“Not money,” Sin said. “We’ve got millions and millions. We want answers. Who is our biological father?”
“Some guy.”
“We figured that out on our own. Does he have a name?” Sin gritted his teeth, his patience long gone.
Glaring at them, she said, “Not that I can recall. It could be any number of men. It was a long time ago.”
“Like I said,” Dakota bit out, “she’s dumb as fuck.”
“Why did you give us up?” Sin asked.
She tossed back a mouthful of brandy before setting her glass on the table. Then, she nibbled the inside of her lower lip. “It seems you both turned out well, so what difference does it make?” Her attempt at a smile made Sin want to punch his fist through a fucking wall.
He waited, hoping she’d answer his questions, but she said nothing further. With pursed lips, Dakota just shook his head. A silent Dakota was a dangerous Dakota.
Sin pushed off the sofa, stared out the picture window. “Answer the damn question.”
She sighed. “I gave you up because I didn’t want you. I never wanted children and two sounded like twice as much work. Two sounded like I’d be dirt poor. Two sounded like a burden that would keep me imprisoned in my shitty life forever.”
As Sin turned back around, he slid his gaze to Dakota. His weapon was still pointed at Charlene’s head. And Sin had every confidence his twin wouldn’t think twice about killing her.
“Why. Did. You. Split. Us. Up?” Dakota’s anger intensified with each word.
Her lips curled back, her sinister smile overflowing with evil. “Because I made twice as much money that way.” Charlene’s shrill laugh made Dakota startle while shivers streaked down Sin’s spine. This woman wasn’t just wicked—she was a psychopath.
Tick-tick-tick-tick.
The thundering second hand sounded like a time bomb, preparing to explode.
Dakota had been staring at the floor. “How much?” He lifted his face, hatred pouring from his eyes. “How fucking much?”
“Five thousand each.”
Sin released a low growl. “How could you get away with selling us?”
After Charlene drained the snifter, she pointed at him. “My baby broker told your sappy daddy it was to cover my maternity costs. He wanted you so badly, the broker said he was tempted to raise his asking price.” Again, another creepy laugh blasted the air before Charlene set her sights on Dakota. “You.” She jabbed a finger in Dakota’s direction. “The broker said your parents would have mortgaged their home if they’d had one.” Rising, she glared at both men. “They wanted you in ways I could never understand. Consider it a blessing. I would have made a terrible mother.”
“The worst,” Sin bit out.
“Those transactions, my dearest sons, were the beginning of a most lucrative career. Once I started brokering babies myself, I made so much more.” Pausing, she studied both of them. “If I had known you were going to turn out so well, I would have demanded my broker ask for a helluva lot more.”
Sin’s blood ran cold.
“I won’t kill you,” Dakota said, “but only because you need to pay for your crimes.”
“I won’t go to prison,” Charlene said. “My lawyers have struck a deal.”
This time, the men smiled at each other. Sin had the power to make damn sure she would pay for what she’d done.
“That’s what you think.” He glared at her for a long moment before eyeing Dakota. “I won’t spend another minute with this witch. You know I hate wasting time.”
Dakota’s sincere smile signaled he’d reeled in the rage that drove him to kill. “I do, brother. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Good talking with you, Mother,” Sin said. “We’ll have to do it again, real soon.”
Dakota walked out without another word. When Sin got to the doorway, he turned and opened his sport coat, revealing a wire and a mic. Then, he flashed her a grin.
“You bastards!” Charlene screamed as Sin shut the front door.
