Unexpected

by C. M. Steele

  “So…you do remember her?” I can feel the hurt in her voice. She thinks I don’t remember a one-night stand.

  “I remember her, but I wouldn’t touch that gold digging whore.” I slip on my boxers. Then I hit the number to my fucking lawyer. “Wake up.”

  “What’s going on?” he stammers.

  “You didn’t do a good job with that bitch Cherry. Why the fuck am I just learning that I have a little brother?” Renee gasps, clasping her hand to her mouth. I bend down and kiss her forehead. There’s a lot of explaining I’m going to have to do, but I want to know why the person supposedly in charge of her whereabouts neglected that whole little unmistakable fact.

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry Liam. I can’t represent you anymore.” He hangs up on me, the fucking piece of shit.

  “Are you okay?” she asks, standing up completely naked in front of me. I growl and slam my mouth to hers. I need her. Fucking hell. I’ll have to do a blood test, but the kid looks like my brother and me. And if it’s the Cherry I know, then yes Max would be my little brother.

  “Yes, baby. I am. Or at least I will be.”

  “What do you mean he’s your brother? She specifically said you were the father.”

  “She’s a lying bitch. And I have a feeling my lawyer had something to do with it, or he’s the most incompetent motherfucker around. My father met this woman a few years back. She was one of those caregiver people who hang out with old people. He wasn’t that ill where he needed one, but he met her at the hospital while getting some blood tests done. She jumped on it and pulled all the tricks the normal gold diggers do. My dad was a good-looking man, but fuck he was ancient compared to her. A little over a year of being with her, he died.”

  “I’m sorry.” She brushes her hands on my chest. I halt her movement and bring them to my lips for a kiss before putting them back.

  “It’s okay. The man made the choice he did. We warned him about her. So he cut us out of his life. I got the company by default, he signed it away to get a lump sum before the company landed in Chapter 11. I managed to keep it going, but our relationship was over. If we couldn’t accept her, he was done with us. He left everything to that hooker. I’m glad that he didn’t leave the company to her. It’s not like I needed his money, but he shouldn’t have put a woman above us. But he was a bastard anyway who couldn’t keep his dick out of everything with a cunt.” I push away because I’m so pissed. My mother is going to find out, and that could set her back. He made it hard for her to trust and love again.

  “My mother won’t say it, but she was glad the bastard was dead. My brother and I are only two months apart in age.” Renee releases another shocked gasp, and I respond with a nod. “They were married for three years before she got pregnant with me. Then the mistress had enough when my mom was pregnant again. She confronted my mom and told her everything. A month after my mom filed for divorce, she lost the baby. The heartache was too much for her. We moved in with my grandparents, and my mother went to school while my father paid child support and alimony. When I started college, I hung out with my dad a little more because I wanted to go into business. He may have been a cheating bastard, but he was successful, or so I believed.”

  “Oh goodness. I can’t imagine that. I would be broken.”

  Fuck, I didn’t want to give her the impression that I was anything like him. “I’d never do that to you.” I brush my hand along her jaw. “I promise you. I haven’t been with a woman ever. I told you that he couldn’t be mine and that’s why I’m positive about it.”

  “Oh.” She shakes her head in disbelief. I get that at twenty-five I should have nailed at least a dozen by now, but with a father like mine, some traits shouldn’t be passed down. “If that’s true then how come you didn’t let them boot me?”

  “Because despite all rational thought…I couldn’t let you walk away from me. I’ve been fighting this from the moment I met you.”

  “Wow, well I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you the truth. But I get tongue-tied when you look at me the way you do,” she confesses, biting her lip again. I growl, thinking about her tongue tied around my cock. I grind myself on her and tug her lip from her teeth, sucking on it with mine. Before I can do anything, there’s a buzz at my front door. It has to be my security.

  “Put some clothes on or stay in bed. If any man sees you like this, I’ll gouge their eyes out and replace them with their nuts.” I hurry up and throw my clothes on and dash out of the room. I look through the camera. It’s security alright…and my mother and her husband. Fuck. This is going to be terrible.

  “Liam, you better open this door.”

  “I’m coming mother.” I open it up and let her in. I know this is against my better judgment, but I can’t slam the door on her. She must have gotten wind of the media shit storm.

  “Do you mind telling me what’s going on? Do I have a grandson that I don’t know about?” She storms into the condo looking around. Some of the baby’s toys are on the floor. “Where is he?” she asks, pointing to the rocker thing on the floor.

  “Mom, why don’t you come sit down?” I guide them to the couch, shaking Gerald’s hand while my head of security gives me a pained sympathetic expression then leaves.

  “Mom, the boy isn’t my son.” It’s the simplest way to start.

  “Then why is he here?” she challenges.

  “Because…damn it. Okay. Try not to be upset, but he’s…my brother.”

  “What?” She paused for a moment just as Renee comes from the bedroom. “Why is your dad’s whore coming out of your bedroom?” She’s on her feet about to confront my future wife.

