liz wasn't good until he figured out what he'd say. "Stay with Brandon."

  She shook her head as she took a step to go around him and head down the hall to her room. "We'll take him, and his nanny and Ashley, if you want. I know my mom is staying there, but I want to be there if Peter needs me."

  “Nothing that dramatic. We haven't found the body or anything." Liz smelled of vanilla and promises he'd heard other men whisper about as the best thing in life. "I am searching for an eye witness that the coast guard didn't have on their report. I'll figure out who it was tonight."

  “Eye witness is good.” She sighed then she shrugged. "Still. He loves Belle and he's been so sad since the crash. I know what it’s like searching and waiting and hoping."

  He let Elizabeth go to her room as he went to the nanny to give her a few minutes to meet them. His heart pounded the moment Liz returned to the living room, though he kept his feelings to himself.

  Another memory of her kiss rocked his body and he couldn't look at her. Luckily the nanny, therapist, and Brandon came to join them and he opened the door to lead them out.

  A few minutes later, they followed the small pathway on the Intracoastal to the mansion next door. The palm trees rustled in the tropical wind as his body longed to hold Elizabeth in his arms. He kept his hands to his sides as they walked together.

  Once they made it to the House of Morgan's mansion, Rafe went to knock on the patio door, but Elizabeth opened it and walked right in. She called out, "Mom? Peter? We're here."

  Nobody showed up. His mother would be upset at the lack of service. Liz directed the nanny and Ashley, as Jennifer strolled into the living area in her bathrobe. She smiled and kissed his cheek.

  Rafe saw Elizabeth's lips purse but she stayed silent. He stopped his instinct to greet her with a kiss to her cheek because Liz had accused him of loving Jennifer. Their culture mattered less in this moment than Liz. Jen stared at him like he was insane when he didn’t return her hello, but said instead, "Jennifer, how are you and why are you in a bathrobe?"

  "I was just in the pool and stepped out of the shower."

  "Why were you in Peter’s pool?"

  "I came to check on him. He's very sad. I said I'd stay and cheer him up. He had to work, so I took a morning swim.” She slinked further away from Brandon though he noticed how she flinched at the sight of him.

  Rafe crossed his arms. Jen shouldn't use his son to lie to Peter. He swallowed but then Liz stepped between their son and Jen. "And my mother? Brandon will want to see her."

  Jennifer pointed further east. "Both of your mothers are on the veranda."

  Liz handed Brandon to Elle and spoke to Ashley, "Can you take him over? We'll join you shortly."

  The nanny nodded her head and held their boy. "Yes, ma'am."

  A moment later they were out of sight.

  Jennifer bounced up and down with a huge smile on her face. "Before I take you to Peter’s office, Rafe, I have news."

  Rafe narrowed his gaze. An excited Jennifer meant trouble. "What?"

  She practically jumped as if she’d won the lottery. "Peter and I are getting married."

  "What!" Liz's voice echoed in the room.

  Jen turned toward Liz and tilted her head, clearly trying to assess how Elizabeth's opinion fit in with her plan. "We're getting married."

  "You said that, Jen. I don't know how that will happen."

  Liz paled, but her eyes glazed with anger. He placed his hand on the small of her back and whispered so only she could hear him. "Liz, Jen likes to say what she wants as facts. It's a manipulation tactic. Let’s go to Peter’s office.”

  "Okay,” she whispered back. “I'm worried." In a louder voice she looked at Jennifer. "Rafe just reminded me about Brandon's therapist appointment and how we can’t stay long."

  “Too bad. I’m sure we should find girl time and get to know each other.” Jen pouted but didn't say anything else. He held his breath. Her pout usually was a sign that she was about to say something rude, and Liz deserved better.

  Liz led the walk toward Peter’s office. Peter typed on his laptop and then glanced up when they entered. Liz then said, "Peter, Rafe wants to talk to you about Belle."

  Peter stood from his desk the second he saw Rafe. The once arrogant, self-assured billionaire was now scruffy and his gaze seemed hollow. "Belle? Have you found her body?"

  "No." If Rafe offered a false hope, he'd crush Jen's wedding to her dream guy. He prayed she hadn't lied about being pregnant. "I do have news."

  Peter lifted his head. "Could she be alive?"

  If he said yes, then Jen's lie wouldn't matter. He wasn't sure she had though, but Peter Morgan's once-proud stance had melted to slumped shoulders. Rafe tugged at his collar. "I don't know. I do know that there was a yacht at the crash site and I'm running a search now to find out who owns that ship. I should know soon."

  Hope shone in his eyes. "So it's possible she survived."

  "Peter..." Jen took Peter's hand in hers. "I don't want you to get your hopes up."

  "Jennifer." Peter dropped her hand and widened his stance. "Rafe, can we speak alone for a minute?"

  "Of course." Rafe and Liz’s gazes met and he knew he could count on her. Liz and Jennifer left. Peter closed the door as Rafe glanced at the brown leather seats near his mahogany executive desk.

