by E. K. Blair
“Oh no.” Helen oozed with arrogance. “You see, when you started to run around behind my back with her, I hired a private investigator. And I learned all sorts of things, including the biological father of Samantha Jacquelyn Strattan. From there, all the pieces fell into place. It wasn’t even hard to get the man Analise never could. Garrett and I had instant chemistry—”
He grunted. “We did. Screwed on the first date.” He shrugged then. “Of course, it helped that my wife had already cheated on me and I learned about it that day.”
“Oh my goodness.” Analise bent over as she started to pant. “Honey, I can’t breathe.”
There was a look of enjoyment in Helen’s eyes that had me snarling. I shot to my feet. “They called you here because of me. I’m screwing Mason.”
And then someone else buzzed at the door.
James bit out a curse as he wrenched it open. He stopped in shock as David stood there, with Malinda behind him.
David scanned the inside and turned back. It wasn’t long before Malinda left and he stepped inside.
“Great.” Analise was livid. “This is great. Where’d your girlfriend go this time? She’s not here to support you?”
David frowned, but his eyes rested on me. A tinge of concern had seeped into them. “I can see this is a family-only matter. Malinda came with me for support if I should need it. Her son came as well. I believe he’s attending a party in this suite later on.”
Logan choked on some beer and struggled to keep it in. Mason belted him on the back.
“Who called you?”
David glanced around, but Garrett lifted another finger in the air. The look of amusement was evident as he couldn’t hold back a grin. “I did. Again, I thought it was only appropriate.”
“Garrett,” Helen hissed. “Stop interfering.”
He extended a hand towards me. “She’s my daughter. I called her mother and the man who’s her real father. He raised her all her life.” Then he strode forward and shook hands with David. “I’m the sperm donor. Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” The two sized each other up and after a moment stepped back.
Analise rolled her eyes. “You two are okay with each other?”
Garrett gave her a polite smile. “We’ve both had to deal with you.”
David added, “It’s a bonding experience.”
Logan choked back another laugh. When everyone turned to glare, he displayed his zipped lips again and stuffed a handful of chips in his mouth.
“You let them drink in the open?”
Helen turned, at a loss. “Excuse me?”
“They’re underage, Helen. They aren’t allowed to drink.” He gestured towards his sons, who both had a beer in hand. “And they’re throwing a party here tonight?”
“Well,” she glanced towards Garrett. “I had no idea. I had dinner plans for the evening.”
My mother cleared her throat. “Can we get back to the part where my daughter said she was screwing her future stepbrother?” She glared at me. “I’d love to hear how this came about and why no one else seemed surprised.”
No one spoke a word.
Her head started to swivel around. As her eyes found James, he gave her an apologetic look. “I had my suspicions.”
She gasped.
Garrett lifted another finger. “I knew too. I caught ‘em in the elevator.”
“You did not.” My hands found my hips. “We were standing in there and you got on. End of story.”
“He had his arm around you and he kissed your shoulder. It was pretty evident, sweetie.”
I snarled at him, “I’m not your sweetie.”
David cleared his throat. “I knew as well, Analise. I was going to tell you, but I had hoped for a family dinner of my own this evening first.” His eyes held mine. I felt my stomach drop at the sorrow in them. “That didn’t occur as I had planned.”
I looked away, burning. What did it matter? What did he matter anymore? He let me go... A small voice in my head told me that he didn’t, though. He had fought for me since the beginning. I swung back to him and he gave me a small smile for encouragement.
“Who else knew about them?”
Helen gave her a polite, but lethal. “I walked in on them. They’d just had sex.”
“You’re screwed, brother,” Logan whispered out of the corner of his mouth. Mason shot him a look, but stood beside me. He regarded the group with a grave look on his face. “What do you all care about? I screw girls. You know this.”
“Not your stepsister!” my mother cried out.
