Читать книгу The By Request Collection - Kate Hardy - Страница 13

Three

“Tell me this is your idea and you’re not being persuaded by a woman you should consider our enemy.”

Graham eyed his brother, hating how much this paternity issue was eating away at them. They both just wanted answers...answers Sutton had, but refused to share. The man was dying. Why was he now choosing to be loyal to Cynthia? He hadn’t chosen her years ago, so this sudden burst of emotion was completely out of character.

And Brooks’s actions were also out of character. “This isn’t you,” Graham stated, eyeing his twin. “Being vindictive. I know you’re reacting out of frustration and hurt, but attacking Sutton in the media isn’t the way to deal with it.”

Brooks grabbed a tumbler from behind the bar in his study and poured two fingers of bourbon. Gripping the glass, he stared down at the contents as if weighing his actions. Eve wasn’t forcing Graham to do anything. What she said made sense, and Graham knew his brother wasn’t a hateful man. Brooks was fair, honest and loyal...quite the opposite of Sutton Winchester.

“Are you sleeping with her?”

The quietly spoken question hovered in the air. Brooks didn’t even look up, but Graham felt the punch to the gut just the same as if his brother had shouted the question.

“Are you going to ease off with the media?” Graham countered. “If you want Eve to cooperate, or any her sisters, we can’t come at them like we’re coming in for the kill.”

Graham winced at his poor choice of words considering the state of the old man. But still, Nora, Grace and Eve weren’t to blame. They didn’t choose to be born to a man as evil and self-righteous as Sutton.

Brooks tipped back the contents and slammed his glass down onto the polished mahogany bar. “You can’t be loyal to your lover and to your family. Your promiscuous ways are going to bite you in the ass.”

Graham paced across the room to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city below. This penthouse suite was perfect for a bachelor with a busy lifestyle. “I’ve gotten along just fine in my professional and personal life without your input.”

“If you think getting into bed with a Winchester isn’t going to do damage to our family, you’re even more blindsided by lust than I first thought. Didn’t we agree you’d stay away from her?”

Graham fisted his hands at his side. This was his brother, his twin. They were so similar, yet different. Brooks was the outgoing type, the go-getter, the grounded brother. Graham was definitely outgoing and a go-getter, but he also enjoyed a good time, a good woman. He’d been told often that his quiet charm won him cases and had women falling at his feet. He was just fine with that assessment.

But Graham wasn’t ready to give up what he and Eve were doing. Why should he? He’d never experienced anything like Eve before and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Sutton Winchester’s will come between them. He’d find a way to make everything work, play the peacemaker and get the job done. Isn’t that what he excelled at?

“We didn’t agree on anything,” Graham stated. “Eve and I are adults. I know where my loyalties are and I won’t let anything stand in the way of getting Carson what is rightfully his and getting Sutton to tell us the name of our father. But attacking him in the press isn’t the way to go. We need to go in with a milder approach, for a stronger impact.”

Brooks quirked a brow. “And how do you suggest doing that?”

Pulling in a breath, Graham turned from the window. “Stop the press war and put a hold on the legal proceedings.”

Brooks opened his mouth, but Graham lifted his hand. “Leave this to me. We want Sutton to suffer, but not necessarily his daughters. They’ll be hurt, but we can make it less of a blow to them. Sutton is still alive, so as long as he is, we go straight to him. Play hardball with him. Introduce the evidence Roman has discovered and let Sutton make a choice. Tell him we’ll go to the media with all the facts, and the lineup of women claiming to have a child by him, or he can put Carson in his will as a beneficiary and give him his share. I’m demanding he give us the name of our father no matter what he chooses to do about the other issues. I refuse to back down on that.”

Brooks raked his thumb back and forth on his glass of bourbon, considering all the options. Graham knew he could make this work. He knew Eve would see his side so long as they quit attacking her father. Damn, but he admired her loyalty. Graham just wished she didn’t have to be so faithful to such a bastard.

“We’ll try your way.” Brooks came around the bar, leaned an elbow on top and shot Graham a look. “But you better remember what team you’re fighting for.”

Graham nodded. “I never forget who I’m fighting for. Carson and you are my top priorities.”

Brooks nodded. “Good. I have another topic I want to discuss.”

“Does it require more bourbon?”

With a shrug, Brooks crossed the room and took a seat on the leather sofa. “I want to talk to Sutton. In person.”

