Ellis
I’m riding with Greyson in his silver Rolls-Royce Wraith. Our family comes from old money, but we all work hard to make new.
Greyson’s an attorney, but he also invests in real estate, particularly commercial development, and it has paid off well for him.
“Do you honestly think I’m going to let you sit quietly over there?” he asks.
“All right, here’s the story; Tony introduced me to Camilla several years back. We had sex, parted ways, and she wasn’t sure who the father was. Then, she showed up at Tony’s visitation, and we reconnected. After talking, we realized Liam might be mine.”
“So, you’re not sure.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure. Did you not see the kid? He straight up looks like a Burke. He could pass as yours.”
He chuckles. “No, he looks like you, not me. Light brown hair, blue eyes … besides, I’m not stupid enough to fuck a chick without a condom.”
“Don’t call me stupid. It was a heat of the moment kind of thing.”
“You were probably drinking. We both know you’re a pussy when it comes to holding your liquor.”
I punch him hard in the bicep, and he pulls his arm in toward himself. “Ow, shit. OK, I deserved that. Well, what’s with the women being in your home?”
“Emma is the nanny, and Camilla and I are … dating. She and Liam are living with me, and we’re trying to make it work.”
“Damn, so you really like this woman.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t confide in me when you found out. I thought we shared everything, man, and had I known about this before you moved their asses in, I would’ve advised that you get a paternity test first. You should still do that before things get serious.”
I consider what he said. I never thought to question whether Liam was Tony’s child. I assumed Camilla was sure since she showed up at the funeral home with the photo, and of course, because he looked like my family.
Maybe it’s something I should do before I set up Liam’s trust fund from Tony’s estate. My brother couldn’t have hated me too much since he left me as the sole beneficiary.
The thought of Liam possibly not being Tony’s disturbs me. I don’t want Camilla to have a reason to leave.
***
“How is your back today?” I ask Camilla. She’s across from me as we share a candlelit dinner at the dining room table. She doesn’t look up and is using her fork to play with the food on her plate.
“It’s much better today, but the doctor insisted on running some tests.” Her eyes meet mine. “I panicked since I didn’t have insurance any longer, but I was told by the office clerk not to worry about the bill. I’m guessing you had something to do with that?”
“I forced you to leave your job, so I’m paying your medical bills.”
“Oh, and I really need to use my own vehicle. I didn’t appreciate having to cancel my appointment to get my birth control pills all because Fletcher had to be somewhere else for you.”
“Uh, yes, I’m sorry about that.” To change the subject, I point toward her plate with my fork. “You haven’t eaten much of your dinner.”
“I’m nervous about what we’re doing later, and I’m wondering when you’re going to explain to me why you want your family to believe Liam is yours.”
“I apologize for today. I had planned to discuss it with you first, but then Greyson showed up, and I was put on the spot.” I sigh. “My father cheated on my mother soon after I was born. Tony was conceived from that affair.
“The woman was an escort and refused an abortion, so my father put her up in a luxury apartment. He provided medical care throughout her pregnancy until Tony was born. He then paid her to give up custody, and my mother raised Tony as her own.
“Even after the unspeakable betrayal my mother endured, she chose to stay married to him, and I can’t help but think she did that for me. For that reason, I can’t bring myself to tell her my father now has a blood-related grandchild.”
“It’s sweet you want your mother to believe Liam’s her biological grandson, but it’s still a big commitment to make for only that reason.”
“When you have my family’s degree of wealth, bloodlines mean everything. My mother deserves this, but if you give me a valid reason why it’s important for them to know he’s Tony’s child, I might change my mind.”
“What will we tell Liam if everyone else believes he’s your son?”
I look down at the table. “I haven’t thought that through yet, but we have a little time.”
“Are you also wanting to do this to spare Tony’s reputation? Because if so, it’s going to tarnish yours, and I don’t believe he would’ve done the same for you.”
Dropping my fork, I cross my arms.
“We need to talk about the elephant that’s always in the room. What did my brother tell you about me? And I want the truth.”
Laying her fork down, she sits back in her chair.
“This is all so confusing. You want to get back at me for not telling Tony about Liam. I know you do, but you’re struggling to follow through. And as much as I should want to hurt you for making Liam and me live here, I can’t bring myself to try.
“If I tell you what your brother said about you, it will hurt you, especially if it’s false, so can we save that conversation for another day? So much has happened in only a short amount of time. You can’t deny that. I mean, it’s been a whirlwind.”
Camilla has a grace and kindness to her that’s unmatched by any other woman I’ve met. I’m beginning to wonder if she had good reason for keeping Liam from Tony. I can’t see her being so callous otherwise.
Wiping my mouth with my cloth napkin, I scoot away from the table and stroll around it. I hold out my hand for her to take.
“We can wait to discuss my brother. There’s something more important to attend to … a place I want to show you.”