He bore her down with a look that silenced her. Shivers went down my back, but I didn’t dare glance up. I didn’t want to remember that from him. Then he taunted her in a soft voice. “You should be happy, Analise. My father isn’t a mechanic and my mother’s not a cashier at the local grocery store. Your daughter did well for finding a bedmate.”
Logan hooted out in laughter now.
She flushed as she remembered her own words. “This is not right. The two of you should not be—”
Garrett rolled to his feet again. “You can’t do a thing to stop her, Lise.”
She whirled to him. “Shut up, Garrett. You’ve had nothing to do with her all your life. You have no right to start now—”
With two steps he was in her face. “I have every right. I had a daughter that I didn’t know about. You kept her from me! You had no right to do that. Maybe it’s my turn now. Maybe I should be her parent now.”
She paled even further. “No!”
David stepped forward. “I wouldn’t be averse to that. I’ve been in talks with Analise about sharing responsibility of Samantha. I’ve offered to pay for her college already.”
“You have?”
“I have.” His eyes gentled as he turned to me. “I wanted to talk with you about some of those plans I’ve made with your mother at dinner tonight.”
“You did?”
“Well, that’s just dandy! You all knew my daughter was boning her stepbrother and no one had the decency to call me?”
“Watch it, Analise. Your age is showing.” Garrett smirked at her. “And I did call you.”
David stiffened as he turned. “Why would I call you when you haven’t had the decency to consult me in any matter? You wanted to take her from me completely. You wanted to wipe her from my life.”
“She’s a bitch, isn’t she?” Garrett threw an arm around David’s shoulder.
“She is.” Then his lip turned downwards. “Samantha, as the man who has raised you all your life...” He glanced upwards.
Garrett gave him an approving nod and patted his shoulder.
David continued, “I have to ask if this is a cry for help? Are you with Mason because you wanted all of our attention?”
Helen snorted and crossed her arms again. “Well, she got it.”
I glared at her, but gentled as I looked at my father. “It’s not a cry for help, David. It’s—”
“They’re hot as hell for each other!” Logan shot to his feet. “I can’t keep quiet anymore. You all are stupid idiots if you think that. Don’t you know her? Don’t you know Mason? My god, I’m embarrassed to call you ass-dults!”
“Logan,” his mother hissed. “Shut up. You promised.”
He flipped up his middle finger. “I don’t care. I can’t handle this. My game is talk. You tried to take that away.” He shot an arm towards Mason. “He fights. I talk. That’s the magic of our twosome fearsome. Sam’s one of us, man. She’s got the guts to do the dirty deeds if we don’t. She watches out for us too. Ya’ll are stupid if you didn’t see this coming.” He thrust his arms out wide. “The three of us are a magical team. No way are you screwing this up.”
James asked him with a dry voice, “Really?”
Logan puffed up his chest before he downed the rest of his beer. “You don’t know what it’s like being a Kade. Sam does. She’s conquered and proved her loyalty runs deep.” He flinched. “Real deep if I’m guessing at ho
w far Mason goes in her—”
“Logan, shut the hell up!” Mason smacked him in the back of his head.
He came back up with a brighter smile. “And I’m proven right, again! You guys should hire me for this talent I have. Mom, I bet you have a better sex life with that Garrett dude than you did with dad.”
“Logan!”
He turned towards James. “And dad, I bet your sex life is pretty good with Analise. She strikes me as the slutty type.”
“Logan!”
He grinned broadly. “And David...I don’t know you that well, but you strike me as conservative. You’re only going to be with a conservative woman, maybe one that looks exotic though. I can tell you have control issues. You don’t like anyone who is wilder than you, probably why you had problems with your ex, huh? As for the current one, she’s hot under the covers, but I don’t know if you want her to be.” He shook his head in sympathy. “You might want to take care of that.”
David frowned as he looked away.
“And Garrett,” Logan tsked tsked him in approval. “You’re a wild one, I can tell. That’s why I know Mason’s got a good one. You and Analise both are hot ones in bed. I can tell. It’s why my mom and dad like the both of you. Both of them are vanilla in bed, I bet. I’m sorry about that. I bet the two of you had wild sex together.” He shook his head in wonderment. “Two of the same types rarely work out, too much drama. A wild one and a vanilla one always go the distance. They balance each other out.”
