I fought the tears that welled in my eyes. “What if … What if Jack Flannery is my father? You can’t tell me you’ll not want to get as far away from me as possible. What if I’m just like him, and I don’t know it yet?”
“They would have seen signs of it when you were younger—killing animals and shit like that. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” He cupped my chin, and our gazes locked. A fire burned in his eyes. “DNA does not define you. Everyone who loves you knows your kind and generous heart, your spunk, your determination, and ability to determine right from wrong. Ten, it’s all those things I fell in love with when we were in high school. You’re the epitome of good. If you share DNA with Jack Flannery, in no way does that change who you are. You’re good and loving, but most importantly, you’re mine.” He leaned his forehead against mine and kissed the tip of my nose.
His words sank deep inside me, unraveling all the fear, anger, guilt, and sadness from the past years. Before I could stop myself, my shoulders heaved, and quiet sobs shook my body. I curled into Layne while his hand gently stroked my back.
He held me while I cried. “I love you.”
“I’m so sorry.” I nearly choked on my words. “When the FBI showed up, I thought they were after you.” I peeked up at him and my chest tightened. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
Layne’s jaw tightened. “I’ll be glad when you trust me completely, but I know it will take time. And why wouldn’t you have thought the FBI was after me? Everyone in your life has lied to you and used you.” He tipped my chin up with his finger. His gentle expression was full of the forgiveness I needed. “I’ll show up for you again and again, and soon your heart will catch up to mine.”
At some point, we slid underneath the blankets with our clothes on. Layne snuggled up to me, his strong arms wrapping me in a safe cocoon while I drifted off to sleep.
18
It was nearly one in the afternoon when I woke up. Layne had already left the bed, and my heart ached as reality weighed heavily on my shoulders.
Not ready to face the day yet, I burrowed under the blankets and closed my swollen eyes. The Saturday afternoon sky appeared as dreary as I felt. Although I’d agreed to a DNA test, I was scared shitless. Unable to shut my mind off, I opted for a long shower.
I rifled through the clothes Marilyn had so graciously lent me and headed toward the bathroom. I flipped the light on, then stared at the many button options. Fan, sink lights, shower lights, and heated floor. That sounded heavenly. By the time I was done drowning my sorrows under the hot spray, my feet would be toasty warm as they touched the tiles.
The double sinks with beige granite and a large framed mirror were gorgeous. A vanity was across from the walk-in closet, and next to that was a huge shower and the biggest jet tub I’d ever seen. I was pretty sure it would easily hold three people. My mind immediately turned to Layne and all the things I would love to do to him while soaking in bubbles. Although my hormones ran full speed ahead, my body was rebelling after the deliciously hard pounding he’d given me the night before. Sometimes I just needed it rough, and other times slow and gentle.
I pulled on the glass door handle of the shower, and my mouth gaped open. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I’d never seen so many showerheads or spouts or whatever wealthy people called them. A bench long enough for me to sit on and comfortably shave my legs butted up against the far wall. I would definitely take advantage of that, but first I needed to clean myself up. I reeked of sex, and I had more important meetings later that day.
A feeling of dread tugged at me as I turned the water on and stepped under the warm spray. I slammed my eyes shut and focused on the here and now. I was safe and loved.
“Safe and loved,” I said over and over again softly. It was apparently my anxiety-reducing mantra. Between talking to myself and the rich scent of the apricot shampoo, the tight muscles in my neck began to relax. Too bad I can’t stay here for the rest of the day. I applied conditioner to my long hair and let it soak in while I lathered up my body. Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of the shower, dried off, and dressed. Marilyn was right—we were close in size. The jeans were a little baggy, but I preferred the boyfriend fit anyway, so they worked fine.
After drying my hair, I slipped my shoes on and wandered down the hallway. Benji and Layne’s doors were open, but I didn’t see either of them. Voices carried up the stairs, and I followed them into the living room. Benji, Michael, and Layne were discussing a football game. A flicker of joy sparked inside me. My three favorite guys were not only spending time together, but they seemed to be enjoying it. Benji caught sight of me first. His faced morphed from excitement to concern, which told me he knew all the details of the previous night.
Benji waved me into the living room. “Hey, sleepyhead. I’ve been waiting for you.”
I gave him a big smile. “Hey.” No matter how shitty life was, I loved my best friend. “Guess you have roomies again for a few days, huh?”
“Thank God. I need some company.” He flashed me a huge grin, alleviating some of the tension in the room.
Layne stood and kissed my cheek before we sat down next to each other on the couch. Benji cocked an eyebrow at me and shot me a you got laid last night expression, and I gave him the most innocent look I could muster. I knew damned well Layne and I had been super quiet.
“How are you doing this morning?” Michael asked from the leather recliner across from us while he took a sip of his soda. The heavy damask curtains were closed, and I suspected we were waiting for our new security guys to show up.
I shrugged, not sure how to answer him and not wanting to lie. “I’m not sure yet.”
“That’s fair.” Michael gave me a tight-lipped smile.
“I’m so glad you’re safe. When Dad called last night and told me what had happened, I was terrified,” Benji blurted.
“It was definitely one hell of a night,” I muttered under my breath.
“Tensley, you’re awake.” Marilyn waltzed into the living room with a soda and plate topped with a grilled cheese and veggie chips for me.
“Thank you! I did wake up hungry.” I took a bite of my sandwich, and my tummy growled loudly.
“Everyone else has already eaten, so when I heard your voice, I tossed you something together.” She leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Layne’s arm tightened around my shoulders and I glanced at him. I almost melted into a puddle on the Parkers’ plush couch. No one had ever gazed at me with so much love and adoration in their eyes before.
Marilyn sank into the chair next to her husband and sighed. “I realize you’ve not been up long, hon, but we have things to take care of today.” She folded her hands in her lap then glanced at Michael.
“Pierce Westbrook will be here in about ten minutes,” Michael explained. “He has three highly trained bodyguards with him. One will stay on the property, and one will discreetly follow us when we leave.”
I stopped chewing. Franklin had mentioned bodyguards the night before, but … I lowered my sandwich and focused on Benji’s parents.
“We will all be safe, Tensley.” Michael’s voice and mannerisms were confident and reassuring.