There was only one person I wanted to see after my meeting with Mr. Vincent. I knocked on the door loudly.

“I’m coming,” I heard Kaiden yell as I continued to knock.

“What?” Kaiden answered, irritated but his features softened when he saw me.

“Can I come in?” I asked softly, very aware Jack was standing beside me.

Kaiden stepped aside to let me in and Jack remained outside. I bet he knew something was up but I hoped he had no idea for fear Angel would find out. I wasn’t sure how he would react but I was too deep in it to think of anything else other than my own survival.

“What’s wrong Kira?” my brother asked as I paced his living room.

“Is dad still here?” I peered down the hallway.

He shook his head. “I got him somewhere safe.”

“Good,” I breathed and sank down on the sofa.

“What’s going on?” he asked and felt like I was on the verge of having a hysterical breakdown.

“I’m in trouble Kaiden.” Unable to sit still I stood and began to pace again.

“You’re scaring me Kira.” My brother stopped me by taking hold of my arms and I finally stopped to look up at him.

“I’m scared Kaiden.” I revealed in the small voice I would have used as a little girl. I just wanted someone to take control and make everything better. It was something I needed more than anything else.

“Sit down,” he commanded and I did as he said.

He sat beside me. “Now tell me what’s going on. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

I didn’t even know where to start. My mind was scrambled. I wrung my hands.

My brother placed his hands over mine and I lifted my attention back to him.

“Take a breath,” he instructed. “No matter how bad you think things are, there is always a solution.”

I nodded, wanting to believe him.

“You are not going believe this Kaiden. I don’t want to believe it.” I didn’t want any of it to be true. In fact, I wanted to rewind to before the visit to Claire and live in oblivion. The truth had brought me nothing but fear and angst.

“Stop babbling and calm down.”

I nodded, trying my best to calm down so I could tell him what had happened.

“I went to visit Claire.”

He nodded.

“And Andrew Vincent was there.”

“Andrew Vincent?” he asked, questioning if he had heard me right.

I nodded vigorously. “He told me a story of how he met mom. And one thing led to another. They had an affair.”

“You’re kidding, right?” he asked, standing up to step away before he turned to face me again.

This time I shook my head. “I wish.”

“What else did he say?”

I bit my lip as I built the courage to continue. “Mom fell pregnant.”

He frowned and sat down beside me again, taking my hands in his.

I let out an heavy emotional breath. “I’m that baby.”

“That’s…” He couldn’t even finish his sentence.

An array of emotions played across his features. “I’m sorry Kira.” He hugged me and lay my head against his shoulder. I wasn’t alone in this anymore. I had Kaiden.

When I finally withdrew from his embrace he rose and began to pace.

“What else did he tell you?”

I gave him as much information as I could remember but I was sure there were bits I had forgotten. My head was filled with too much information and emotion to co habitat.

“It explains a lot.” He continued to pace and I didn’t take that as a good sign.

“What do I do now Kaiden?” I asked. I needed someone to tell me what to do because I had no idea what was the right thing to do in the situation.

“I don’t know. I need some time to think this out.” He rubbed his chin.

“I really wished I had gone into the witness protection program now,” I said, wistfully. It would have made things so much easier than they were now.

But would I really have been content with a life constantly looking over my shoulder wondering when I found discovered? Would I have been able to walk away from Angel? My heart already knew the answer my mind was trying to work out.

I checked my watch. “I need to get back otherwise Angel is going to get suspicious.”

“You didn’t tell him any of this?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

He hugged me. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. Okay?”

He pulled away to level his gaze to mine.

“Okay,” I said, feeling relieved that he had taken half of my burden and eased the weight I was carrying.

“Just make sure Angel doesn’t suspect anything.”

I nodded even thought I had no idea how to act like my world hadn’t been turned upside down, especially when Angel rarely missed anything. He would know something was up.