Inwardly cringing, Graham glanced toward the ceiling and wondered why he was surprised. Brooks was a man on a mission. He was determined.

“You want to leave the girls out of this, fine. For now,” Brooks added, aiming a hard look at his twin. “But the three of us—Carson, you, me—we’re going to talk to Sutton. He’s growing weaker every day and I know it may be cruel to go to him and put the pressure on, but we have to try.”

Their mother had passed just months ago, taking the secret of who fathered them to her grave. Graham had no idea why she didn’t tell them. At first, he’d thought for sure Sutton was their father and she’d been afraid, ashamed. But the DNA test had come back, proving Sutton had only fathered Carson, leaving Brooks and Graham confused and hurt.

While they yearned to know who their father was, Graham was elated that old bastard wasn’t his. Not to mention the fact that it had left the path wide open to seduce Eve the night of the charity ball for the children’s hospital. He’d gotten the results right before the gala. Eve had shown up wearing a body-hugging gold gown. That honey-brown hair she’d piled perfectly on top of her head came tumbling down all around him when he’d finally gotten her to his penthouse. They’d barely survived the cab ride.

“I’ll go with you,” Graham stated, pulling himself back into the moment. He needed to be strong for his brothers, needed them to know they were a team. “Sutton isn’t as strong as he used to be.”

Brooks sent a malevolent grin. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

* * *

After a long day, exhaustion finally won. Eve nearly wept as she submerged herself in the soaker tub in her master suite. All the symptoms of her first pregnancy had come back full force: the need to rest at all times, the nausea that slammed into her with no warning, the emotions that were all over the place. Just trying to keep herself in check at work today had been trying. When someone from a newly acquired company in Barcelona offered condolences for Eve’s father, she nearly lost it. Thankfully they had only been chatting on the phone and not via video conference because the tears welled up in her eyes and flowed, but Eve managed to clear her throat, offer thanks and keep her tone neutral.

Why were people acting like he was already gone? That was the part that completely gutted her. He was very much alive, though his health was failing.

Her hand slid down through the lavender-scented bubbles to rest on her flat stomach. Babies were a blessing. The innocence they injected into your life couldn’t be matched. Eve wanted to tell her father, wanted to be excited about this new life, but first she had to talk to Graham.

Keeping their child from being a victim in this family war was going to be a struggle, but she refused to believe it was impossible. She knew Graham was loyal to his family—that much was obvious. But how would he react to this child? How would he treat her?

She didn’t want him to hover, didn’t want him to assume she wanted him as a permanent fixture in her life. She had a plan, goals, a career that was taking off better than she’d ever anticipated.

Tears pricked her eyes. She didn’t want this career at the expense of her father’s health, his life. She’d taken over as president when he could no longer run Elite Industries.

When her cell chimed, Eve jumped. She should’ve left the thing in her purse, but she’d been carrying it around like a pacifier lately...because one day she’d get the inevitable call about her father.

The cell lay on the edge of the tub surround. Eve glanced at the screen and saw Nora’s name. Worried this might have something to do with her dad, Eve dried her hands off on her towel and quickly read the text.

Relief slid through her when she saw it was just a Halloween party invitation. Sounded fun. In terms of costumes, Eve could go as an overworked, worn down, emotional mess. Maybe she could go in her pajamas with bed hair to really play up the part.

Eve shot back a quick reply to tell her sister she’d be there. Asking if Graham could come as her date probably wasn’t the smart thing to do.

Wait. Why was she thinking of taking him anywhere as her date? They weren’t dating, they were...

Eve dropped her head against her bath pillow and groaned. She didn’t know what they were exactly and that’s what annoyed her. She had her life all mapped out with color-coded tabs to tell her when and where to do everything. She prided herself on being efficient, planning everything and knowing exactly what was coming her way.

What she hadn’t planned on was the onslaught of desire associated with Graham Newport. One look led to another, then to flirting, which was put on hold when they both realized her father had been involved with his mother. The second they knew Sutton wasn’t Graham’s father, all bets had been off, all warnings from family ignored.

Eve hadn’t been able to get Graham alone fast enough that first night after the children’s hospital gala, and from the way he practically tore her dress off her, the feeling was mutual.

That had to have been when she got pregnant. She’d only switched her birth control a week before, thinking it was a safe time since she wasn’t seeing anyone. They’d been all over each other before condoms were mentioned, but she’d assured him she was on the pill and they’d quickly had the “I’m clean” conversation.

