I’d decided after our talk yesterday, there was too much of a divide between us for even friends with benefits status. She’d apologized for sure and even left a note this morning with her phone number scribbled at the bottom. I didn’t give it much consideration.
It wasn’t until I’d gotten the call from Kalen that I did consider using it. I could’ve been a dick. In the end, I texted her that I wouldn’t be there if she decided to return. I couldn’t be sure because each day she’d left with all her things.
Later that day, I finally reached Grant, but the connection was bad. I’d gotten to tell him I was alive and had made it before losing the connection.
Kalen arranged a car for me even though I told him I could drive. He insisted. When the car pulled up in front of the massive skyscraper with the marquee of King Enterprises, I thought about everything Natalie had said. She’d been right about a few things. I was still here not only for vindication, but the money too. Mostly because it would hurt Royce to part with it, and then, I also didn’t want my mother to have to worry about money ever again. However, money was far my main goal.
Security let me through and gave me a temporary badge. I was escorted to the top floor and into a conference room with a stern warning not to leave. What did Kalen think I would do?
Pent up emotions kept me on my feet doing a slow circle of the room. The walls were made of glass and there were only few people in the office even though it was late afternoon.
I caught Kalen’s approach. The man had swagger, that was for sure. Confidence exuded out of him. Maybe he thought I would back down, but I’d made up my mind. This day was a long time coming.
He blew in the door like a hurricane but didn’t speak until we were sealed inside alone and after he set papers down on the conference room table.
“How much will it take to get you to let this go?” His words were thick with Scottish brogue.
I’d expected something like this, but not exactly. It was too damn easy. “Nothing.”
“You’re willing to submit to a DNA test?” he asked, looking mildly surprised.
My gaze was firm on his when I spoke. “Yes.”
“What is it you want?”
“I want him to admit he was wrong.”
He laughed. “Aye. I must say, you’ll be waiting a long time. Even if you’re his, he’ll never admit it.”
“Even if,” I said, annoyed he suggested my mom was wrong.
“Let me tell you about the man you want to call father. He’s made it clear he has two children by choice because he’s very careful not to leave a seed where it shouldn’t be. Apparently, my grandfather made that law he wasn’t to bring bastards in the world.”
“Well, he fucked up,” I said. “My mother isn’t a liar. She hadn’t been with another man for a long while before she crossed paths with Royce King.”
“I’m not calling her liar. I’m just warning you, laddie. The old man’s no prize. In fact, I wouldn’t be here if not that Connor didn’t want to take over the business. Be prepared, he’s clear on his favorite son.”
“Connor owns a sex club,” I said, with a small grin of victory when I startled him.
“Connor has other interests. But make no mistake, he’s more than capable of running the business. He chooses not to.”
Well, that was interesting. Kalen and Connor had different mothers and didn’t grow up together from what little I found on the web. I would have guessed them rivals except in the company of others. But Connor wasn’t here and Kalen was defending him.
“When do you want a sample?” I asked, wanting to let him know I was serious about getting this done.
“In a minute. I’ll have a nurse come in and then you’re free to go back to Maryland.”
I blinked, hoping the shock didn’t show on my face. They must have done some digging on me since our first meeting.
“I’m staying until we have a result. I would prefer to watch a sample being taken from our father.” I’d purposefully called him that instead of Royce or Mr. King.
“What difference does it make? If we wanted to fool you, we could have a lab give us the result we wanted. Know this, mate, it makes no difference to me if you’re his or not. Whatever Royce leaves in his will won’t change my way of life. I’m a self-made man. I have more than enough money to take care of my wife and family.”
He had kids too. Interesting.
“Are you putting me out?” I meant the hotel. Though I didn’t say that, he understood.
“I would, but it would upset my wife. And I wouldn’t do anything to upset her, especially when she’s pregnant.”