Page 35 of Blackmailed

“Language,” Mackenzie and Rapier said at the same time.

“I’ll deal with both of you later.” Keeley turned her ire on her mate. “We were going to wait until we figured out what was happening to Hayden.”

Kalkin gave her a blank look. “I’m sorry?”

“No, you’re not,” Keeley snapped.

“Well, if it’s all the same,” Hayden said. “We’re okay. We have our two beautiful children, and now that we know what the issue is, we’re good.”

“Fine,” Melody said, standing. “Rashid and I are expecting, too.”

The room exploded in cheers and congratulations as Rashid kissed her. Jochi placed his hand on Jefferson's thigh and squeezed it while he dabbed at his eyes with the other. Jefferson missed this. He'd been caught up in the day to day bullshit surrounding D.C. and being a senator, he hadn’t paused to also live his life. He could count on both hands how many times he'd been home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, which was piss poor on his part. Of course, after Susanne died, he chalked it up to heartache and depression. His girls came out to see him, sure, but it wasn’t the same for any of them. Now, he couldn’t see himself missing another one.

“I can’t thank you enough, Danielle,” Melody said. “You were so dedicated to helping us.”

“You’re welcome,” she said. “I’m happy it worked out for you.”

“Have you told Shelby?” Hayden asked.

Melody nodded. “We did this morning.”

“Well, shit, we’re going to be a regular menagerie here,” Christoph piped up. “Between our cub and yours,” he motioned to Keeley and Melody, “we’ll have our hands full.”

Aurora stood then. “I-I have something to tell you as well.” She glanced down at Mackenzie. “I’m scared, though.”

“No shit,” Kalkin grumbled, cutting his gaze to Mackenzie. “We can smell it on you. What, did Mac knock you up and you’re afraid to tell him?”

She shook her head. “No. Not even close. Er, well, maybe, but it’s not...you know.” She blew out a breath. “I’m messing this up.”

“Wait,” Royce said. “So, you did knot her? Good job, Dad.”

Mackenzie snarled. “Give her a second.”

“You see, Abby...” Aurora swallowed hard. “She’s not my daughter. She’s my niece.”

Kalkin frowned. “Where’s her mother?”

Mackenzie took Aurora’s hand then and squeezed it. "She died, Kal. After she gave birth to Abby." He turned his attention to Danielle. “Cat’s out of the bag. Abby and Aurora’s sister had the same thing—”

“PFO or Patent Foramen Ovale,” Aurora said. “My sister had a massive stroke within five hours of delivering Abby.”

“And what about the father?” Kalkin hedged. “Is what you told us true about him?”

“To a degree, yes,” Aurora replied. “He knocked up my sister, didn’t want anything to do with Abby, and signed over his rights, making it easier to become Abby’s guardian. However, when he found out about her condition, I guess in case something happened to her, he came snooping around. So, it made it easier to leave when the doctor said she needed warm, dry conditions to lead a happy, healthy life.”

“Do you think he’ll come around here?”

Aurora shook her head. “No. I think he saw a way to make a quick buck with a sick kid. If he wanted to be her father, he wouldn’t have dropped my sister like she was someone else’s trash.”

“So noted. Anything else?” Kalkin narrowed his eyes.

“Mackenziewasmyfirst,” she mumbled, sitting.

“Whoa now!” Kalkin laughed. “You old, mangy wolf. I knew you couldn’t keep your hands off of her.”

Keeley elbowed him. "Shut up. Can't you see she's embarrassed enough? Don't make it worse for her."

“I’m not.” Kalkin turned to his mate. “Mackenzie has been keeping secrets.”

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