TARA
"You weren't kidding. You can really sing," Chloe says, a warm smile illuminating her pretty face. When I don't respond, she catches the direction of my gaze.
"Jason's here..." I begin weakly.
"Yes," Chloe says, not understanding the situation.
"He and Miss Swain really hit it off at the dinner party,” she continues. “But why are you so surprised? I know he upset you that night with that silly game of footsie under the dinner table, but?—"
"It's not that," I say, shaking my head. "Sorry, I need to have a word with Cameron."
I tear myself away from my friend and find Cameron chatting with Mindy, the violinist from the opera troupe. They both turn to me with genuine smiles.
"My dear," says Mindy, "what an amazing voice. Why didn't you tell us? You are certainly destined for stardom."
"Thank you," I say, already pulling Cameron away. "I'm sorry, but I need to speak to Cameron for a minute."
When we're alone and can't be overheard, I speak. "Jason's here! He's up to something, Cameron."
Cameron's face darkens as he spots Jason talking to Miss Swain. But before Cameron can say a word, Jason's voice carries across the room:
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?"
"It's happening," I whisper to myself.
Every conversation dies as Jason positions himself in the center of Miss Swain's elegant living room.
"I have an announcement to make." Jason gestures toward where Posey sits with the twins.
"Come on over to your Uncle Jason, Posey, like a good girl."
Posey walks over, with Edison padding behind her. Jason puts a heavy hand on her shoulder.
Cameron moves instinctively toward his daughter, but I gently hold him back.
"I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been a proper uncle to my niece. My own blood," Jason announces, his politician's smile never wavering. "And I'm going to change that, starting now."
People in the crowd murmur.
“Tonight, I'm formally announcing my suit for custody of my niece. On the grounds that Cameron is an unfit father."
Jason’s eyes find Cameron across the room. "That is, if he's hergenuine father at all."
Murmurs grow louder around the room. I look to where Salty stands with Miss Swain. The old fisherman clenches his fists in anger, but I can't identify the expression on Miss Swain's face.
"The paternity test was inconclusive," Jason continues smoothly. "My sister was a troubled girl. Everyone here knew her growing up. As a young woman, she was reckless. Promiscuous. Posey's father could be anyone. Cameron is not my niece's biological father, and I will prove it."
I restrain Cameron once again. Posey moves as if to escape Jason's tight grip.
"Aside from the fact that he's a rockstar with all of a rockstar's sordid ways, Cameron Crow associates with known criminals. He has a violent temper. We all witnessed this yesterday after he nearly physically assaulted an innocent fan who wanted to take his picture. This violent rockstar destroyed the innocent man's camera, causing thousands of dollars of damage."
As I look around the room, Jason seems to be doing a good job of gaining the sympathy of Miss Swain’s guests.
"And the savage rockstar keeps odd company," Jason continues, his voice carrying across the silent room. "This so-called nanny living in my family’s home. This woman who has the responsibility of caring for my sweet niece. Has a violent history as a pugnacious juvenile delinquent."
Gasps sound around the room. Everyone's attention turns to me. Heat floods my face. Cameron narrows his eyes as he puts a warm, protective hand around my shoulder.
"What are you talking about?" he calls out.
