Assandria, Alphonso mentally whispered trying to recall where he’d heard the name then remembered the woman he’d met at the party given by one of his top clients, Carter James. “I…” he started taking her hand, shaking it quickly before releasing.
“No need to introduce yourself, I know everything about you.”
“Really,” he said a bit shocked.
“Well, all the important things,” Cristyn said as her eyes trailed up and down his body stopping at his face.
At any other time, Alphonso might have flirted back, but he wasn’t in the mood. He was there for business and not pleasure.
“Miss Brice, I was told my daughter is here waiting for me.”
“I see you’re a man that likes to get straight to the point.”
“It would be better if we stick to business.”
“Not to worry, Mister Vale, you are handsome, but I’m not interested.”
“Good to know.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds before Cristyn spoke. “Let’s go into my office.”
“Where’s my daughter?” Alphonso said as they started walking.
“Not going to question that she’s yours?”
“No, strong family traits are hard to deny.”
“I see,” she said looking back at him. “Tamia is with my assistant, and once we are done with all the formal paperwork, you will be able to take her home.”
“Tamia?”
“Tamia Rosemary Vale,” Cristyn said causing Alphonso to gasp. “I believe she said that was your grandmother’s name.”
“Is,” Alphonso whispered. “She’s still alive.”
“I stand corrected.”
They got to her office, and Alphonso dropped down in his chair. Looking down at his clasped fingers he was preparing for what to come.
“Assandria knew she was going to die and had hoped to have told you everything before the day came. But things didn’t work out the way she planned.”
“What was wrong with her?” he asked looking at Cristyn.
Alphonso tried to recall if he scented anything was wrong with her the night they met, and nothing came to mind.
“She had a degenerative disease of the nervous system. She thought she was getting better, but after Assandria found out she was pregnant, things got worse. She had it since she was a child and no form of magic spells, charms, or potions was able to heal her. She was a gifted witch and was able to heal everyone else but herself.”
Alphonso’s eyes widened. “You knew she was a witch?”
“Mister Vale, no, Alphonso, I know more than you think. You are the son of Kayne and Synder Vale, two men who’ve made a name for themselves as celebrity bodyguards. A werewolf and a vampire, funny fairy tales aren’t all lies, are they?”
Alphonso was still trying to figure out how the woman knew what his parents were. Raising his head in the air, he sniffed, and for the first time, he realized that Cristyn Brice wasn’t human she was a shifter.
An Eagle.Gods, am I that unfocused that I hadn’t realized she was a shifter this entire time?
“You finally realized I’m a shifter?”
Alphonso didn’t need to respond. She saw the answer on his face.