  I get in the way, stopping her from doing something irreversible. “Mother, calm down. Renee is not a whore, and she sure as hell isn’t anyone’s but mine.” I grab Renee’s hand and sit her down by my side on the opposite side of my mother as I explain the truth about Max. As I finish tears come to my mother’s eyes. Renee lets go of my hand, and I wrap my mother in my arms for a strong hug. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. I’m sorry for her and Gerald. This probably isn’t easy for him to see her hurt over a dead man. He knows that she doesn’t pine for my father, but my father broke her spirit and her ability to see herself as worthy.

  She pulls back, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief that Gerald slips into her hand. She gives him a warm, loving smile in return. “I’m sorry. I was so rude to your…” She looks for an answer to what we are.

  “My fiancé.”

  I see where her eyes land, and I brace myself. “I don’t see a ring on her finger,” she scolds me.

  “There will be.”

  “That’s better. I’m sorry that you’re burdened with your father’s baby. I know you’ll do the right thing and care for him because you’re a good man. Maybe you should get ahold of your other brother and inform him. He might like to meet him.”

  “I left a message for him to call me when he returns from his mission. It’s okay. With Renee by my side, we’ll raise him better than he could have gotten with dad and his bimbo.”

  “Why didn’t she just tell you about your brother? They were married after all. She could have used him to her financial gain.” My mom knew Cherry well. Cherry took it upon herself to make sure my mom did. It was cruel, but my mother laughed the skanky broad off.

  “She knew that I wouldn’t be beholden to give him shit. She had all of dad’s assets. The company wasn’t his long before he died. But there’s more I have to find out. I think she didn’t want the baby to be dad’s. There’s no denying that he could pass for my son, so I’m going to have the DNA test done and see if he really is dad’s boy. I’m sorry. I can understand…” I pause thinking about how messed up this is to her.

  “Don’t do that. I had a hard time accepting being around your brother, and that was my character flaw. It’s been hard to accept that he’s the product of a longtime affair. But since I met Gerald, I learned that some things happen for a reason. I should have been nicer to your bro
ther. It wasn’t his fault.” She smiles at me, hoping I believe her. And I do. She’s been through a lot of heartache and reevaluation of her happiness.

  Whimpers come from the baby’s room. Shit. I don’t know the first thing about babies, but I’m going to learn. Even before I found out otherwise, I was willing to help be a father to her baby. Now that I know Max isn’t her baby, it makes this whole makeshift family deal a lot easier for me. I’m kind of territorial where she’s concerned.

  “I have to check on him.” Renee stands up, giving out an awkward smile. Her tits bounce when she does it; I bite back a groan, then toss my gaze to my step-father. If that fucker is looking, I’ll pound his face in. Luckily, he wasn’t. He’s holding my mother’s hand. I know he’s good for her, and they’ve been together for nearly a decade, but I don’t trust anyone with my mother. I don’t want to see her hurt again.

  I take my eyes back to my precious fiancé. Renee’s beyond anything I could have ever hoped for, and I’ve been nothing but a dick. He’s my little brother. I should be the one looking after him. “I’ll come with you,” I say, jumping up from my seat.

  “I suppose…since he is your brother,” she mutters, rubbing her hands together.

  I grasp the back of her neck, tipping her head back and massaging her pulse. “Baby, I told you that I was going to accept him even when I was a nutcase jealous ass. I just don’t know how to take care of him.”

  “I’m not much better,” she whispers, staring up at me with all her heart in her eyes.

  Fuck, I could drown in her gaze. I want to be alone with her. “Then we’ll learn together.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her tenderly, forgetting all those around us and deepening it until we’re breathless.

  She steps back from me. “The baby.”

  “Yeah, let’s do this.” I take her hand and walk to the bedroom. I get a shock when I see my mom holding onto the little man.

  “Sorry. I wanted to see him. He looks so much like you when you were a baby.” I look at her, waiting for the waterworks to kick in. “I’ve forgiven your father long before he died for cheating on me and the life we lost as a family. It’s crazy, but I feel unexpectedly attached to this guy.”

  “I’m sorry, mom.”

  “Don’t, Liam. You’re a treasure. Even if I got a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t because I wouldn’t have you. Keep being the good man you are. Here. Learn to hold the little one. Soon you’ll have your own son.” She hands him to me, and I take him from under his arms.

  “Thanks.” I hold him to my body just like she gave him to me. He curls into me, pressing his face to my chest and releasing a sigh. My heart fucking melted. At that moment, I knew I would do everything I could to show him that he can be better than his biological father. My mother kisses my cheek then hugs Renee and says, “Goodnight. Call me when you get everything straightened out.”

  Chapter 8

  Renee

  Liam tucks Max back into the crib. I absently smile at the sight. My heart races as I think about the way he’d treat our babies. Dang, why am I letting his words dominate my common sense? I should know better. Things start out good for so many couples. Then something goes wrong.

  “Liam. I’m going to sleep in here,” I tell him, silently hinting that I want to be alone. I think back to when things were good with my parents. All it took was one trip into the world of drugs. And I lost them to the federal system.

  “Why? Are you worried about him?” he asks, missing my little implication.

  “Yes,” I lie.

  “Okay. The bed is big enough for the both of us.” He catches the look on my face, then he adds, “Don’t over think this. I told you that you’re mine. If you think I’m going to sleep away from you, you’re out of your pretty little head.”

