“You did what? What the fuck, Doc? Why didn’t you ask me before doing this?” I say, jumping up from my seat.
Doc cringes guiltily. “I know, I know, I should have spoken to you first,” he says, holding up his hands in surrender. “But you know how Cole gets. He wanted to do it sooner, but we told him not to. However, Mary Beth’s claim that the kid was Zeke’s decided it for him. He had to know what we’re dealing with when it comes to the Iron Vultures.”
I do. I’m going to have serious words with Cole about this. He might be the president, and I know how much of a control freak he can be, but this is on a whole new level. “Cole,” I shout angrily.
Cole appears from the other room. He looks between Doc and me. “So, he told you about the paternity test.”
“Yes. You had no right to meddle. This is between Lena and me. She told me that Mia isn’t mine, and I trust her. Conducting this test without her permission is a massive violation of her trust. She’s already considering leaving. How doyou think she’ll react if she finds out about this? I thought you had feelings for her? That you wanted her to stay?”
“I do. I know it was wrong of me. I just thought Mia looked so like you, and I was suspicious. Then, I had to know if she was Zeke’s or not, if that’s what he wants,” Cole admits. I know he finds it hard to trust people. That, after her disappearance three years ago, and her history with Zeke and the Iron Vultures, he would have done his research to make sure that Lena wasn’t lying to us.
“Fucking hell, what a mess,” I mutter. “Does it even matter if Mia is Zeke’s? We’re not just gonna hand her over to him, are we?”
“Of course not, I just wanted to have all the information to hand. It’s better to be informed than blindsided by the enemy.”
“So, do you want to know the results?” Doc tentatively asks.
I stop pacing, looking sharply at Doc. “You know the results?”
He shakes his head. “No, we didn’t think it was right for us to see them before you, but we have them.”
I should refuse. I should trust Lena. But the temptation is too strong.
“Fuck, I’m going to regret this,” I curse. “Give them to me.”
Doc retrieves the envelope and hands it over. My heart hammers in my chest, and I try to tell myself this is all ridiculous, that I know it’s going to say Mia’s not mine. Yet, still…
I open the envelope and pull out the results.
“What does it say?” Cole asks eagerly when I stand there staring, dumbstruck.
“I’m the father. Mia is my daughter.”
Chapter 15
Lena
The angry knock at my door heralds the argument to come. When I see Rex’s face, I know instinctively what’s gotten him so upset.
“What’s happened?” I ask.
“When were you gonna tell me about my daughter?”
I knew this was something that we’d have to talk about, but I thought I had time. Somehow, he knows about Mia.
I slip out of the room, shutting the door behind me. “Let’s go downstairs. Mia’s sleeping.”
Thankfully, he isn’t so angry that he cannot fulfill my request. He nods, jaw clenched tight, his face furrowed with fury, and turns to stomp back downstairs, not bothering to check if I am following behind.
I spot Doc sitting sheepishly in the living room. Judge must still be out on business, and I heard Cole leave only moments ago; the familiar sound of his motorcycle rumbling away.
Rex stalks into the kitchen and turns to look at me. “Why didn’t you tell me Mia is my child?” he asks outright.
I hesitate, wondering how to respond. I decide on the truth. “I wasn’t one hundred percent certain.”
“Even if you weren’t sure, you should have told me there was a possibility.”
“I didn’t…”
