She didn’t care if Lucas knew or not. Right now all she thought about was time and how soon she could talk to the man who may very well be her father.
“Well, why wouldn’t I want to go there?” she exclaimed. “He obviously knew my mother. Maybe she told him the truth all those years ago. He’s the only one who could have all the answers.”
Lucas exhaled loudly and Paisley could practically see him rubbing his head trying to maintain his patience. She’d hired him to find the truth, though she wasn’t exactly paying.
Regardless, there was no reason she couldn’t continue working her angles. Maybe Sterling didn’t know anything, but she had to ask. Seeing him face-to-face would be the only way to tell if he was lying about his knowledge of her mother. This was too important to do over the phone and she didn’t want to wait.
“Let me handle this,” he finally told her. “I’m not trying to keep you out, but I do have a method and a plan. I promise, when the time comes to confront him, I will drive you there myself.”
Paisley wanted to argue, she wanted to hang up, close her shop and head straight to Sterling Perry’s house. But the other part of her knew Lucas was right. He did this for a living, plus she’d gone to him for his help, so going against it would only be counterproductive. She fully believed he had her best interests at heart. If he wanted to keep things from her, he never would’ve told her about Sterling’s release.
Paisley just wished the process would speed up so she could know once and for all.
“I won’t go,” she conceded. “But I don’t like this.”
“Duly noted,” he replied with a low chuckle. “I’m going to be late tonight, but I’m having your favorite Thai food delivered at seven. I figured that would give you enough time to get home, unwind, have a glass of wine or whatever.”
Well, damn. Hard to be upset with the man when he was sticking to his plan of being in charge of dinner each night. Why did he have to do these little things that made her fall more and more for him?
“That wasn’t necessary,” she told him. “But I’m not about to turn down my favorite dinner.”
“I didn’t figure you would,” he chuckled. “There’s also a little surprise waiting at home for you.”
At home.
The two words seemed to symbolize so much—like the possibility that they were creating a real life together and not some temporary arrangement that stemmed from blackmail.
“I love surprises,” she told him. “But you don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t,” he stated. “Don’t get your hopes up, though. The surprise is nothing major.”
Maybe not to him, but the fact he’d thought of her enough to even have a surprise said so much. Paisley’s heart swelled at the idea that he wanted to give her something for no reason. But she couldn’t let her mind travel to the place her heart already resided. Some part of her had to remain logical and firmly planted in reality. All of this was temporary. No matter how much she was falling for him, no matter how much she wished they could start something real, he only wanted her for a child and she needed him to find out the truth.
They weren’t the same people they once were, so the love and trust they’d need to start a solid foundation just wasn’t there yet.
Yet. As if he was going to fall madly in love with her and want a real future together.
“I need to run,” he told her, interrupting her thoughts. “I might be late, so you don’t need to wait up.”
He disconnected the call, and Paisley set her cell down as she leaned back in her seat, processing the whole Sterling update. What would he say when she confronted him? Would he deny her or welcome her into the fold of the family?
Granted, that was if she ended up being his daughter. Paisley wanted so desperately to feel like she belonged somewhere. Oh, she’d never admit as much, because she was trying to be the independent woman she claimed. But right now, she was getting hit from all sides and, well, she was a bit needy. There was no room for pride when everything had been taken away.
Everyone had a vulnerable point in their life and she had to admit, she’d reached hers.
She wasn’t going to stay down long, though. She would climb back up out of this nightmare of losing her mother, not knowing her father, marrying a man who didn’t love her and nearly losing her business. She’d ultimately find love and have a family like she always dreamed. Unfortunately, she just had to take the long way to get there.
With renewed hope that something in her favor would happen soon, Paisley went to work at her computer for the vow renewal bride. There was much to be done to keep other people’s dreams fulfilled until she could get to her own.
* * *
With every corner he turned leading to another dead end, Lucas opted to head to the new TCC clubhouse. He’d been there for the grand party in the ballroom several weeks ago, but hadn’t been since.
The renovations were nearly complete in the old historical Houston building, though there were definitely areas that weren’t done. The ballroom, the café, several of the upstairs units, those were all finished. The outdoor area and several of the offices still had a way to go. But they shouldn’t take too much longer.
Then the race would be on to see who the new president was. The Perry/Currin feud would never end at this rate. The decades-old rivalry kept carrying over from generation to generation, and there always seemed to be some new drama to bicker about.
They made the Capulets and the Montagues look like preschool playmates. Lucas almost wished Paisley wasn’t related to anyone in that mess.
He figured coming to the clubhouse now that Sterling was out might give him some insight. Or at the very least, there would be gossip. Everything he could gather on Sterling could potentially be used. From what Lucas had heard, the man’s own son hadn’t bothered to help. Roarke was a crusading attorney and hadn’t once offered assistance to Sterling.