  He pulls me into his arms and presses his lips to mine, coaxing a moan from my body. This is what scares me. What if this is too good to be true?

  We fall into bed together, snuggling throughout the night. “Don’t ever doubt me, Renee. I’ve waited a lifetime for you,” he whispers just as the sun begins to rise.

  Chapter 9

  Liam

  “Thank you for taking my call. My friend said you were the best.” I got into the office early and called in some favors. I have a top security agent with the skills to get the answers I need. At least that’s what I’m told.

  “Yes, Mr. Hart. Mr. Blake informed me you would need some documents on a specific person. Please provide me with the name, and I’ll see what I can do by this afternoon. Is there anything particular that you’re looking for?” he questions as if he’s taking my order at a restaurant.

  I read off her name, and I don’t catch any sign that he’s surprised by the last name at all. He must be a true professional. “I want to compare her phone calls and to see if this number is in there. And also, if you could get her medical records for the last two years, that would be great.”

  “Can do.”

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “Yes, sir.” We end the call, and I have a good feeling about it. Now, I have to deal with getting Renee tied to me completely without much of a fuss. I understand that my father’s history, her parents’ tumultuous marriage, and then this whole debacle on top of our hostile first few days gives her pause, but I’m more serious than I’ve ever been on anything.

  I need a ring, and to convince her that we’re meant to be. I knew that from the first moment I met her. It’s strange the way that life throws you some curveballs; the key is to know when to swing. Renee may think that this is temporary, but I’m not going to let her run from me.

  I sit at my desk ruminating about all the things that made me fall in love with her. I think about the way she made me dinner even though she had no idea I would eat it. I love the way she smiles and bites her lip. The way she stood up to me, even if it didn’t last long. How is it possible that my heart pounds wildly as if I just went on a ten-mile run from one look in her eyes? I think about her more than I should, and I never plan to stop.

  ****

  I’m about to leave the office and get home to my beauty and little brother when my phone rings. It’s my connection. Damn the man is fast. “I’ve got some interesting stuff for you. What email do you want it sent to?”

  I read off a secure email then drag up the file on my computer. As soon as I read the contents, I’m pissed off. He’s been talking to her regularly for six months. I’m sure it’s way longer than that, but the bastard knew she was pregnant. I have a lot to consider. I need to know how far back their relationship goes.

  A thought hits me why she never mentioned the baby. What if she thought it was his, then it turned out to be my father’s, so she dumped him off on me. I’m betting that’s what this was about. She got everything my bastard father gave her. I guess Max was more than she wanted to take. She’s going to lose everything, and so is that shady lawyer of mine.

  Chapter 10

  Renee

  I can’t take another day in the house. Max and I are going for a walk. It’s such a wonderful day. One of Liam’s security came along with me. I’ve only seen him in passing a handful of times in the week that I’ve been here, but he offered to escort me.

  “Thanks for walking with us. I know that it’s not in your job description.”

  “No problem, ma’am.”

  “I’m only going to take him to the park. I promise it won’t be long.”

  “I’m on the boss’s dime, so it doesn’t matter.” We enter a large park, but it’s not busy. I take him over to the swings and sit him in the ones for babies. He giggles revealing two teeth on the bottom. I have to take a picture. He’s a cutie. As soon as I have a couple adorable shots, I message Liam. I know he’s busy, but I have to share this with someone. He’s all I really have.

  A text comes back instantly. Where are you?

  At the park, down the street from your condo.

  I’m on my way.

  I’m not there another two minutes
before I feel his arms wrap around me. “I’ve missed you, Renee.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  “He’s so cute,” Liam whispers. “Soon we’ll have a few babies for him to play with.”

  “You’re nuts.”

  “About you.” He spins me around to face him and closes in, kissing me briefly. I pull back because we’re in public. And that’s when I see the first flashes of the camera. Damn it, I’m sure we’ll be all over the news.

  “Oh no. They’re going to run a story on us.”

  “That’s cool. We’re getting married.”

  “But everyone thinks you’re marrying your baby mama.”

  “I am. One day you’ll have my baby. I’m about to release a statement to the press about Max, but I need all my ducks in a row first.”

  “Can we leave now. Liam?” I asked in a hush. I’m not comfortable around all this attention, especially with Max.

  “Absolutely.” He places a kiss on my forehead, then steps around me to get Max out of the swing. The baby gives Liam a big smile, hugging onto his big brother.

  Liam takes my hand and leads the way back to the condo. The cameras were held back by the guards.

  Questions begin to roll off their tongues. “Aren’t you angry about her keeping the baby a secret?” Liam holds me tightly, protecting me from the massive gathering.

  We’re on the verge of getting on the elevator when another shouts, “Are you getting married for the baby’s sake?”

  “For mine,” Liam answers with a grin on his face as the elevator door closes.

  Chapter 11

  Liam

  I ring the doorbell, catching her by surprise because I left my car around the corner. “Hello, dear stepmother,” I snidely bite out.

  “Liam, what are you doing here?”

  “You know exactly why I’m here. You pawned your son off on me, claiming I’m the father.”