  Peter fell into one of the beige arm chairs and pointed to the one opposite him. Rafe sat with his hands in a giant ball in the middle of his knees. He had to figure out what to say to Peter. Peter however took the lead and let his head drop again. "Jennifer's pregnant."

  Rafe stilled. Jen had told her lie. His voice had a crack in it. "She told you that?"

  "Yes."

  How did he tell Peter without betraying Jen? If he didn't say anything, was he betraying Liz? His heart pounded with the conflicting questions. "Are you sure?"

  "Why would she lie?" Peter massaged his forehead. "I don't remember much about my party other than drinking, heavily, to forget where I was. I woke up alone. Even now, I want to forget everything so I can find a way to breathe. If Belle is alive, then she's my wife and she'll never forgive me."

  "Let’s find her first? I’m sure there is nothing to forgive." Now he had to tell Peter the truth. Jen shouldn't lie about being pregnant just to get into a man's wallet.

  Peter sat straighter and his voice grew softer. "I want you to find what happened to her, even if it's just her body. I love her."

  The way his voice hooked on his last syllables, Rafe swallowed his own pride. He leaned forward. "Peter..."

  "Finally." Peter Morgan offered a small
smile as he met his gaze.

  Rafe rubbed the back of his head. "Finally what?"

  "You said my name."

  Jen's shadow was behind the door. Her heavy perfume wafted around him. Rafe had to convince her to tell the truth. It was the only way she'd save face. He believed she wasn't a horrible person, but she had to fix this. Rafe jumped out of his seat. "Peter, I will find out what I can and let you know soon. Once I get word from the ship owner, I'll have more news."

  Peter stood as well, his gaze toward the perfumed shadows. "I cannot get my hopes up. I want my wife back, even if she tells me she hates me for what happened with Jennifer."

  "Jennifer, as you know because she dated us both, has a dramatic flair. Let's find out if she's really pregnant before you sign anything." Rafe intended to put a timeline on this. If Jennifer didn’t tell the truth, he would. She had less than twenty-four hours to tell the truth or he'd enlist Elizabeth's help to ensure Peter knew the truth. Vows should be sacred.

  "You're right. I've been living in a fog and not caring what happens to me. Jennifer's child deserves the privileges of being my heir, no matter what happens to me. I just miss my wife."

  The lie was ill-timed. Peter Morgan was clearly broken, Jen had one chance to straighten out her lie. This had gone too far already. He'd not be able to look the man in the eye without the truth being told. If he went along with the lie Liz would hate him.

  Elizabeth's voice echoed as she spoke with Jennifer just outside the door. Rafe went to the door, but before he opened it he said, "Can I ask you a question?"

  Peter held his elbow. "What?"

  Elizabeth cared about her family. Peter had offered him the olive branch many times. He squared his shoulders; Jennifer had announced that Peter was going to marry her. "Are you planning on marrying Jennifer, if she is pregnant?"

  "No."

  "That's what I thought. Let me get to the bottom of Jen's pregnancy."

  "I hate thinking I cheated and I don't even remember."

  Rafe’s fingers tightened on the knob. "I should go, but if you need to grab a beer later, come over."

  Peter followed behind him toward the hall. "Thanks."

  A moment later, Liz went to her brother and Jennifer stood beside him. Now was the perfect moment to talk to Jen and straighten everything out.

  Chapter 16

  Rafe opened Peter’s office door where Elizabeth and Jen waited in the hall. "Are you done in here?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Yes," Rafe said. Her voice resonated in his heart. He'd have to ensure that she wasn't caught up in any of Jennifer's lies. His hand brushed against Liz's arm and a spark rushed through him. Then he stepped away and let the ember be enough to warm him. "Jen, can I speak to you for a moment?"

  She tried to sidestep him in a rush to get to Peter inside the office. "We don't have to, Rafe. What you talked about with Peter should be up to him to tell me."

  He placed his hand on her arm to stop her from bolting. "That's not what we have to discuss, Jen."

  Their gazes met, and he could tell Jen was scared. That look usually meant she knew he’d caught her. "Rafe, we don't have the time. Peter and I must get ready for a luncheon with his board members."

  "That's in a few hours, and I can handle my board members without help," Peter said.

  "I want to help you."

  Without one glance at Jennifer, Peter placed his hand on Liz's shoulder to keep her at his side. "Go. I would like to talk to my sister for a few minutes."

  Elizabeth's lips were tight with anger but Rafe couldn’t explain just yet. He nodded at Liz but she turned and looked up at Peter.

  Jennifer then said in a deceptively mild tone, "Oh. Sure. Rafe, join me in the east wing sitting room."

  She had one chance to straighten this out. He'd not be part of her lie. As she swung open the door for him, he bowed to mock her backside. "Yes, princess."

  She turned with her hand on her hip though the white terry cloth of her towel and her damp, loose hair made her seem human instead of the glamorous television star. "Stop."

  "You might want to close the door." He pointed toward the open door of the billiard room. The room was made for discussion and playing. Neither one of them picked up a rack or a cue stick. Instead he pointed toward the bar stools and the empty bar. If she wanted everyone to hear then, she'd have no chance to fix this mess.

