Page 19 of Gideon

“Not that I know of, but he seemed to know everything I did.”

“Why did you take a DNA?” Raven asked.

“In case I didn’t make it. I wanted Haley to have someone who loved her—someone who could keep her out of foster care. I thought maybe I had a father or other family out there. But nothing came up. It showed I have no relatives at all. I wish you were related to me. At least then, Haley wouldn’t be alone.”

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore. Nothing is going to happen to you. Do you mind if I take another DNA sample to double-check?”

“No, I don’t mind. But don’t be surprised when it comes back negative,” I said as he stood and pulled a DNA test kit from a briefcase on the counter.

“What’s that?” Gideon asked, walking in as Raven swabbed my cheek.

“It’s a DNA test kit. Raven wants to double-check minein case mine was messed up.” I looked at Gideon, who was smiling.

“Smile all you want, and when I have proof that Laney is another sibling, I’ll be saying, ‘I told you so.”

I hope I’m related to you and your other siblings,” I said. Where is your mom now?

“She died when I was fifteen. She had breast cancer. She didn’t tell anyone and refused to have chemo.

“That’s awful.”

“My father’s parents were ashamed of him for having children with so many different women. They lectured him every time he would visit, so he doesn’t visit as much as he used to.”

“Are your grandparents and your father still alive?”

“Yes, they are. If you and Haley turn out to be related to us, my grandparents will definitely want to meet you. My father claims all his children—he doesn’t deny any of us. Most of us have his eyes, though some don’t. Either way, he accepts us as his.”

Raven finished up and stood. “There, we’re done. I’m going to run this to the hospital myself. When I get any information, I’ll let you know.”

Listen,” I said, leaning closer. “I don’t want anyone to know about this. If Jonah finds out these people might be my relatives, he’ll kidnap and torture them. I can’t risk that.”

“I won’t say anything to anyone,” Raven assured me.

“Don’t tell your grandparents, your father, or any of your siblings if we are related. It’s too dangerous for them.”

“We’ll keep it to ourselves,” Raven agreed.

Gideon chimed in. “I don’t think you should even do this right now. Why don’t you wait until Jonah is locked up—or dead?”

Raven looked at me and nodded. “Gideon’s right. We’ll do this after Jonah is dead.”

“Okay,” I said reluctantly. “We’ll wait. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”

10

Gideon

I decidedto look deeper into Jonah Reeves's story. I wanted to know everything about him—how he became the head of the underground Chicago mob and how many people he’d killed to climb to the top.

We were all waiting for Sean to arrive at our offices, but I suddenly realized I’d forgotten to ask something. I walked over to where Laney and Haley were sitting and took a seat.

“I forgot to ask—what’s Sean’s last name?”

Laney looked at me and smiled. I don’t know what his last name is. Crazy, right? But I never asked the kids what their last name was. So I’ll have to let Sean tell you himself. Oh, there he is.

The door opened, and in walked an Adonis of a man. He swept Laney up in his arms and kissed her.

“I missed you, sweetheart. Where is my little girl?”

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