I was so mad that day that I turned around and walked right back out.

My father has called a family meeting.

I guess he figured that I’d told my sisters, but I haven’t. I was trying to figure out what to say.

Even though Mickey isn’t our biological sister, I’m sure it’ll be crazy for her to hear too.

At this point, I don’t even know what I don’t know. I guess we’re all about to find out.

When I get there, Kaija is standing outside with her arms crossed, and Mickey is sitting on the steps.

“Why aren’t y’all inside?”

“You know something.” Kaija comes down and meets me at the bottom of the stairs, and I back up, smoothing my face.

“I don’t know anything.”

“You know everything,” Kai emphasizes. “I don’t think for one second that since you’re not working directly with Dad anymore, that you’re out the loop.”

“Well, surprise surprise, I’m in the dark.” I skirt her and head up the stairs two at a time, hoping my heel doesn’t break.

It would totally ruin my image here.

“You’re full of shit.” Mickey murmurs with a smirk, and I knock her gently with my shoulder as I pass.

For once, I don’t want to be the one to break any news and ripple any waters. Let my parents handle it since they’ve been so damn secretive.

I open the door and gesture my sisters inside ahead of me, Kai still looking at me suspiciously.

“Keyra.” My dad rumbles and I hug him to keep up appearances. I hug Sina and my mom too, moving aside as everyone does their rounds.

Inside, I’m boiling. I have never felt so blind-sighted in my life. This, this feeling throws me completely off kilter.

I made it a point in my life to not be caught by surprise. Growing up in a family that’s always been connected to politics, you watch things happen and you watch news go out and you realize that if you don’t protect yourself with knowledge - you lose.

I had to have been about 10 years old when I learned that first lesson.

They were running news that my grandfather had been having an affair.

Then, my grandparents were around a lot and my grandmother would go into the room she stayed in and not come out for hours.

She genuinely didn’t have any idea, and it broke her heart. So much so that within the span of a few years, she went from the lively grand-mother that I knew to withdrawn and cynical.

In my head, I’d always reasoned that if it wasn’t such a big shock to her - she wouldn’t have taken it so hard.

It wouldn’t have stolen her joy in the same way.

I’ve gone nearly 20 years trying to make sure that is never me and succeeding.

“Come into the living room.” Sina directs us. “I set out some snacks and things.”

Might as well get comfortable.

I kick my heels off in the corner and plop down in the middle of the large couch, sitting on my feet, my skirt covering my legs.

“What the hell did you do to her on vacation?” I hear Kaija ask Mickey, and I raise an eyebrow at her as I pick up a Dorito.

Little neatly cut assorted sandwiches are on the table and small bowls of our favorite chips. Doritos for me, sour cream and onion for Mickey, and Cheetos for Kaija.

Playing on our nostalgia, reminding us that they know us and we’re comfortable and safe here.

It’s a page right out of my book.

“Does alcohol not contribute to the feeling of comfort?” I pipe up and my dad gives me his stern face as he, Sina, and my mom stand in front of the table.

A united force.

“We have something we think it’s time to discuss with you girls.” My dad starts.

“I wonder what it could be?” I insert, biting the corner of a tuna watercress triangle.

I’m being childish, but I want them to spit it out. Just confirm what I know.

“Keyra, don’t be disrespectful.” My mom warns in a low voice, and I immediately feel chastised.

“Yes, ma’am.” I pop another chip into my mouth but resolve to be quiet.

Damn near 30 years old and still, I know that if my mom steps in - it’s serious. Sina takes my dad’s hand and he takes a deep breath.

How odd. Why do Sina and my dad seem more together on this than my mom and dad? They’re the ones who hid a whole kid from us.

“I’m illegitimate.” My dad says, and I almost spring up from my seat in vindication.

I fucking kn—

“What did you just say?” I swallow.

“I’m not a Reed. Not by blood, anyway.”

