Page 134 of Sins of the Father

He sighs and takes the seat next to me. She hands Hope to Jamison and sits on the love seat across from us.

“You can’t work for him,” Beth blurts out.

“You keep saying this as if I want to. Tell me why, Mom,” Steven barks.

She closes her eyes, and when she opens them, they are wet. “There are things going on. I need you to trust me on this.”

“Did you seriously come over here with the intention of protecting the sperm donor?” Quinn accuses.

She wipes her eye. “I’m not protecting him. I promise you, I’m doing the exact opposite, and I...” She closes her eyes again.

I reach for Steven’s hand. Beth’s distraught look tugs at my heart.

Steven glares. He lowers his voice. “What does that mean?”

Beth shifts in her seat. “He’s not a good man—”

“You think I don’t know that?” Steven snaps.

“Steven,” I scold.

“I love you, and I don’t want you ever to forget or question it. Do not get involved with his campaign.”

“What are you involved in?” Steven growls again, his eyes blazing with anger.

“Mom, you need to tell us,” Quinn cries out.

Jamison sits next to her. He picks up her hand and calmly says, “Beth, are you in trouble?”

Her lips tremble and tears flow.

Steven stiffens. His voice turns soft. “Mom, please tell us.”

She starts to sob, and Jamison pulls her into his chest.

Quinn puts her hand over her mouth, and her eyes glisten. She and Steven exchange a glance.

Jamison rubs her back as she cries on his shoulder. “Whatever is going on, you need to tell us.”

“I can’t.”

“You have to.”

Quinn puts Hope back in the playpen and sits on the edge of the armrest and places her hand on her mom’s leg. “Mom, please tell us. What has he done to you?”

Beth slowly pulls away from Jamison. “I didn’t know. I swear.”

“What didn’t you know?” Quinn gently asks.

She sniffles. “He’s involved with Giovanni Rossi.”

We all gape at Beth.

Steven moves to the edge of the couch. Fear laces his voice. “What’s he doing with the head of the Chicago mob?”

She swallows hard. “Everything.”

The color drains from Steven’s face. “You need to stay away from him, Mom.”

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