Thinking back now, Eve realized he would blame her for this pregnancy. She’d assured him she was covered, that they were safe. Well, he could blame her all he wanted, so long as this child remained unaffected by any wrath from the Newports.

When her cell chimed again, Eve jerked from her relaxed position. Even though her body was calm and resting, her mind never shut off. She zeroed in on the screen and saw Graham’s name this time. Once again, she dried her hands and checked his message, cursing herself for acting like a teenager.

Meet me at my penthouse. 30 min.

Eve gritted her teeth. While some may go for the demanding attitude, she did not. Besides, she was exhausted. If she could sleep in this warm bubble bath and not drown, she would.

Because she didn’t want him to think she jumped when he texted, though she did, Eve set her phone back down without replying. There was no reason to pretend that the thought of Graham didn’t have her body humming, but now she had to be realistic. She was expecting his child, and she was entering into a battle over her father... Sex couldn’t be the main thread that held them together at this point.

Eve closed her eyes for just a moment, needing to push aside all the fears, all the questions, and just relax. Her doctor told her to try to take as much downtime as possible. Even if she could grab five minutes here and there, she would have to for the sake of the baby and her own health.

All too easily she could let her mind drift into the worry of whether she was carrying a healthy baby, but she wanted to focus on the positive. Would she have a boy or a girl? Would her baby have Graham’s striking aqua eyes and her honey hair? One thing was for sure—this child would be strong-willed, determined and take charge, all qualities she and Graham possessed.

Eve’s mind went to the nursery, and she instantly envisioned Nora and Grace helping her decorate. She could hire a decorator, but this wasn’t a kitchen or bathroom job. No, Eve would take a hands-on approach to her baby’s room.

The water had cooled, but Eve was still content to just lie there and relax. The quiet of her home was a welcome reprieve. She’d been in meetings all day, had made numerous decisions regarding offices in several different countries. She wasn’t one to have idle time, but she had to admit this felt amazing.

She definitely had to listen to her body, and her body was tired and in need of some downtime.

“Eve.”

Water sloshed as she jerked and opened her eyes to see Graham standing in the door separating her bedroom from the bath. Her heart beat out of control in her chest. He’d scared the hell out of her.

She blinked, realizing she’d fallen asleep. The water chilled her now and she shivered as she started to get up.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping from the tub to reach for the towel from the heated bar. “How did you get in?”

His eyes raked over her, causing her chills to multiply for a totally different reason. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago.”

Eve wrapped herself in the towel and secured the edge between her breasts. She’d been asleep that long? Maybe she was more tired than she’d thought.

“First, I never agreed to meet you after you demanded it.” She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes when his gaze dipped to her cleavage. “Second, you didn’t tell me how you got into my house.”

One slow step turned into two and suddenly he was in front of her. His fingertips trailed up her bare arms and shivers wracked her body. Without a word, he tipped his head to rake his lips lightly across her jawline. Eve fisted her hands at her sides. She wanted to clutch him and give in to what he was obviously offering, but she had to think with her head, too.

“You smell amazing,” he muttered as his mouth continued to explore her skin. “I worried when you didn’t show up.”

Eve cursed herself when her head tipped back. With this man, she didn’t have control over her body. The fact that he worried about her warmed her, but she couldn’t think like that. They weren’t in a relationship. In fact, last time she’d talked to him, they were more divided than ever.

“Graham.” She pushed at his chest. “We can’t do this.”

Her slight shove did nothing to budge him. Wrapping his arms around her, he met her eyes.

“Brooks and I have an unspoken understanding.”

Eve narrowed her gaze, waiting for him to elaborate. “And that’s him keeping his investigator out of my family’s business?” she asked when it was clear he wasn’t going to go into detail.

“He’s staying out of this for now. I don’t want to talk about my brothers or your father.” He nipped at her lips. “Trust me, Eve. I won’t hurt you.”

Trust him. Oh, how she wished she could. She had a secret she wasn’t ready to reveal and he wanted her trust. And he may not intend to hurt her, but he was hell-bent on destroying her father, which in turn would most definitely hurt her.

With an expert flick, he had her towel open and gliding to the floor before she could stop him. Every intimate encounter before now had been frenzied, frantic, clothes flying and lips exploring. Something about this slow seduction in her bathroom seemed even more...intimate. Were they crossing a line or was she just reading into this?

“Stop thinking,” he demanded in a whisper against her ear. “Feel, Eve. Only feel.”

As if she had any other choice.