With the leather journal in hand, he headed toward the bedroom door. He stilled at the threshold and threw a heartbreaking look over his shoulder.
“This isn’t how I planned the night to end.” His eyes held her in place from across the room. “And to think I nearly let my guard down and told you how I truly felt.”
By the time she processed exactly what that veiled statement meant, he was gone.
Viv clutched the V in her robe as she sank to her knees. Tears gathered and fell as she struggled with the reality that Jack had fallen for her. He didn’t need to say those exact words; he’d shown her.
Swiping at her eyes, she glanced at the monitor. Sweet Katie slept peacefully now. Viv had done the right thing in finally telling him. It didn’t matter what her heart wanted, all that mattered now was that child and giving her the best life.
But that didn’t mean Viv would let go of what she’d found with Jack without a fight.
* * *
Sometimes seeking comfort is the only way to get through the mourning process. I had no idea a child would come from our intimacy. As much as I want to be part of his life, I respect Catherine Carson’s wishes. I came into her life, offering nothing, so the least I can do is stand by her in a silent manner and support her from a distance.
It kills me. Goes against everything I stand for. I take what I want, what’s mine. And this little boy with green eyes like my own is mine.
Sending checks isn’t the same, but he will want for nothing.
Jack stared at the words, hating every single one of them. At this point he even questioned his loyalty to his own mother. She’d lied to him by remaining silent. She’d never once hinted that his father was the notorious Patrick O’Shea, but here it was, in plain sight.
Easing back in his leather office chair, Jack stared at the open pages, willing them to rewrite history. He didn’t want to be the son of such a criminal. He’d done nothing these past ten years but take down jerks like him.
Yet here he sat, at a crossroads, and he had no idea how the hell to move forward. What direction did he take at this point? Did he confess to the Feds that he was too close to the case now? Did he go to Braden, Mac and Laney and tell them...
What? What would he say? “Congratulations, it’s a boy”? Somehow that didn’t sound right. There was no “right” way to go about this, yet Jack had to make a decision and he needed to make it fast.
He swiped a hand over his face, instantly smelling something floral. Jasmine. The shower he’d taken with Viv had left its mark on him. There was no escaping her.
The idea that she’d had this information for weeks tore him up. He’d lost sleep over the case, had gone to the enemy, had quizzed her over and over. Yet she had remained silent.
He’d slid right into her world, trying like hell to remain closed off, but where Viv was concerned, he hadn’t had a choice. Everything about her drew him in, from the way she took in foster children to the way she called him out when he was being difficult.
She had curves that any man would beg to touch, and he’d done so much more. He literally craved her, ached for her. How did he just turn that off?
And sweet Katie had gotten into his heart, too. How could he ignore that emotion? An innocent baby had stolen his heart when he wasn’t looking.
But Viv made him smile, made him want... Made him realize there was enough life left in him to do exactly what he’d intended, and that was to have a family of his own.
She’d helped him in a sense, but in the end, she’d destroyed him. If she cared for him the way she claimed, she would have come to him first.
Falling for Viv wasn’t what hurt. Knowing she didn’t trust him with the truth cut him so deeply, he didn’t know if he’d ever recover from the wound.
But there was only one thing he could do at this point. The Feds didn’t need to know about Jack’s biological connection to the O’Sheas—at least Viv was right in that area. They only wanted Jack’s help with proving or disproving the theory that the family had something to do with the Parkers’ deaths.
Uncovering the truth about his past, his family, was more important to Jack than any damn case.
For once in his life, something was coming before work.
When he glanced at the antique clock on the corner of his desk, he realized time had literally slipped away from him. It was nearly six in the morning. He’d left Viv’s house so late, then come straight to his home office and bottle of twenty-year-old bourbon. He’d read Patrick’s damn journal cover to cover, trying to make sense of it all.
Jack had no doubt this book was legit, and he highly doubted the rest of the O’Sheas—his siblings—knew anything about their father’s deepest secrets.
Tapping the edge of his desk, he continued to glare at the black ink. He’d wait a bit longer before making the call. A call that could change his entire future.
Jack tipped back the rest of the bourbon in his tumbler. His thoughts drifted to Viv again, and he damned himself for ever letting her into his life.
He cursed himself further for still wanting the hell out of her.
But that was something he’d have to address later...after he met with his newfound brother.
Seventeen
Neutral ground was always his first choice, but for this little meeting, Jack had agreed to go to O’Shea’s. Mac was still in town and Jack wanted to meet him and Braden together. He wanted to go through this story only one time, though he knew that wasn’t likely.
Jack entered the offices an hour before they officially opened. He’d been up all night and called promptly at seven. Braden had agreed to the emergency meeting, though Jack could tell the tycoon wasn’t too thrilled with the demand. Too damn bad. Jack’s life had spiraled into a cursed mess in the past twelve hours and he was done getting smacked in the face by fate.
He figured the only way to get them all together was to tell them he had information about their father. Which was the truth.