That said quite a bit about Sterling’s character. Though, in Roarke’s defense, he hadn’t been all that close to his father. The two clashed more often than not and had been known to have public arguments. But still, wouldn’t a son come to the aid of his father in a situation this dire?
Just before Lucas had come to the clubhouse, he’d gotten a call from the hospital where Paisley was born. There was a night nurse who was still on the same unit, but she couldn’t answer any questions. Privacy laws were the main reason, but she also just didn’t remember.
He had to at least try, though he’d figured that angle would be another dead end.
There had to be some trace to Paisley’s biological father, but Lucas had yet to find it. She deserved to know if that letter from her mother meant anything or if Lynette had just been guessing herself.
Maybe they could be bold enough to show Sterling the letter and demand a DNA test. Lucas wasn’t sure Sterling would be so quick to cooperate, considering he had a mess in his life already without adding a long-lost child.
Not that Lucas would say this to Paisley, but her mother had been notably seen with many men over the years. She’d dated quite a bit. Being a barmaid back in the day, well, perhaps she’d taken more than one wealthy man home for the night.
Lucas sure as hell wasn’t judging what anyone did in their free time. He was just trying to zero in on who Lynette associated herself with back then. Lucas already had another meeting set up with the bar owner. He figured going back in when the place wasn’t slammed and noisy would be a better option, plus he’d wanted to give the guy some time to jog his memory. Now that Lucas had already questioned him, there was no doubt the old guy was thinking back.
The mind was just wired that way. Once the past was mentioned, people tended to dwell on it over the next several days, sometimes weeks, and other memories would come to them.
Lucas was banking on that happening. He wasn’t letting up on this at all...no matter
what the outcome.
He stepped up to the bar and ordered a beer on tap. A local brewery had worked a deal with the TCC clubhouse. Lucas was all for supporting local businesses...except for Sterling. Lucas hoped like hell that man didn’t become the new president. Sterling was the last person who should be given more authority.
Lucas was already making mental notes about grabbing more boxes from Paisley’s stash of her mother’s things when a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
He glanced around to see Ethan Barringer, the CEO of Perry Construction. Sterling owned a multitude of companies through Perry Holdings, but Ethan was one of his main men.
“Haven’t seen you around here,” Ethan commented as he settled on a stool next to Lucas. “Been keeping busy?”
Lucas nodded and accepted the frosty mug from the bartender. “Just now getting a chance to come back and see the place. It’s really coming together.”
Ethan nodded and curled his hands around his own beer. “This old building had some stumbling blocks, but we’re definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Heard Sterling was out.”
Ethan took a long pull of his drink, but Lucas kept his eyes on the guy. He liked Ethan well enough. It wasn’t his fault his employer was a bastard.
“Yeah. House arrest,” Ethan added. “He’s determined to find out who set him up. I just heard a rumor that Roarke might actually be Ryder’s son and not Sterling’s. Sterling’s just in a hell of a mess right now and I’m not sure when things will clear for him.”
Lucas was glad he’d swallowed his drink before that little bombshell was dropped. What the hell kind of twists and turns did Sterling have in his life? His own son wasn’t actually his son? And he may have an illegitimate daughter?
The man was a walking soap opera.
Lucas could hardly keep up with the chaos that seemed to always surround Sterling. Was this really a guy anyone would consider for president of the most elite club in Texas?
“That would certainly put a spin on things if that turned out to be true,” Lucas muttered, taking another sip of his beer.
“Who knows what’s going to happen,” Ethan commented with a shake of his head. “I feel like the past few weeks have been all ups and downs and one surprise after another. For all of us, really.”
Lucas shifted in his seat and nodded in agreement. Houston certainly had its share of drama lately and it seemed no one was left out.
“Is that a wedding band?” Ethan asked, gesturing toward Lucas’s hand.
“Yeah. A little over a week ago, actually. I married Paisley Morgan.”
A wide smile spread across Ethan’s face. “Congrats, man. Let me buy your beer. Marriage is a wonderful thing when you find the right person. I couldn’t imagine life without Aria Jensen.”
Ethan and Aria had been friends turned lovers and they both played a huge roll in the Houston Club.
While he was thrilled for the happy couple, Lucas didn’t really want to get into the whole marriage and love talk with Ethan...or with anyone, really. The arrangement he had with Paisley worked for them. They might not be in love, but they had a history, and they knew each other more than most married couples. They might be different people now, but they still had a bond that time and pain couldn’t erase.
“You’re a lucky man,” Lucas stated, making sure to keep the topic on Ethan. “Not many people find their soul mate.”
“I’d say we’re both lucky,” Ethan commented. “With all the chaos in this town, we need to cling to something good.”
Lucas couldn’t agree more. Only the “good” he was clinging to was the promise that he’d seek justice against Sterling for all the crooked dealings and people he’d betrayed.
Paisley was in that mix, so in a sense he was seeking justice for her, too. He kept reminding himself of that so he didn’t focus on the guilt he felt from using her to get to Sterling.
