Page 183 of His Forsaken Alpha

Vaughn fought the smile coming to his lips. “I read somewhere that the best CEOs had sociopathic tendencies.”

Wilder arched a knowing brow.

Vaughn changed the subject. He didn’t need any more fuel filling his‘Am I too much like Dad’tank. “Just so we’re clear… We might be working on common ground here, but I’m not ready to make nice with Papa. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”

“I’m sorry he said what he did… but seeing what torment Warden put him through, I…” Wilder sighed. “Fuck, I don’t want to say the wrong thing here and fuck things up again.”

Vaughn closed his eyes.

“It wasn’t you,” Wilder said.

Vaughn lifted his gaze. “What?”

“It wasn’t that he didn’t wantyou,”Wilder said. “He hadn’t wanted children by a man who’d caused him so much pain. I mean, in his shoes, would you?”

Vaughn already knew the answer, and it stung. Of course not. He wouldn’t have wanted to bring children into that fucked-up relationship.

“I know it might be impossible to separate in your mind, but—it had everything to do with Warden and nothing to do with you personally. He loves you, Vaughn.”

The logic Wilder was trying to use wasn’t effectual on his liquor-laced brain, no matter how much that letter had sobered him. “I said I wasn’t ready, and I meant I’m not ready.”

“Understood,” Wilder said. “I leave that between you and him.”

Vaughn eyed the envelope again. The longer he sat with the idea that his father had attempted to kill his papa, the more sympathy grew for the latter—and that only caused his anger to flare. He wanted to hate Wynter Jaymes. It was easier to feel that than everything else.

“Had he succeeded,neitherof us would be here,” Wilder murmured.

Vaughn lifted his gaze. “Hmm?”

Wilder lifted the envelope. “I assumed this is what you were staring at.” He lowered it. “We should both be grateful to Cavanaugh for saving Papa, if only for the simple fact we exist.”

“One of us more so than the other,” Vaughn said. “Since you’ve gothisDNA, to boot. I’m the unwanted, inbred bastard withtwomentally unwell parents.”

“Technically you can’t be a bastard given that Warden and Wynter were legally mated. If anyone’s the bastard here, it’s me.”

Vaughn fought a smile. “Cavanaugh is Papa’s fated mate, so in the eyes of nature, I shouldn’t exist.”

“I’m glad you do,” Wilder said. He shrugged, grinning.“Someof the time.”

Vaughn chuckled.

“If you have real concerns about the whole two mentally unwell parents—I know you weren’t keen on therapy, but it might help. I’m considering talking to someone so I can work it all out.”

“You’d really go to a head-shrinker?”

“Do you want your future to be like our parents’?” Wilder asked. “Or do you want to find a way out of the vicious cycle?”

Vaughn considered that question, eyeing his brother.

Wilder continued. “Iwant to be a better man—for Avery and our children. Either I follow our parents’ fucked-up examples, or I learn new skills so my kids can grow up happy and healthy.”

“Fair enough. I won’t give you shit about it if it’s for your kids.” He paused a moment. “Kids?I know I wasn’t exactly focused on your crotch goblins when I came over, but I’m pretty sure I only saw one.”

“Only one.” Wilder grinned. “For now.”

“I seem to recall Avery being adamant that he wanted a career. The plan is he’s coming to work for me in a few months, so I’d very much appreciate you keeping any more of your seed out of his womb.”

“That’s entirely up to him,” Wilder said, his smile growing. “Not me.”

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