Clad in a black dress shirt and black pants, Braden stepped out of the back. Jack couldn’t stop the punch to the gut as he stared into the man’s green eyes. The same shade he saw every morning in the mirror. How had he never noticed the resemblance?
Because there had been no reason to until now.
“This better be good, Carson.” Braden motioned for him to follow. “Come on back. Mac is here and Laney will be along shortly.”
And where Laney was, Ryker was. Arrogant prick.
Jack clutched the journal in his hand and headed toward the back. He expected to feel a little fear, if he were being honest with himself, but right now all he wanted to do was get this over with. The odds of losing control were in his favor; after all, this meeting was going to be four against one. But he’d gone against odds before. Jack never backed away from a challenge. Besides, he held the journal—of which he’d made copies—and he also had more ties with law enforcement than the O’Sheas could ever hope to have.
Jack stepped through the doorway to the back office and met Mac’s angry stare. With a clipped nod in greeting, Jack surveyed the rest of the space. He hadn’t been in this part of O’Shea’s before. He knew from Viv’s description that the mahogany desk in the corner was hers.
Bringing Viv into his thoughts right now would not help him get through this meeting. He needed to focus 100 percent on what was about to happen, because this journal didn’t affect just his life—he was getting ready to drop a bomb directly onto the people he’d despised for so long.
Ruining them had to take a backseat to the truth. He wanted them to know exactly what he’d discovered.
And after reading Patrick’s words, Jack had a gut feeling he might be trying to bring down the wrong individuals. His father—it still hurt to think of Patrick O’Shea in those terms—had been the one who’d needed to be brought to
justice for his past crimes. Braden, Mac and Laney were all guilty by association, but they’d pleaded their innocence in this case all along. Ryker...well, he brooded and threatened, but he’d maintained his story, as well. Perhaps Viv had been right all along. Maybe this family was innocent and were only hypothetically guilty because of their notorious name.
“What couldn’t wait?” Braden asked as he took a seat behind the oversize desk in the middle of the room. “It must be something big for you to agree to come here.”
The journal felt heavy in his hand. “I’ve stumbled upon some information.”
And he’d thought hard about how to admit where it came from. He might be feeling hurt and betrayed by Viv, but he wasn’t about to out her in front of this family. Even he wasn’t that big of a jerk.
“There’s no easy way to do this,” he admitted as he crossed into the room and laid the journal at Braden’s fingertips. “This was your father’s.”
Mac, who’d been silently leaning against the desk, glanced down to the leather book. “How did you get this?” he asked, turning his focus back to Jack.
“That’s not important. What’s important is what is inside.” Jack swallowed, but he kept his features taut. “Halfway in, you’ll see a date flagged—June 30.”
Braden blew out a sigh, as if he’d rather be anywhere else than talking with Jack barely after sunrise. Well, Jack would rather be anywhere else, as well, but there was no escaping the inevitable.
Keeping his eyes on Braden, Jack propped his hands on his hips and waited. Moments later, the man slid the open pages to his brother.
“Where the hell did you get this?” Braden demanded. “I suppose you believe you’re the son?”
Jack nodded. “I know I am. Catherine Carson was my mother. Patrick refers to her often, and my mother never told me who my father was. I know we were taken care of, because when I turned eighteen, I received a lump sum of money. There’s no way it came from my mother, who worked in a flower shop.”
Mac held the journal in his hand and gestured with it. “So because you find this out of the blue, and the time line adds up, you just assume—”
Jack held out his palms. “I’m not assuming. I’m willing to get a DNA test.”
Mac set the journal back on the desk and eyed his brother.
“Sorry I’m late.” Laney swept in, Ryker right on her heels. She tugged her coat off as she glanced between Jack, Mac and Braden. “What did I miss?”
“Here.” Braden held out the journal, open to the page that changed Jack’s life.
Ryker took the book and read with Laney. Her gasp filled the room, but he just grunted out a laugh.
Ryker took Laney’s coat and folded it over the back of a leather chair. “Where did you find this?” he asked.
“He won’t say,” Mac stated.
Jack wasn’t about to let the power slip through his fingers. “Where I found it doesn’t matter. Is that Patrick’s writing?”
Laney nodded. “Yes. How do we know you’re the son he’s talking about?”
She eased down into the seat and leaned against her coat, her hand covering her swollen abdomen. “All this time Dad knew he had another child out there and didn’t say a word,” she murmured. “I bet that tore him up inside.”
Jack gritted his teeth. He didn’t care what it did to the old bastard. The man was a crooked liar. He’d done vile things to innocent people.
“Your eyes,” Laney stated, looking back up at Jack.
He nodded. The eyes clearly told the truth. Everyone in this room, save for Ryker, had the same shade of green eyes.
“That doesn’t mean a thing,” Ryker snarled. “If you’re trying to get money—”
Jack laughed. “Don’t be absurd. I couldn’t care less about your money. I’m here for the truth.”
“You’re here with a new approach to try to pin a crime on us we didn’t commit,” Braden stated.
Jack shrugged. “I could use this information to my favor if I wanted. But I’m starting to believe you.”
