Читать книгу The By Request Collection - Kate Hardy - Страница 17

Seven

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Carson threw his cards down onto the green felt and leaned back in his seat. “You’re moping like a woman.”

Graham wasn’t in the mood for company, let alone playing poker and chatting with his brothers. But when Carson had stopped by earlier, he’d apparently picked up on Graham’s doldrums right away and called for reinforcements, texting Brooks to come, as well. Now here they all were.

Graham proudly laid down his royal flush and raked in the chips. Maybe he wasn’t in the mood, but he’d been on a winning streak. After sorting the chips by color and putting them away, Graham got to his feet and took his empty tumbler back to the built-in bar.

“I’m done here.” Graham refilled his glass with his favorite bourbon. “I’ll go put on The Maltese Falcon.”

They had an ongoing tradition that stretched back to a time when they lived with their mother and Gerty. Gerty introduced them to the Hollywood classics and insisted they watch them together. To this day, they continued to honor her tradition.

Graham missed her. She was a strong woman, a woman who refused to let life knock her down, and she’d do anything to help others. His mother had been just as strong. A lump formed in his throat as he slid his fingers over the remote to start the movie. Each day seemed to be better than the last, but he knew he’d always feel the void from the loss of Gerty and his mother.

Graham had so many questions now that his mother was gone. She’d been single, pregnant and scared when she’d come to Chicago. Had she even told Graham and Brooks’s father that they existed? Had he knowingly turned his back on her or did he have no clue he’d fathered twin boys?

These were questions Graham may never have an answer to. Cynthia took her secrets to her grave. The truth would be something he and Brooks would have to uncover all on their own. At least they had ruled out Sutton as their father, which was a blessing in itself. But the bastard knew the truth and was dodging them. His time was limited, which meant that Graham had to take drastic action if he wanted answers.

The idea of using Eve to obtain the information had his stomach in knots, but she was carrying his child and if Graham had to let that news slip to Sutton in order to get information...well...

Graham heard his brothers behind him as they came into the home theater. But his mind wasn’t on the movie or even the idea of his father out in the world somewhere. His mind was on Eve. The parallel between her and his mother’s experiences wasn’t lost on him, but there was a huge difference. Graham planned on being part of this child’s life. Eve wouldn’t be alone, she wouldn’t have to worry about facing this without support.

“He’s still got that look,” Brooks muttered. “He won every damn hand and still looks like he’s ready to punch the wall.”

“Your face would do,” Graham replied without glancing over. “I like my walls intact.”

“If you’re going to fight, at least pause the movie,” Carson interjected. “I know we just watched this one a few weeks ago, but it’s still my favorite.”

Graham shook the ice cubes around in his glass. “I’m not going to hit anything, but if you two keep discussing my mood, I’m likely to change my mind.”

Graham turned the volume up until the surround-sound speakers hidden around the room were blaring. He’d had enough of the chitchat and getting in touch with his feelings.

There was no mention of Sutton tonight, which was a relief. Brooks had his PI on the hunt for their father, and apparently there was still no news. Maybe they could just have a regular night like they used to. Something bland and boring. Graham never thought he’d wish for such a thing, but lately his life seemed to be heading in about twelve different directions.

His cell vibrated in his pocket. Setting his glass on the table next to his theater recliner, Graham slid the phone out and held it down to his side so his brothers couldn’t see. The screen lit up with Eve’s name. He wasn’t going to reach out to her just yet. He wanted to leave her wondering when he’d be back, when he’d make a move. There was an ache in him that drove him insane and he wanted her to be just as achy, just as needy.

He quickly read her message.

Dr. McNamera November 17 9:00

That was all. Nothing more, nothing personal. The dynamics of their relationship had changed. Because he was apparently a masochist, he scrolled through their previous messages. Flirting, hookup times, codes for what they would do to each other once they were alone. He shifted in his seat as he recalled doing exactly those things.

It was late, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t at her office. She worked even on weekends, not that he could fault her because he knew that drive to stay on top of the career you’d worked so hard for. But he wanted to see her, needed to see her.

