CHAPTER8
FLYNN
Ishould be tossed out with the trash for the wicked thoughts running through my head right now. I couldn’t help myself. I had to have one touch. One sniff of a woman who is blinding me to what’s right and wrong. She is wrong, so wrong on a whole different level, but there’s an aching need to feel her in my arms. I am going to Hell, and you know what? It’s worth it.
There has been something pounding in my head since my mother’s revelation that doesn’t sit right with me. As the shock subsided, the questions reared their heads and now I’ve had time to process the information, I’m not so sure anymore.
As Louisa struggles to maintain control of her cue, I stand back and smile at her efforts. She’s so determined to succeed at this, and I’m guessing she’s a girl who doesn’t like to give up. We share that in common and as she misses yet another shot and curses, I head back to the bar. “Fancy another.”
“Is that a good idea?” Her eyes are wide, but from the flush to her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes, I can tell she’s relishing every minute of this.
“One more won’t hurt.”
I wink and love how she blushes adorably and as she perches on the stool and stares at me with undisguised longing, I can already tell she feels the same.
“There’s something bugging me, Louisa. Would you mind if I ran it past you?”
I fix the drinks and catch her eye and she seems surprised at being asked. “Of course, I’ll help with anything.”
Sighing, I slide the cocktail across the bar and fix her with a desperate look.
“I am struggling to comprehend that Massimo is my father.”
“Why?”
She looks interested, and I shrug. “You see, I get my uncle, more than anyone, and what Vivian told me doesn’t add up. In fact, I would believe it more if he were my father. It’s something he would do.”
“That’s terrible.” She looks sick and I say roughly, “He is despicable and not a very nice man.”
“So, what are you thinking?”
Her eyes are bright, and nobody has ever looked so beautiful to me as she does, cast in the glow of the lamplight with the soft flush to her cheeks caused by alcohol and dangerous living. For her, anyway.
“Why would my uncle help Vivian? It doesn’t make sense. I have never known him to help anyone before. It doesn’t add up. Then there’s the part where she was told I had died at birth. Who told her that? What happened that day?”
I sigh. “I have so many questions and for some reason, I’m guessing my uncle has the answers. Vivian only knows what he told her, which is probably only what he wants her to know. Then there’s Massimo.”
I break off and hate the sound of his name on my lips. “If I was his son, why have I never met him? He’s my uncle’s friend. Wouldn’t he be curious?”
“Perhaps he doesn’t know.”
Louisa’s soft voice makes me stop and for a moment there is silence as we both think about the problem.
“Maybe your uncle never told him and, for his own reasons, decided to raise you as his. Possibly it’s because…”
“I am his.”
The brutal truth hits me a second time and I wonder how I got so lucky. Two potential sperm donors, and both are as rotten as hell. Lucky me.
“So, how can we discover the truth?”
Her voice is husky and laced in need, and I wish I could show her how sexy I’m finding that right now. Instead I smile ruefully.
“I guess I start looking.”
I don’t miss the fact she said we and I am letting her down gently. This is my war, and I am not dragging her into battle with me. It’s obvious she doesn’t miss the subtle correction and I love how her eyes flash as she says with a slight slur to her voice, “We, Flynn. You’re not on your own anymore. We could be related, then again, possibly not so I have a vested interest in helping you discover the truth.”
“Is that right?”