Stunned silence fell. “What the fuck...?” Bran said.
“Half brother, technically. Bass was his father. Amelia Winston was his mother.”
Chase sat back in his chair, trying to wrap his head around it. “So Dad was cheating on Mom with Knox’s wife?”
“According to Dad, it was a one-night stand. Just an accident, really. He and Knox were attending some kind of business conference. He met Amelia there, then a week later he ran into her at a Christmas party at the Adolphus Hotel. He and Mom were fighting, as usual, so she wasn’t with him. Knox was out of town.”
“Convenient,” Chase said.
“According to Dad, Amelia was upset about the way Knox was treating her. She cried on Dad’s shoulder, and they ended getting a room upstairs. The next day, both of them regretted what happened and that was the end of it.”
“Except that Amelia Winston got pregnant,” Chase said.
“Yes.”
“So all those years, Dad just ignored his son,” Bran said darkly.
“Not exactly. Dad knew Amelia would suffer if Knox found out. He promised her he’d never tell, and he didn’t.”
“He should have helped Michael,” Chase said. “Michael was his son.”
“Actually, he did. How do you think Michael got the loan to start his business? With his drug history, it would have been a no go if it hadn’t been for Dad. Dad hated the way Knox treated him.”
Chase started nodding. “I remember Dad was always nice to Michael whenever he came over, interested in what he was doing, what he had to say.”
“As I look back on it,” Reese said, “I think Knox knew Michael wasn’t his. It was one of the reasons he hated Dad so much.”
“And the reason he treated Michael so badly,” Chase added.
“Probably,” Reese said. “But it would have made things worse for Amelia—worse for Michael, too—if Dad had come out and told the truth.”
Bran took a long swallow of beer. “I gotta say I didn’t see this one coming.”
“Neither did I,” Chase said.
Bran’s gaze swung in his direction. “Maybe that’s why you and Michael became such good friends when you were in college. DNA’s a funny thing.”
Yes, it was.
Bran grinned. “Lucky for you, Harper’s no relation. Different mother, different father.”
Chase almost smiled.
“I’m glad she came to you for help after Michael disappeared,” Reese said.
Chase nodded. “So am I.” And thinking about it, he was beginning to understand why Reese had decided to call this meeting. “I’m guessing that’s the reason we’re here. You’re worried Michael may still be in danger.”
Reese sat forward. “Bran told me about the DEA investigation. I knew about Michael’s kidnapping. Now Harper’s being followed. It all revolves around Knox Winston. Michael’s our brother. We need to make sure he’s safe.”
Bran shot up from the sofa. “I’ll take care of Michael. I’ve got a problem I need to handle first, but I can be in Houston tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve got a friend who can keep an eye on him till I get there.” Bran strode to the door, stopped and turned back. “You think I should tell him?”
Chase looked at Reese and silent agreement passed between them.
“I think it’s time,” Reese said.
Bran disappeared out the door, and Reese blew out a slow breath. “Man, it’s a relief to get that off my chest after all these years.”
“I’ll bet,” Chase said. “We should probably set up some kind of a trust fund or something.”