Garrett chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment as he regarded the sudden outburst. Then he nodded in approval. “I like you. You speak the truth. Inappropriate, but the truth.”
Logan puffed out his chest. Then the smirk dropped from his face and he clipped out, “Good. Then leave Sam and Mason the fuck alone. You’ve screwed up our lives enough.”
Mason slid him a look. “I was going to get to that. I was waiting for the right time.”
Logan looked annoyed. “Whatever. I had enough being quiet.”
I slid my eyes towards him and he saluted me before he dropped back on the couch. “Continue on as you were...” He pretended to bow to them as he opened another beer, and passed one to Mason.
I caught mine as I sat on the couch with him.
Mason slid down beside me and Logan curled an arm around my shoulder. He drawled against my cheek, “It’ll throw them off. Their visionary senses will tell them we’re screwing and they’ll get confused.” His hand slid down towards my breast.
Mason warned, “Don’t even try it, Logan. I’m the fighter, remember?”
His hand slid back up to my shoulder. He gave me a pat. “Threesome fearsome. No one stands a chance.”
I grinned at him. “What about Nate?”
He tapped his beer with mine. “When he’s around, it’s the foursome fearsome. You can add any ‘some to that name. Thank goodness, huh?” Then he groaned. “I really need to get laid tonight.”
Mason tipped his head back. I felt the tension in his body and reached for his hand.
Logan leaned forward. “We might be having that party in your suite.” Then we looked at the room as their voices were raised at each other. “Something’s telling me the adults aren’t going anywhere tonight.”
My mom chose that moment to lift her hands in the air. “I don’t care what you think I’ve done wrong in my parenting. I’ve been the one there for her all her life.”
I closed my eyes. It was going to be a long night. I already knew it.
***
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The adults remained in the top suite so the party was moved down two floors when Logan paid for the other suite on Mason’s floor. Text messages were sent out and soon the elevator had started to ring its arrival. The two doors were left open and it wasn’t long before a swarm of people filled the floor. I had been with Mason and Logan for a while until their public friends started to show. After Ethan sent me a few frowns and narrowed glances, I took my exit and it wasn’t long before I heard Becky’s excited voice.
She squealed somewhere, “I can’t believe this! This is awesome!”
When I stepped on a chair, I saw them inside the doorway and sent a text that I was near the kitchen. It wasn’t long before Becky and Lydia pushed their way to me and landed with flushed faces.
“Hey, guys.” I narrowed my eyes.
Lydia let out a silent burp and tugged her skirt down to flaunt her hipbones.
“You guys are drunk.”
Becky flung herself at me for a hug. As she fell against me, she gurgled out, “Am not. Spoilshoret.”
“We’re not drunk.” Lydia pulled her back and linked their elbows together. She puffed up her chest and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
“You are. I know what you look like when you’re drunk and I can smell the booze on Becky’s breath.”
“So what if we’re drunk?! It’s Friday night. We’re allowed.” Becky seemed sure of herself. “And besides we’re celebrating your awesomeness. Oh yeah. You’re awesome. You’re the queen of being awesome. You are a god-dess, you are.” Her head bounced up and down with each word and her smile grew at each nod. “And you’re my friend. I’m so glad you’re my friend.”
“Mine too.” Lydia beamed.
“Oh boy.” I sipped the beer Logan made me take. “How are you getting home?”
Becky pointed a finger at me. “How are you getting home, missy? Or are you sleeping here...with your boyfriend?!”
“Yeah. Your boyfriend.” Lydia giggled at Becky, who bumped heads with her.
“Don’t worry,” Adam’s voice came from behind me. “I promised Becky’s parents that I’d watch out for her. They weren’t keen on letting her attend a Kade party, but I persuaded them. Plus, I think Lydia’s staying at Becky’s tonight anyway.” He gave me a small smile, but I caught the apprehension in his depths.