“Could you like, start from the beginning?” Kaija sits forward, the confusion on her face matching that of Mickey and I.

“Wait, so there’s no secret child you and mom gave up for adoption?” I blurt. Everyone swings their heads towards me, and when my mom speaks, there’s surprise in her voice.

“Is that what you thought was going on?”

“Uh, yeah? I picked up a bit of a chatter and I pieced it all together and thought you two hid a child and someone was blackmailing you with something about it. Honestly, it was such an exhausting thought that I wasn’t going to delve into it until I heard from you two.”

“So you did know something.” Mickey swats my leg, and I shrug.

“How’d you know about blackmail?” Sina asks, fingering her bracelet.

“That was part of the chatter.”

“Well, you’ve got 50 percent.” My dad rumbles, shaking his head. “No wonder you ran out of here the other day. You really thought we’d hide something like that?”

“I didn’t know what to think. We’ve been pretty lucky to not have too much sordid family drama, I thought it was catching up. This is a relief, though. Mostly. What is this about blackmail?” I push.

Thank fucking god. All the air is pretty much whipped out of my sails with my dad’s admission.

I’ve trusted them so fully that I don’t know what I’d have done if my thoughts had been confirmed if I’d had to accept a different truth.

“My mother had an affair. When she got pregnant, my father swore her to secrecy and the man signed over his parental rights. Your grandfather adopted me and treated me as his son and we never told anyone differently.”

Whaaaa?

“Wait, so when Grandpa Vic’s affair came out, were he and Grandma even on good terms?”

“Theirs was always a business partnership. But around the same time, my mother’s first love passed away and the public scrutiny from the affair plus her grieving took its toll.”

I blink, completely wowed. “All this time, I thought she literally passed from a broken heart, but because she didn’t know about his affair.”

“Well, it’s not as if you knew the rest of the story, sweetheart.” My mom smiles. “No wonder you’ve always wanted to know every little thing.”

“Well, I for one am glad all the drama happened before I came into the family.” Mickey teases.

“You’re not right in the head if you think that.” My dad pokes fun and we all laugh, the tension from earlier broken.

“But seriously…the blackmail?” I ask.

My mom, dad, and Sina look at each other nervously and I narrow my eyes.

“What?”

“You’re still not allowed to work for a few more months, Keyra. If I tell you everything, you’re not going to be able to help yourself. We’re handling it.” My dad’s voice is firm and matter-of-fact.

I can’t believe them.

“Respectfully, I do not accept that.” I stand, bare feet sinking into the soft carpet. “I went on vacation, I’m relaxed and I realize that I need to do more than bury my head in the families problems. But that is a big part of my life, this family. I will not feel bad about that and I will not just sit back when we all know damned well that if you just let me do my job - this would be resolved.” I meet my Dad’s hesitant eyes, imploring him. “I am good at this. Please. Just let me figure it out, and I’ll go join a nudist colony after if you want me to. Just, let me.”

“Marcus, you raised a damn intelligent and resourceful woman. You know she’s right.” My mom throws in, and Sina nods her head, putting a hand on his chest.

“Camille has a point. Keyra’s always going to be the best person to fight for all of us on these things, more than anybody we could hire.”

I’m so grateful that they’re adding their support.

I glance at Mickey and Kaija and they nod.

“We should put it to a vote,” Kaija says. “Everyone who thinks Dad should let Keyra go all protective she-wolf on their asses, raise your hands.”

My dad props his hands on his hips, his lips pressed into a grim line when everyone’s hands immediately go up - including mine.

“Since when did this family become a democracy?” He grumbles.

“Since you’re the only man,” Mickey says helpfully, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.

“I can’t wait to marry all of you off, then I’ll finally have some support.” He rolls his eyes. “Alright Keyra, but this is temporary.”

“Aye aye captain.” I’m practically bouncing, I’m so excited to do something again. To dig my claws into someone who doesn’t know what the hell they’re getting into.

I will never give up a fight where my family is involved.