All eyes turned to him. Yeah, the revelation was just as shocking to him as it was to them. He didn’t want to admit he was wrong—who did? But he wasn’t going to make excuses for his actions. He’d gone on his instincts and past scenarios, and believed he was working the right angle.
“This is all too coincidental.” Mac rose to his full height, crossing his arms over his chest. “Suddenly our long-lost brother comes in and wants to help us save the day against the big, bad Feds.”
Jack’s cell vibrated in his pocket. Nothing was as important as this, so he ignored it. Again, he was putting his personal life ahead of work.
“I didn’t say I believe you completely,” he retorted. “I’m willing to work together, and if that clears your name, then so be it.”
“What exactly do you want from this meeting?” Braden asked, narrowing his eyes and leaning back in his chair. “You expect us to welcome you to family gatherings or reveal our deepest secrets?”
Jack glanced around the room. Ryker and Mac seemed to be angry, Braden still skeptical, while Laney looked at him as if she wanted to reach out and hug him, but was afraid. So many mixed emotions, so many lies swirling between them, and Jack was trying to set straight as many as he possibly could.
“I don’t expect to be trusted, by any means,” he stated, glancing back at Braden. “I wouldn’t believe me if I were in your shoes. I wanted to present you with what I’d found. The journal is yours to keep. I made copies.”
Braden closed the book and tapped his fingers on the leather cover. “I’d still be interested in knowing how this fell into your hands.”
The same way everything else lately had fallen into his hands...by chance. Viv had entered his life when he hadn’t been looking, just like the journal.
“I have a large reach,” he replied. “Same as you. I doubt you give up your informants.”
There was no way he’d ever give up Viv’s name. No matter what happened between them on a personal level, Jack cared for her, and he’d never want to see her hurt. She’d come to work for him when she’d needed a job, and he’d thrown her into the lion’s den. She’d never complained, but had stuck by his side and worked double duty.
And when she’d discovered a journal that uncovered a lie over three decades old, she’d panicked. Jack would be a jerk not to realize that she’d been scared, that she’d been trying to protect him while he finished this case. She knew the amount of time and mental effort he’d put into seeking justice.
And as furious and hurt as he was that she’d kept something so pivotal from him, he’d have to be blind not to see her reasoning.
“You don’t have to give up your informant,” Braden stated, shifting Jack’s focus back to the present. “I know you and Viv have been working together. I’ve known for some time.”
Keeping his cool, refusing to show any sign of affirmation, Jack merely asked, “And what makes you think this?”
Braden shrugged and came to his feet. “She’s the likely candidate, but Laney didn’t want to believe Viv would turn on us. She’s the only reason we kept Viv here.”
Jack flashed Laney a glance. The sadness in her eyes proved how much this family had come to care for Viv. Damn it, this was a debacle of epic proportions, because he, too, cared for her. Too much.
“Leave Viv out of this,” Jack stated. There was no reason to try to hide the facts or treat them like fools. “She worked for me, but she’s no longer in my employment.”
“Relax,” Mac interjected. “We also kept her here because we have nothing to hide. We know the Feds want to pin the Parkers’ tragedy on us. If you want to stop snooping around and actually work together, maybe we can find the guilty parties and clear our name.”
Jack tried to process everything happening. First and forem
ost, Viv’s true identity had been discovered long ago and they’d still kept her on. They could’ve done anything to her, given the rumors surrounding the family. But now that Jack was getting a glimpse inside their lives, inside Patrick’s journal, he was starting to see that maybe this family wasn’t all death and destruction.
“So you’re agreeing to work together?” he asked, taken aback.
“The truth goes both ways,” Braden said. “We don’t trust easily, but if you want to do this, then we’re all-in.”
Jack needed Viv, he realized. She had ties to this family that he didn’t, and they obviously respected her.
Damn it, that wasn’t the only reason he needed her. He missed her, and it had been only hours since he’d seen her, touched her.
But the O’Sheas wanted to work together to clear their name. Jack wanted justice for the Parkers...justice he’d never been able to deliver on behalf of his wife and unborn child.
His family.
And he might have another chance at a family yet. Viv had made a mistake, but she wasn’t malicious.
“I’d say with our combined resources, we can solve this case together,” Jack agreed. He had to focus on this moment, and deal with his personal life later.
“Get that DNA test,” Braden demanded. “I see it, though. I know the truth just by looking at you. What my father wrote may be shocking, but it’s the truth. Eyes aside, you’ve got the O’Shea attitude.”
Jack didn’t want to have the O’Shea name tacked on to his life. In his line of work, he couldn’t afford it. But at the same time, he wanted a family of his own. Only time would tell if this group would be his or not. He wasn’t quite ready to cozy up to the idea of holiday dinners or family portraits.
“I’ll have it done, but the result stays inside this room.” He glanced around at the people who were family by biology...nothing more. “I have a business, a reputation to protect.”
Braden smirked. “Can’t be associated with the notorious family? I get it. No problem.”
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