“Thanks,” I said lightly.
Lydia had been watching us and cooed, “You guys will make a great couple.”
Becky nudged her.
“I mean, someday...maybe...not.” She hung her head, but snapped back up with a bright smile. “I forgot to tell you. Jessica’s hating you right now. She’s so jealous of you. You got Logan Kade. Can you believe it? Well...I guess you can, but still—you’re dating Logan Kade.”
An arm was thrown around my shoulder and I closed my eyes. Speak of the devil...
I didn’t need to look to know a very smug smirk was on Logan’s face as he drew me against him. “When did this phenomenon happen?”
Becky’s eyes went wide, but Lydia edged closer with a secretive smile. “Maybe about the time you realized you couldn’t ignore her phone calls. I mean, she lives with you, right?”
Logan drew back with a frown. His arm tightened around my shoulders. “You’re saying that I’m stuck with her?” He threw me a look. “Your friends suck.”
Lydia flushed and moved back again.
Becky’s mouth dropped open before she got red in the face. “Hey, I’m sick of people saying that Sam doesn’t have good friends. I’m her friend. I’m her best friend, even if she doesn’t know it, but I know I am.”
Adam added, “She is. I’ve seen her in action.”
Her finger jerked back up. “And you better treat her right, not like her last boyfriend. He sucks.” She pounded her chest with a beer in hand. “I know. I’m his cousin. I can say that. And he cheated on her. He was a fool. You better not cheat on her, Logan Kade.”
A look of admiration took root in his eyes, but he deadpanned, “And if I do?”
“I’m going to come for you.”
He chuckled. “Really?”
She stepped forward and bumped her chest to his. The movement wasn’t smooth and she would’ve tripped if Adam hadn’t caught her elbow.
“You’re right. You have ninja moves,” he encouraged her.
“Stop,” I said under my breath to him.
Then, with a different sounding laugh, he squeezed me against him a
gain and kissed the side of my head. “No worries. I’ll be your boyfriend for as long as you want me to be.” He glanced at Becky. “I hope I won’t meet you in a dark alley, little girl.”
Her eyes rounded. “Really?”
“I’ve got moves too, little red.” Logan shook his head and laughed under his breath before he tapped my arm once and left.
Lydia swooned, swaying on her feet. “I need dry panties.”
“Lydia!”
Becky frowned at her.
Adam cringed behind them, but gave me a wry look. “Are you going to tell them?”
I shrugged.
“Tell us what?”
“Yeah, what?” They looked back and forth.
“Hey, dude!” Mark Decraw pushed his way through the crowd and slapped a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for you for an hour, man.”
Adam grimaced. “Yeah, it took longer than I thought it would. Sorry about the wait.”
“No worries. I scored some free drinks at the pool downstairs.” Then his gaze swung wide and he took the rest of us in. His eyes widened a fraction when he saw me. “Hey, Sam. I heard upstairs got intense.”
My eyes cooled. “Yeah...”
“You think everything’s going to work out? You know, with you and M—”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I folded my arms over my chest and waited. My heart started to pound. What right did he have to talk about my family struggles? He wasn’t family. He didn’t know a thing about it.
“Oh. Okay.” He looked towards Adam and shifted to the back of his heels.
Adam looked around the room.
So did Lydia while Becky’s eyes were glued to me as she mouthed, ‘What upstairs?’
Then someone laughed as they passed by. “Awkward!”
Lydia and Becky made eye contact and bent over giggling. Adam frowned more and he started to scratch his head.
I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. Did I join in? Did I pretend I didn’t know what Mark was talking about? Did I pretend I was friends with Adam again? I had no idea, but I did know that I was separate from the group now. My relationship with the Kades had shifted me higher than my friends, but if they were like this with the assumption that I was sleeping with Logan, what’d they be like when they learned it was Mason?