The Paternity Pact (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 3)

“That’s not what this is about,” Harley said, baring her teeth in an edgy smile that warned them all that she might be the baby of the family, but she was no longer a little girl. “Although if you could figure out who at Wingate Enterprises might be smuggling drugs into the country, so the company can be cleared of the accusations and restart their charitable contributions, that would be great.”

“No one at the company is smuggling drugs,” Sebastian grumbled, shooting a glance at his younger brother.

“We’ve been looking into things,” Miles said, an edge to his manner that always seemed more pronounced when he was around his family. “Based on the quantity of drugs found, we don’t think there’s any indication that one of our employees is engaged in an actual drug operation.”

Like Harley, Miles had turned his back

on the Wingate’s money and power and started Steel Security, a company that catered to high-powered clientele, offering both physical and online protection.

“But something is happening,” Harley put in. “I mean, the DEA is investigating the company.”

“They won’t find anything,” Sebastian said definitively, his gaze touching on each of them. “The company is clean.”

“Why is all this happening?” Beth shuddered. “It feels like the family is under attack.”

Seeing the twins exchange a look, Cam put a protective arm around Beth’s shoulders. “Yeah, what’s really going on here? Is someone out to get the family?”

Miles sighed heavily. “We don’t know.”

When a heavy silence fell over her family, Harley cleared her throat a second time, eager to redirect the conversation back to where she wanted it.

“The reason I asked Beth to organize tonight’s dinner was to tell you something about Daniel.” Seeing that she had everyone’s rapt attention, Harley gathered her courage and began. “When we returned from Thailand, I decided that Daniel needed to meet his biological father. So I reached out to him and we’ve been talking.” She felt her cheeks heat as she considered all the other things that they’d been doing, as well.

“Who is he?” Miles asked. “Or is it still a secret?”

“No. It doesn’t make sense to keep it under wraps anymore.” Harley pressed her damp palms together in an attempt to tamp down her anxiety and announced, “Daniel’s father is Grant Everett.”

Piper was the first to react. She looked aghast. “Grant?”

“The fertility specialist?” Beth made no attempt to hide her shock. “I didn’t even realize you knew him.”

“We met at the TCC ball five years ago,” Harley said simply, reluctant to volunteer more than she had to.

Sebastian crossed his arms and frowned. “How long were you two dating?”

The warmth in her cheeks rushed over all her skin, but she maintained an air of dignity as she answered, “We didn’t actually date. It was more like we spent a weekend together.”

A silent twin communication passed between her brothers. They were a year older than Grant, so obviously they would’ve known him—or of him—in school.

“Did Everett know how young you were?” Sutton shook his head as if struggling to understand and Harley wondered if Grant would be receiving a phone call or two later.

She heaved a sigh, wishing everyone would just get over their age difference. “He didn’t actually know how old I was until later. So don’t go blaming him for taking advantage of me or something equally ridiculous. If anyone took advantage,” she declared smugly, “it was me.”

“Is he planning on stepping up now?” Sebastian asked.

“He already has.” Harley immediately rushed to Grant’s defense, leaving no room for doubt. “He loves Daniel. And Daniel adores him.”

“So does that mean you’re going to share custody?” Beth asked.

Leave it to her practical big sister to spear straight into the heart of her dilemma.

“We haven’t discussed it,” she admitted, acting as if none of this was any big deal. “At this point, the two of them are getting to know each other.”

“But you said you’re going back to Thailand,” Piper said. “Or have you changed your mind?”

“My plan was to come back to Royal and find funding for Zest so I can continue the work I’ve been doing. And that work is in Thailand.” Harley spoke this last part slowly for emphasis. “So, eventually Daniel and I will be heading back there.”

“And Grant is okay with that?” Miles exchanged a profound glance with Chloe before returning his attention to his sister. “If I had a son, there’s no way I’d let his mother take him halfway around the world.”