“If this incident was top secret and it was hidden from the public eye, how the hell did Evan find out?” Dante questioned, looking directly at his eldest brother.
Evan stared back at Dante, his eyes neutral. “There aren’t many areas where I don’t have contacts.” He shrugged mysteriously.
Jared let go of Mara’s hand and stood, making his way slowly to his sister. “We weren’t there for you then, but we are now. Hug me, dammit,” he insisted gruffly.
Tears streaming down her face, Mara bit her lip as Jason let go of his wife, a tearful Hope rising to fling herself into Jared’s arms. “I’m so sorry. I love you all so much,” Hope sobbed as she clung to her youngest brother.
Everyone else except Evan rose, including the women, and passed Hope around for heartfelt hugs of forgiveness and love.
Although Evan watched every moment of the reunion, he never moved to hug his sister, or to join in the family rebonding.
He remained alone.
CHAPTER 17
“You have an incredible family,” Mara told Jared an hour or two after Hope’s revelation had shaken up the entire clan of Sinclairs. Although Evan tried not to appear affected by any of it, Mara knew better. While the rest of the family had been able to talk things out, hug each other in forgiveness and support, Evan had been brooding by himself. There was no healing for Evan, and her heart ached for him.
“I’ve missed them,” Jared admitted in a low, thoughtful voice as he watched the whole bunch of Sinclairs around him laughing and teasing each other about everything from childhood exploits to their sports team preferences. “I just wished I had known about Hope.”
“Nobody did. Evan didn’t even know until it was over. I’m glad she showed everybody her work. You should be proud of her. She’s talented,” Mara told him thoughtfully.
Hope had brought up her portfolio online after every Sinclair had insisted on seeing it. They’d all spent some time marveling at her talent, and Mara could see that Hope was relieved and pleased that her family could finally acknowledge her career. Although Hope was now done shooting extreme weather and chasing natural disasters around the world, she was still building her name in nature photography. And in Mara’s opinion, she was damn good at it.
“Jared? Somebody is here for you. She says she’s an old acquaintance of yours.” Emily hovered near where they were seated on the couch, her face appearing uncertain.
The doorbell had rung a few minutes ago, and Emily had hopped up, Grady right behind her protectively, to see who was visiting. Since the family was all here, and the Peninsula was private, he’d acted concerned. Obviously, they hadn’t been expecting any more guests.
The room grew quiet, all eyes on Jared. “Who is it?” he asked, appearing confused.
It’s a she? He isn’t seeing anyone else right now. He told me he isn’t.
Mara’s heart started to race, her fear that it was an old flame that he’d taken to his bed who had tracked him down making a cold chill move slowly down her spine.
He wouldn’t lie to me. He wouldn’t. Even if it is an old flame, he isn’t sleeping with her now.
Emily stepped aside, and a haggard-looking woman stepped up. “It’s me. I’m sorry to intrude, but I had to see you.” The older female was nervous, wringing her hands as she stood in front of Jared.
Mara turned her head in time to see a flash of intense pain cross over Jared’s expression. She very much doubted that the relationship was sexual. The woman was old enough to be his mother, but judging from Jared’s reaction, he obviously knew her.
“Mrs. Olsen?” Jared’s voice cracked as he acknowledged her.
For the first time, Evan rose and strode over to the couch. “Ah . . . it seems to be the night for family skeletons to come out of the closet. But not this particular secret, and not tonight. You, madam, may leave immediately or I’ll call the police and have you thrown out.” The eldest Sinclair brother’s voice was chillier than Antarctica.
“The police are already here,” Dante growled as he rose and stood next to Evan. “What the hell is going on?”
“Who is she?” Mara asked breathlessly, sensing the tension in Jared’s body.
“Selena’s mother,” Jared ground out painfully.
Mara vaulted to her feet, unable to contain her fury that this woman had actually sought Jared out after all he’d been through, after everything he’d done to protect her feelings in the past. She gritted her teeth as she spoke. “I’m sorry you lost your daughter, but Jared has been through enough over the years. Enough! Now leave.” She wasn’t letting this woman anywhere near Jared, and she stepped between them, essentially blocking Jared’s vision so he didn’t have to look at the woman who had slapped him down and blamed him for her daughter’s death.
“I’m not here to hurt him again,” the woman said nervously, anxiously.
“Then why are you here?” Mara demanded to know.