For the first time in...ever, Graham willed this movie to end. He loved spending time with his brothers, valued their special bond, but right now he had other plans.

Plans that involved Eve, a dark room and no interruptions from the outside world. He didn’t want her to get swept away into the fear of being pregnant. He wanted her relaxed and he knew exactly how to make that happen.

Intending to make it through the next couple hours, Graham opted not to refill his bourbon. Two glasses were enough because he wanted his head on straight.

“You all up for more poker?” Brooks asked as the credits rolled.

“I need to get home,” Carson replied, coming to his feet. “I don’t have to spend my nights looking at you two anymore.”

Carson had found love. Good for him. Graham wasn’t jealous, he just didn’t believe in such things. Still, whatever Carson and Georgia had together was genuine. The way they looked at each other, the way they were always looking out for the other was a testament to their deep bond.

“Can’t say I blame you,” Brooks countered. “You’re a lucky man.”

Brooks wanted that home life. He wanted the wife, the kids, all of that. Graham wanted to nail this case he was working on and get Eve to come around to seeing they didn’t need to cool it in the sheets simply because they’d created a child. “I actually need to run an errand,” Graham chimed in.

Both brothers turned to look his way. Brooks smirked. “Really? What’s her name?”

Graham busied himself putting the remote away and taking his glass back to the bar, which was just off the theater room. His brothers followed him. No way were they going to leave him alone.

Empty glass in hand, he whirled around. “It’s just work. Relax. I’m in the middle of a big case. That’s all I can say.”

They both stared at him, clearly not believing the lie. With a shrug, he turned to the bar and started stacking the glasses and returning the bottles to the shelves on the wall.

“I’m out,” Carson said on a sigh. “I’d rather be home with Georgia than try to figure out what Graham is being so cryptic about.”

Fine by him. One down. One to go.

From the corner of his eye, Graham saw Brooks eyeing him, arms crossed over his chest. The sound of Carson headed down the hall, the sound of his footsteps growing softer before eventually disappearing. Now that Carson was gone, Graham waited for the accusations from his twin.

“Whatever you’re smirking about, get it off your chest,” Graham finally said, turning to face Brooks.

With a shrug, he replied, “Nothing in particular. Just curious as to why you’re rushing off. I’m sure you could do anything work related from here. I know you have your laptop at the ready at all times. And I’m sure you know whatever case you’re working on like the back of your hand without having to look at any files.”

Graham hadn’t gotten to the top at such a young age by depending on anyone else. Every case, every file, every opponent in the courtroom was filed away in his mind. He knew every detail backward and forward. He studied his rivals and found their weaknesses so he could annihilate them when they came face-to-face. So Brooks was right, but no way was Graham going to admit such a thing.

“You don’t have to know every detail of my personal life,” Graham fired back. Okay, maybe that was harsh, but right now, he wanted to get to Eve. “Are we done here?”

Brooks blew out a sigh. “For now. I’ll let you have your little secret, but all secrets come out eventually. Just ask Sutton.”

The jab hit too close to home. Yes, Sutton’s secret baby, aka Carson, had taken nearly three decades to come to the surface. Graham highly doubted Eve’s secret would last three months. Soon both families would know that the Winchesters and the Newports were going to be bound together for life.

That thought had Graham reevaluating everything. Eve had every right not to put his name on the birth certificate. She had every right to fight him for custody. She’d lose, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, he refused to let his child come into this world in the midst of a feud.

So now Graham had to show her who he really was. Eve had to see him as a compassionate, loving man who would do anything for his child. She had to see that working together was the best thing for all of them. Because he refused to allow any other man to come in and take away this little family. Love didn’t have to be a factor. Graham held the power here, and he would get Eve to marry him, ensuring their child carried the Newport name. A marriage based on sexual chemistry was more than enough for him to rethink saying his “I dos.”

And that was why Graham was even more eager to get to her house. Soon Eve would see just how perfect they were together.