Page 49 of Sins of the Father

I want to claim her as mine, but the rational person I am stops me from showing any public signs of affection. She’s leaving in a week, and if I hurt her, I’ll be mad enough at myself, but Jamison and Quinn will never talk to me again.

I limp to the elevator, and she joins me.

When the doors shut, I sigh.

“Why are you stressed again?”

I rub my hands over my face. “Can I be honest?”

“Please.”

“I really like you.”

She beams. “I really like you.”

“But I’m not sure what’s happening here.”

Her face falls. “What do you mean?”

“You live in New York. You’re Jamison’s sister, and if this ends badly, I’m going to be pushed out of their life, and Hope’s, forever.”

“Jamison isn’t like that.”

“I said things to Quinn and him when they started seeing each other I shouldn’t have. Quinn cut me off,” I admit.

The elevator doors open.

Harper hesitates then steps out. We walk in silence to my car.

When we get inside, she says, “Did it have to do with Jamie and Valeria?”

“Yes. But I didn’t even know about Valeria until after I had already been a dick. Jamison was showering Quinn with expensive gifts, and other things happened.”

“What was wrong with Jamie giving Quinn gifts?”

My stomach flips. I hate my past behavior toward Jamison and Quinn, but the shame of my parents’ relationship always makes me nauseous. I’ve never told anyone about who my father is, or how my mother is his mistress. I hold everything in, and no one gets access to my family secrets.

Maybe it’s because I know she’s leaving in a week, or perhaps it’s just because Harper is the first person I’ve ever felt comfortable talking to, but I blurt out, “Becausehegiveshergifts.”

“Who ishe?”

My mouth goes dry. “The sperm donor.”

A line forms between her eyebrows. “Why—”

“He’s the governor, and my mother’s his mistress.” I swallow hard, and my stomach pitches. It’s the first time I’ve ever told anyone who my father is or what my mother is to him.

She gapes then quickly slides closer and clasps my hand. “That must be difficult for you.”

“It is what it is. I can’t change it. No matter how much I try, she won’t leave him.” I focus on the window.

She quietly asks, “Does his wife know?”

“Yep. His kids, too. His wife stays with him for the status and money, according to my mother. At least, that’s what Maximillion tells her. Who knows what her true reasons are, but they know about all of us.”

She turns my chin so I’m facing her. “No matter what happens between you and me, it’ll stay between us. I won’t let anything affect your relationship with your family.”

“That’s not the only thing I’m worried about, Harper.”

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