“Yes. How is everything going for you?”
Ceinlys’s smile was genuine this time. “Oh, marvelously. I’ve never been better.”
Chapter Twenty
After a brief internal debate, Vanessa decided to have the meeting at her place. Mark offered one of his restaurants, but that was too public. She bought some pre-made finger foods and hors d’oeuvres from the local organic grocery store and laid everything out. Her brothers could eat like horses, although she wasn’t sure how much appetite they’d have once she dropped her bomb.
She rubbed clammy hands down her denim capris. Nerves fluttered in her belly, and jittery energy crackled along her skin.
Justin laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’s going to fine.”
“Yeah,” she said tightly, and forced a smile. “Of course.”
They didn’t have to wait very long. All her brothers—except Shane—showed up within five minutes of each other, entering her living room one after another. Jane and Hilary had also come, since they were more or less family now as well.
Vanessa had always thought of her place as large and comfortable, but with so many people inside she felt claustrophobic.
Breathe. You can do this.
“Thanks for coming, everyone,” she said, rubbing her hands together.
“I don’t know what’s so important that we have to talk face-to-face,” Dane said, his voice cool. “You could’ve just emailed us.”
“This is…extremely personal,” Vanessa said. “Why don’t we sit down?”
“You mind if I grab something to eat first? I haven’t had a bite since ten thirty,” Mark said.
She shook her head, amazed her restaurant owning brother went hungry. “Yeah, fine. Let’s get some food and sit down then. I think it’s better I say it when you’re seated.”
Dane gave her an odd look. “What did you do?”
“Nothing,” she muttered.
“Did you hear from Shane?” Iain asked.
“No. But I saw Ginger with some other guy.”
A stunned silence filled the room. Then Dane erupted. “What?”
“Justin was there too.”
“That bitch.”
“I wouldn’t be too quick to judge,” Justin said dryly. “She said Shane dumped her.”
“She’s lying,” Dane said. “That boy’s been whupped since high school.”
“Maybe he became un-whupped,” Vanessa said. “Regardless, if he decided he no longer wants her and broke it off cleanly, it’s all good. They’ll be spared the expense and hassle of a wedding.”
Dane’s cold look said he still held Ginger in the wrong, but Vanessa ignored it. He’d think whatever he wanted, and the issue between Shane and Ginger wasn’t something she wanted to talk about.
“So is that why you wanted to have us here?” Iain asked.
“Dane’s sort of right about this one. You could’ve just texted us,” Mark said.
“No. Ginger is actually kind of…minor news. Please sit down.”
They did, including Jane and Hilary, who were looking at Vanessa with concern.
Vanessa stayed on her feet and clasped her hands together. “There’s no easy way to say this, so… I met my half-sister recently.”
Everyone except Justin and Dane froze. Dane sighed and said, “Do you suppose we can sue the condom company Dad used? This is getting ridiculous.”
“Is this half-sister for real?” Iain asked.
Mark gulped down some water. “Does she want fifty million bucks too?”
“No. She’s actually, um, not related to Salazar at all. Or…you.”
“Huh? But if she’s your half-sis—”
“She and I share a father. And it’s not…Dad. Mom took a lover back in the day and she’s his daughter.” Vanessa looked around. “Just like I am.”
Dane’s expression twisted like he’d just eaten a bug. “Let me guess. Now that she found out you’re a rich man’s wife, she wants to share in the bounty.”
She flinched. That was the first thing Dane was worried about? “It wasn’t quite like that. She said her mother had cancer.”
“What does that have to do with you?” Dane asked.
“She asked me to help pay for her mother’s treatment.”
Dane laughed. “Don’t tell me you fell for that line. You’re a lawyer!”
Vanessa scowled. “What does being a lawyer have to do with this?”
“Because I’m sure you’ve heard the sorts of lies people tell to get something for nothing. Haven’t you dealt with cases that are essentially legal extortion? Everyone has a mother or child with cancer when they discover a rich relative.”