Descent (Steel Brothers Saga 15)

It wouldn’t last long. Once the sun ascended all the way past the horizon, the clouds would become their normal white, and the mountains their normal greenish purple in the distance.

But for a few scant moments, the sunrise painted its own tapestry of beauty. Even more beautiful than the image in the east was the serene look of contemplation on Daphne’s face.

My Daphne was more beautiful than any Rocky Mountain sunrise.

And in her arms she held something else that was more beautiful than the sunrise. My son. Jonah Bradford Steel. My heir, legacy to everything I was building here.

Jonah would have a different life than mine. He wouldn’t grow up knowing how to use a gun, having the temptation. He would learn integrity. The value of a good day’s work. He would understand his privilege and would not let it weaken him. He would be honest in his dealings and never resort to threats.

If it was the last thing I did, I’d make sure of that.

And he wouldn’t grow up alone. I’d promised my father I’d fill this house with children he and my mother couldn’t have.

Should I? Could Daphne handle more children? She was devoted to Jonah, but according to Dr. Pelletier, she was not mentally stable.

We’d made love last night, and I hadn’t even given a thought to birth control. She was nursing, so pregnancy was unlikely but not impossible. She had no experience with birth control. The only time she’d tried to get oral contraception, she found out she was pregnant with Jonah.

Oral contraception was a must now. Until Daphne was mentally stable, we shouldn’t have any more children. But how could I bring this up to her? Already, I had to tell her that Wendy had been released from Piney Oaks and that she—Daphne—had a diagnosis she wasn’t aware of.

Why didn’t Jonathan—or Lucy—tell me?

Jonathan Wade isn’t who you think he is, son. Be careful.

My father had said those words for a reason, and I would take them seriously.

I just bought myself some time.

Before I told Daphne about her diagnosis, I needed to speak to her father. Jonathan was the one who’d told me Daphne’s history. He’d wanted to make sure I wouldn’t turn tail and run. I hadn’t, of course, and I wouldn’t. I loved Daphne, and she’d been carrying my child. But did he tell me everything?

Jonathan had mentioned a journal that Daphne had kept during her time at the hospital. He said he’d never been able to bring himself to read it.

Had he been lying? Did he know about Daphne’s other personalities? And if so, why had he kept that information from me?

I was going to find out.

I cleared my throat, ready to tell Daphne I had to make a phone call, when I changed my mind.

This was too important for a phone call. Too damned important.

I was driving to Denver today.

“Hey, baby,” I said.

Daphne tore her gaze away from the rising sun and met mine. “Yes?”

“I have to go take my shower. I’m going to Denver today.”

“Another trip?”

“Part of the business. You know that.”

“Can’t little Joe and I go with you? Especially if you’re spending the night. I could spend some time with my mother.”

I considered her words. It wasn’t a terrible idea. She and the baby could visit with Lucy, and I could take Jonathan to his favorite little Irish pub.

And then interrogate him.

“All right.”

If we left within an hour, we’d make it to Denver before noon. I could drop Daphne off at her parents’ home, and then I could pay a visit to Jonathan at his office. To do my “business.”

I truly hated lying to Daphne. Unfortunately, I was getting used to it. I had been lying by omission to her since I met her parents.

I vowed when I first fell in love with her that I would protect her. If I had to lie to accomplish that goal, it was a no-brainer. Protecting Daphne was of the utmost importance. No matter what I had to do to achieve that goal.

Chapter Eight

Daphne

We arrived at my home in Westminster before noon. I’d called my mom, and she had a lunch prepared for us.

“I wish I could stay, Lucy,” Brad said, “but I’m here on business.”

“You can’t take an hour for lunch?” I asked.

“Lunch is part of business, I’m afraid.” Brad smiled and then gave me a kiss on my forehead. Then he kissed Jonah’s sweet-smelling head.

The baby giggled and smiled.

“He’s smiling so much now,” Mom said.

“See you later, partner,” Brad said. Then he kissed me again, this time on the lips. “I should be back here by dinnertime.”

“I hope so,” Mom said. “Jonathan will be thrilled to see you. What would you like for dinner, Daphne? Anything you want.”

“Everything you make is good, Mom. Just make sure—”

“—the meat is humanely raised,” she finished for me and smiled.