Lucas finished his beer, more than ready to get home to his wife. This new rumor could prove to be extremely useful in their journey, but Lucas still wasn’t ready to confront Sterling. He wanted a better timeline and a way to put him and Lynette together before Paisley was born. Maybe the affairs coincided. Revenge affairs weren’t uncommon.
Lucas couldn’t imagine being married to one woman and wanting another. Loyalty meant everything to him.
Suddenly, Lucas was more eager to get home. He’d never had someone waiting for him before and he knew this was something he shouldn’t get accustomed to...but that didn’t stop him from enjoying what he had now.
Paisley kept saying this marriage was temporary, but he knew her and knew that was her defense mechanism. She was afraid, but what she didn’t realize was that he was, too. Having her back in his life, back in his bed, terrified him. Because if she walked away again, he wasn’t sure if he could rebuild his heart a second time.
Eleven
“What do you say we go away?”
Angela Perry slid her arms up around Ryder Currin’s neck and threaded her fingers through his hair. She worried so much about the turmoil surrounding her family. But she and Ryder needed a chance to just be themselves without all the rest of the messy outside world getting in.
She was falling for him and she needed him to realize this was serious for her. Could they have a future together even though he was much older and his family and hers had been rivals for decades?
The rivalry didn’t matter to her, though it mattered heavily to her father. Angela couldn’t live her life to please her father.
Sterling had been released from prison last night and Angela feared they’d go back into a verbal sparring match over her relationship with Ryder. She’d yet to visit him. While she fully believed in her father’s innocence, she wanted him to understand that he couldn’t control who she wanted to spend her time with.
“Just the two of us,” she went on, loving how Ryder wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Maybe fly to the mountains and get a cozy cabin. Or, if you prefer me in a skimpy suit, we could go to the beach.”
Ryder pulled in a deep breath, and she knew from that second of hesitation that he would make an excuse or give a justifiable reason why they shouldn’t go. She didn’t want to hear all the reasons why this might be a bad idea. All she cared about was why they should escape and put their relationship above all else. But she didn’t want to argue in the few stolen moments they had together.
“It’s okay,” she quickly continued. “I know there’s so much going on and it’s—”
“Not that I don’t want to,” he interjected. “I’d love nothing more than to get away with you for a few days and forget we have a whole host of issues.”
“Then let’s do it,” she urged. “What’s a few days? I swear, every issue will be waiting for us when we return, so we might as well ignore them for a bit.”
Ryder reached up and smoothed her hair from her face. The wind kicked up and wrapped them in the evening summer air. What she wouldn’t give to be somewhere else with him right this moment instead of in Houston where her father was out on bail and no doubt ready to fight, where there was an unidentified dead body that her father was framed in the murder of, and where the whole financial scheme seemed to touch everyone she knew.
When her father caused a mess, he caused a hell of a disaster. She honestly didn’t believe he had killed someone—he wasn’t vicious. He might be egotistical and greedy, but he wasn’t a killer. Still, he had that black cloud looming over him, and she couldn’t help but worry the drama would trickle down onto her.
The feud between her father and her lover...
Angela closed her eyes and rested her head in the crook of Ryder’s neck. She inhaled the familiar scent she only associated with him and attempted to calm herself.
Would they ever just get peace? Could they ever truly be happy or would something, or
someone, constantly be trying to pry them apart?
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
Angela jerked back, unable to stop the smile. “Seriously?”
Ryder covered her lips with his before easing away just enough to reply, “Yes. You deserve it. Hell, we deserve it. Pick the place and I’ll have my jet ready.”
Ryder Currin was a workaholic, but she also knew he’d do anything for her. She thought herself lucky that Ryder wanted to be with her, considering the feud, but that was just a testimony to how strong their bond was. Angela refused to let anyone come between them, including her powerful father. She and Ryder together were a dynamic couple and could forge through anything.
“Better yet,” he amended, “I’ll surprise you. Give me a few days to get things lined up and some work settled and I’ll take you away.”
Angela couldn’t even explain the excitement that rushed through her. Finally, they were going to escape and just be a real couple with no problems. The idea of getting away with Ryder thrilled her and she couldn’t wait to see where he decided to take her.
Her father had pointed out that Ryder was too old for her, but Angela didn’t care about age. She cared about how a man treated her, how he put her first, and Ryder did just that. He was romantic and loving and selfless...exactly what Angela needed in her messy life right now. Not to mention what she wanted in her future.
But, now that her father was home, she couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t double down his efforts to cause trouble and tear them apart. Even if he was under house arrest, Sterling Perry’s arms reached far and wide. When he wanted something, people reacted swiftly and effectively.
Angela nuzzled back into Ryder and already started a mental countdown to their romantic getaway. She refused to let anyone or anything stand in their way of happiness.
* * *
The bastard was out on bail. How the hell could that have happened?
Oh, right. Money. Something I’d never have enough of to simply pay off my sins and make people drop and obey my every command.
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