"There's no doubt the child is yours." Her sister chimed in quietly, shaken by his words and the look on his face. They were both molded from the same cloth. She had used her looks and position to flirt and toy with men.
But there was a slight difference with her. She had taken men to her bed discriminately. In the midst of her attempt to conquer the opposite sex, she had always been reminded of her last name. No married men, no unwanted pregnancy, which was a no-no.
"Yes, she is." He turned to look at her. "I'm going to give her allowances. I hurt her, Kat. Left her without a word.
No promises were ever made." He smiled grimly. "I always made certain of that. Flirtation, rising passion and then making love. If I'm interested beyond that night, I would consider extending the 'privilege of myself' for longer.
But it was always about me. I called the bloody shots. Now it's come back to bite me in the ass, in spades. First in Italy and now this."
Lifting a hand, he rubbed the back of his neck wearily. "So, I'm going to give her allowances, but I intend to be in my daughter's life."
"I'm anxious to be a kick ass aunt." She warned him. He sent her an impatient look.
"Please don't do anything we'll both regret."
"Such as?"
"Such as marching to the bookstore to have it out with her. This is my problem, and I will deal with it."
"Do it fast." She advised silkily. At his heated look, she continued. "Darling, you know as well as I do that our parents will wait so long before they act themselves."
He sighed, the weight of the situation pressing on his shoulders. "I know. I won't let things spiral out of control, not if I can help it." The tension in the room lingered, heavy with unspoken fears and regrets, but beneath it all was a current of determination.
No matter the mistakes of the past, he was resolved to make things right for his daughter's sake. Even if it meant facing uncomfortable truths and making amends he never thought he'd have to.
"You've seen her, what's she like?"
His expression softened. "Christ! She's beautiful of course and friendly, too bloody friendly. She came right up to me to introduce herself. And she is lively and happy."
His expression sobered. "She's a happy child. Apparently not having a father in her life has not affected her one bit." He leaned against the cold glass. "I have to wonder if having one will change all that. What the hell am I supposed to say to her?"
Rising gracefully, Katherine came over and wrapped him in her arms, tipping her face to his shoulder. "You'll know exactly what to say when the time comes."
Chapter 7
"You took your time."
Frowning at her tone, Andre glanced around the room at the other occupants.
"I was... occupied. Grandma, why are you here? What's this about?"
"Might I interest you in a cup of coffee, son?"
"No thanks, Dad. I have to be in court--" He glanced at his watch. "Another thirty minutes. What's this?"
Abigail stirred restlessly and went to the sideboard to refill her cup. "Kincaid Tyrell wants to take my daughter away from me."
"Abby." The mild reproof came from her mother. "We always speak truth in this family."
"Okay, fine. He wants to meet her."
"He found out." Andre shrugged out of his suit jacket and wondered if he should call and have an associate fill in for him. This looked like it was going to be a long one. "How?"
"I saw him at that charity event a few nights ago. He approached me and wanted us to go out for coffee. I turned him down."
"Naturally."
She sent him a grateful look. "I also told him where he could get off and avoided him the rest of the evening." She took a fortified sip and wandered around the room.