  She held her head high, like she was the wronged woman on one of her shows. "What if I want people to hear us?"

  He shrugged and sat down in one of the posh blue high chairs that reflected in the polished marble floors. "Either you tell Peter or I will."

  She slammed the door with a bang and then crossed her arms. With her bottom lip out, she pursed them like she was about to whine. "Don't be jealous Rafe."

  "Believe me, I'm not." He crossed his legs as he met her gaze. Elizabeth cared about her family, and if he wanted good relations for Brandon then he had to be honest. Besides, honesty was the most important thing and Jen had too much good in her life to throw it all away like this. "I want what's best for you."

  She slumped into the seat across from him and massaged her forehead. "Then why would you tell on me?"

  "It's wrong to lie to a man about a baby." Jen clearly didn't have a handle on this. He leaned forward. "He'll figure it out in nine months."

  She flipped her hair behind her head and pushed her chest out, like she was bored. Rafe wasn't fooled. He knew she lashed out when she was petrified and right now she was wearing emotional armor. "Not at all. I have a plan."

  He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Oh God."

  The moment he opened his eyes and met her gaze, she sprung her news. "I have an appointment on Friday for a sperm bank. Peter will never know."

  The blood drained from his face. He couldn't even flinch. Jen clearly went too far. "Is it his sperm?"

  "No, but it's close enough." She twisted in her chair like she had more to say but held her tongue as if waiting for his reaction.

  He scooted closer to her and brushed his hand on hers. Her familiar perfume didn't thrill him, but she reminded him of childhood. She’d turned to him when wounded and he’d always helped her. He lowered his voice. "He'll know."

  "He won't." Her voice hit a high note and then she swallowed. A moment later she whispered, "I'm using his father's sperm that was left there."

  This was too much. He stilled in his seat, and half of him refused to listen to another syllable. After a moment he asked, "How do you even know that exists?"

  Jen stood and stared out the window. She didn’t look at him as she hugged her waist. "It came up in conversation when his father was alive, and Peter and I were seeing each other."

  He stood and followed her to the window. The woman in the glass reflection was the same lost girl he’d found in the park years ago. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Jen, your mother was wrong about you. You don't have to do this. You don't have to marry a rich man to be successful in life."

  She turned her head to look at him and then let out a sigh. "I like money, Rafe. I refuse to go backwards."

  Her own past shadowed her future. He kept his voice low. "No one is going to exploit you if you say no. You have a good, well-paying job on your show where you're becoming the star."

  "I can't make the Morgan kind of money. No one can." Her eyes became watery. "I can't and I won't stop. Peter loves me."

  The truth was hard for Jen, who prided herself on her beauty and her ability to get whatever she wanted. "Peter loved Belle. If he loved you, he'd have chosen you when he had the chance."

  She turned her head and gazed at the Intracoastal. "Belle's dead. None of that matters anymore."

  "So you're willing to be second choice?" He stepped beside her. Jen needed to be stronger and this wasn't her path. She could do better.

  She sniffled and then she clenched her hands against her breasts. "I'm willing to do what I have to. I will win."

  "Win what? This isn't war." He stared at the water. L
iz had told him he was a father within minutes of seeing her for the first time, but then she hadn't needed coaxing to do the right thing. He swallowed. "You don't have to do anything. Lying to a man about fathering a child crosses the line."

  She clenched her jaw, but she still hugged her stomach. "Don't be an idiot. It's for Peter's own good. His father worried he'd never father an heir without me pushing him."

  There was no way she truly wanted do to this. Once again she'd been pushed and Jennifer never had a backbone when it came to herself. She should have better self-esteem. "Jen, Mitch caused every one of his children pain. Don't have Peter revert to the man he was before he had Belle and his family. I know I couldn't stand it if Liz hid Brandon from me."

  "Liz hid Brandon from you?" Her eyes widened as her hands fell to her sides. "Are you that boy's father, Rafe?"

  His face felt hot. He had promised not to say anything and had asked her not to tell anyone. He stepped away. "I misspoke."

  "You don't misspeak. I know you and you must be." She took a deep breath and smiled at him. "Does Peter know you’re the father, Rafe?"

  His gaze narrowed. Jen always went for what seemed like an advantage. "Not yet."

  She tilted her head toward him, like they were allies. "Good. Then I'll keep your secret and you keep mine."

  There was no way he'd ever lie about this, though he was honoring Liz’s request for time. He shook his head. Liz would forgive him if he explained to Peter and their parents. Matthew already knew. "That's not how this works. I'll tell Peter I'm Brandon's father right now."

  Her hand went on her hip. "No you won't."

  Too far. His skin felt like he walked on flames, and Jen needed to grow up. Without another word, he walked to the door and intended to leave. "You have this evening to tell him you're not pregnant, Jen. I'm giving you a chance to set things right for yourself because I care about you."

  She called out as the door swung. "Rafe, don't."

  "Don't what, Jennifer?" Peter's voice echoed from the hall as he and Liz turned the corner.

  Liz's blonde hair and blue eyes shone like she was an angel. Rafe met Liz's gaze. She'd have to forgive him for what he was about to do.