Page 7 of Severed By Vengeance

“Listen to Cat. She’s a smart woman.”

“I’ll consider it,” he said with a wink, disappearing around the corner.

I leaned over my desk, shoulders slumped. The deceitful smile I’d perfected vanished the instant he was out of sight. And without wasting another second, I dove into the pile of papers.

Twenty minutes later, my head was reeling. Each piece of evidence was more unbelievable than the last. James had been a successful surgeon, yet he allegedly had a paper trail of dirty dealings a mile long. Shaking my head in disbelief, I leaned back in my chair and stared hollowly at the white-paneled ceiling.

It couldn’t be true.

None of it added up to the man I knew and loved.

Shady business deals. Fraud. A supposed mafia hit.

I couldn’t fathom his involvement in that world. I refused.

Tears streamed down my face as I mustered up the courage to keep reading.

Derek Cain. Formerly known as Derek Lyons D.O.B. 11/16/1991

Mother: Sloane M. Lyons

Father: James R. Ford

My heart dropped, breath leaving my body with an audible gasp. I read those words repeatedly, trying to make sense of what they meant.

James had a son.

I’d known him my whole life and loved him like a father. There were pictures of me in his arms just hours after my birth. As far as I knew, he couldn’t have children. This had to be a joke, some sick, twisted prank by someone trying to mess with me.

Burying my face in my hands, realization hit me with the force of a freight train. If James were into corrupt business dealings with the mob, what would stop him from having an illegitimate son? Maybe there was a reason Pam left beyond what I’d always been told.

The last month had been one of the hardest of my life since my brother Frankie’s death. And now, every layer I uncovered about my beloved godfather’s secret life was like a fresh gash into my grieving heart.

I snatched my phone. If anyone knew about his private life and illicit affairs, it would be my dad. They’d been best friends since their residency.

My finger hovered over the call button. Exhaling, I cursed, letting the phone drop with a clang against the wooden desk. This was a conversation that needed to happen in person. Nothing he’d tell me over the phone would relieve these emotions of betrayal. And I prayed my father would be just as blindsided as I was.

I wouldn’t assume a damn thing until I knew for sure.

Glancing at my watch, I pushed to my feet. There was just enough time to confront him before his shift.

* * *

The front door swung open. My dad’s broad smile quickly faded as soon as he took in the sour expression on my face.

“Eva, something wrong?” he asked, ushering me inside and gesturing me into his office. I caught him scanning behind me, worried gaze darting back and forth across the front lawn and driveway. Pricks of awareness niggled up the back of my neck. Ever since I could remember, he kept watch, always cautious of his surroundings. I’d taken it as his way of being a good, protective father. But, somehow, I knew there was more.

How had it never dawned on me before?

“I’m fine,” I said, with a little more sharpness than I’d intended. The lines between his eyes deepened as his dark brows drew together, studying my face.

“Eva, you’re worrying me. What is it?”

“I’m going to ask you a question. Please, don’t lie to me.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but simply nodded. “You know there are no secrets between us.”

I couldn’t help the cynical scoff that left my lips, and he narrowed his eyes.