“I’m afraid we’re past what we all want at this point,” he says.
I scoff and shove past him. “You didn’t do your research if you thought for a second I was capable of being manipulated like this. Whatever she was that you were used to, don’t expect the same from me. People around here may see you as one man, but I see another. I owe you no loyalty, and your sons have mine. You don’t get a free pass. I don’t give a shit what you like to pretend your last name is.” I let my eyes run over his form before bringing them back to his. “I hope you spend some time with your boys, Mr. Brayshaw, like real time. It won’t take you long to realize they won’t put up with lies. Not even yours. You wanted fierce, strong, determined men? You’ve got them.” I shrug. “Time will tell if it was the wrong move on your part or not.”
“I’m not done talking.”
“Well, I’m done listening.”
His expression remains blank as I turn and walk out the front door, leaving it open so he hears the words I know will leave Maddoc next.
“Good?” he asks.
I nod. “Just another day in the life of rich and crazy, twisted bullshit.”
“What does that mean?” Maddoc glares.
“Apparently, your daddy has a secret he doesn’t want me to share with you.”
Every muscle in their faces goes slack.
I look at Rolland over my shoulder, who, shocker, has moved closer to the door.
“Fuck you and your ultimatum. You may have had her in your pocket, but you’ll never have me.”
My brows snap together when an instant grin splits his lips and he claps.
He fucking claps.
My mouth drops open.
“Thank you, Raven.”
“For?”
“For being everything they believed. They trust you with all they are, and it seems they were right too.”
“So what, this was a test you all agreed to?” I spin to glare at the boys.
“No, no.” Rolland regains my attention, shaking his head. “I told them I wasn’t sure you could be trusted, but they were quick to defend you. The four of you building loyalty without the pressure of having to is exactly what I had hoped for.”
“Other than getting out of prison?” I sass.
Royce laughs and Rolland’s lip twitches.
“Other than that.”
Rolland looks to his sons. “As much as I’d love to watch you boys play, I need you guys to keep my homecoming quiet until after the championship game. Donley Graven will be there, and I’m hoping to catch him off guard in a few days.”
“Why?” Maddoc pushes.
“I have some things to get in order before I go to him.”
“What things?” Royce questions.
Rolland grins. “We’ll discuss everything soon, boys.”
“I have a daughter,” Captain rushes out, out of fucking nowhere.
Everyone freezes and dead silence surrounds us.
My eyes slice from Cap to Rolland in complete shock.
Shoulders wide and strong, held high with his chin, Captain stares into the eyes of the man he loves like a father but hid his deepest secret from in order to protect his baby girl.
All thoughts melt from Rolland’s face and his shoulders fall. His eyes grow soft as the corner of his mouth lifts into a sad smile.
He nods, speaking low, “I know, son.”
Both Royce and Maddoc tense while Captain’s frown grows sharper.
“What do you mean, you know?” Cap asks him. “You never once asked about her.”
“And you never once mentioned her,” he says quietly and Captain drops his eyes to the floor, looking back up while Rolland steps closer. “The first call I made on my way home was to our attorneys. The papers are being drafted as we speak.”
“Papers?” Cap’s voice cracks and I move to grip his forearm.
His free hand comes up to rest on my side.
“It’s time she comes home, son.”
Cap’s grip tightens and I imagine his face is stricken with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, but I don’t look. Something tells me he wouldn’t want me to see.
“Can it really happen?” Royce asks quietly, stepping toward his dad. “She can come home?”
There is nothing worse than false hope.
“It can and it will.” Rolland makes his way down, clapping Royce’s shoulders on his way but stopping beside Captain and me.
He glances at me a moment before turning to Cap. “It will take a little bit of time, few weeks maybe, but she will be here soon. I promise you.”
Cap starts shaking and his head drops to rest against mine.
“I have a designer ready as well, she’s simply waiting for your call to discuss setting up a room fit for her. I was hoping to talk to you about this tonight.”
Cap releases me, shifting to hug his dad, and his brothers move, patting his back.
They stand like that a minute, before stepping away.
Maddoc quickly grabs me and pulls me against him while Cap moves for the SUV.
Rolland nods at the four of us and heads back inside.
Together, we leave for school, the three of them seemingly a little lighter than before while I’m growing more heavy by the second.
The lunch bell rings and I stand from my seat but drop back down when Cap looks up at me with troubled eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Got a call from Dad’s lawyers already,” he tells us.
“When?”
“About an hour ago.”
“And?”
“They want me to come down and do another paternity test for Zo.” He looks between us. “Says some shit about it needing to be done the legal way.”
“So do it.” I frown.
“Where the fuck was this guy when we needed him for this shit?” Royce mumbles.
Cap scoffs. “Maybe if I wasn’t such a scared bitch about it and talked to Dad from the get-go, he’d have helped me, and she’d have been here all along.”
“Cap—” Maddoc starts but he raises a hand.