Wilde Surrender (The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 5)

“I suppose I did after he told me he was gay.”

“I heard about your dad and boss fighting it out at Norma’s. What was all that about?”

“Denver didn’t tell you?” she asked.

“My brothers have been really secretive about you, Jessie. So, the answer is no. He didn’t. I can tell it shook you pretty hard. Tell me everything about that.”

She wondered why he seemed so interested in knowing. Was there a chance he might already be considering a future with her? I’m getting way ahead of myself. Whatever the reason he kept asking, whether it was to pass the time while he made breakfast or it was something more, she would keep answering. Perhaps he would begin opening up to her, too.

“There were pictures sent to both my dad and boss.”

“What kind of pictures?”

“Explicit

pictures.” The thought of her dad and boss seeing those sickened her, but thankfully both had only looked at some of the racy photos but not any of the sexual ones.

His tone turned hard. “Why would my idiotic brothers take pictures of you and not make sure they were locked away?”

“I’m not sure how Paul King got them, but there were other pictures, too. Ones he’d taken without my knowledge.”

“Where?”

“Some were of me and Denver in the parking lot of The Masters’ Chambers. Others were of me with Phoenix and Jackson at your tree. There were more, but I don’t remember.” Again, she wondered about his tree and what it meant to him.

“You didn’t lose your job over those pictures?”

“No. Turns out that my boss, Lee Carpenter, is actually my dad.” She still needed time to process that little tidbit.

“That’s quite the bombshell.” He sounded genuinely concerned.

“Yes, it is.”

“You’re smart. I have no doubt that you’ll handle all you’ve learned perfectly.”

“I hope so.” The whole thing about her boss and dad still felt strange.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Both, Master. Thank you.”

Austin poured coffee into a blue mug, and poured in the additional ingredients. “Did your dad know?”

“My mother confessed it to him during her chemo shortly before she died.” Jessie shifted up into a sitting position.

Austin handed her the mug. “That must’ve been a shock to him, pet.”

“Probably.” She took her first drink of the coffee. It tasted wonderful. “Thank you, Master.”

Austin went back to the stove to continue making breakfast. “Your dad kept that from you for a long time. How did that make you feel?

“He changed after that. I was young and didn’t know the reason. I wish he’d told me then.”

“Maybe he couldn’t.”

“Perhaps.” She sipped her coffee. The warmth felt good going down. “I’m glad the truth is out now. We can move on and renew our relationship.”

“What about your boss?”