I left my brother’s place and headed back to the house. It was late already and when I finally entered the house I could smell dinner had already been made. Angel would definitely be concerned if I didn’t eat dinner so despite my lack of appetite I headed to the dining room.

It wasn’t exactly eating, I was more pushing the food around the plate, deep in thought.

“You’re worlds away,” Angel said, joining me at the dining room table.

He almost never joined me. I was surprised to see him, I straightened up in my seat and tried to hide the jittering nervous girl tightly inside me.

The one who had no idea how to navigate the newly discovered secrets and responsibilities. Taking over the family business and becoming a crime boss. It was laughable.

“I was just thinking about something Claire said today,” I mentioned vaguely, hoping by sticking to the truth as much as possible he wouldn’t be able to tell that I was keeping something from him.

“Jack said you visited Claire yesterday and today. He said you were in a bit of a state both times you left.”

I didn’t miss the fact that he was keeping close tabs on me and it annoyed me that Jack had revealed my emotional state to him.

“We had a lot to catch up on, you know. Two years worth of stuff,” I replied without missing a beat and trying to be old sassy self.

“Glad to see you are feeling better,” he murmured, watching me closely.

“I am.” It was an outright lie. In fact it felt like someone had shaken my entire world and I was still picking up the pieces.

I didn’t know how I was going to deal with everything I’d been handed today. I trusted my brother to figure a way out, if he couldn’t figure something out I was screwed.

It was strange that usually Angel would have been the person I would have gone to when I needed help. This was the first time I hadn’t.

Was I afraid he would change his mind about the whole marriage if he discovered I was the daughter of his opposition?

No, I didn’t believe that, did I?

“Kira,” Angel said my name, pulling me out of my deep thoughts.

“Sorry.” I pushed my plate away. “I’ve had a long day and I’m tired.”

I pushed my chair back and made rose just as Angel stood.

“You’re lying to me Kira. I can tell.” He walked over to me. “What are you hiding Kira?”

I stopped. I had failed miserably. He wouldn’t stop until he figured out what I was hiding and I was no where near ready to unveil my secrets to him.

“I’m not hiding anything,” I said, trying to keep my voice normal so he would believe me.

He let out a sigh. “You went to see Kaiden today. Why?”

I gave a one arm shrug. “I’m still trying to talk him through the fact I got married without inviting him to the wedding.”

Angel openly studied me without even trying to hide it. He crossed his arms.

“I’m your husband Kira,” he began. “I’m here to protect you and keep you safe. I can’t do that if you keep things from me.” He moved closer letting his arms fall to his sides.

He got so close all I could feel was his presence. I fought the urge to do as he said and tell him everything. I needed time to process things, besides I wasn’t sure how he would take it. And that scared me.

I loved him, whether I wanted to or not. My heart ruled my head.

His fingers lifted to trace down my arm. “Now tell me the truth. Why did you go to see Kaiden?”

I did everything I could to stop any outward sign to reveal the nervousness I felt. What did I tell him? He wouldn’t stop until he had something.

What could I tell him to appease him long enough for me to figure out what to do next?

I let out an emotional breath.

His hand curled around my arm as my eyes held his.

“I saw my father,” I blurted out.

It was the truth in some way.

“You’re father?” he asked, frowning. His hand gripped my arm firmly. “Where was he?”

“He was with Kaiden but he isn’t there anymore,” I hurried to add.

I had just thrown my brother under the bus and I felt so bad. But I argued he would understand if he knew the circumstances.

Angel was pacing in front of me and I was seated watching with dread, knowing I was in for a drilling. He was angry and I didn’t know how to handle him. His shoulders were tense under the thin fabric of his shirt.

He had removed his jacket and tie. He had unbuttoned the top of his collar. I had sat silently wishing I hadn’t said anything at all, there was no way I would make the same mistake again.

I thought revealing Kaiden had found our father would be easier than telling him the truth about my biological father Andrew Vincent. Boy had I been wrong. He had exploded.

“I can’t believe you tried to keep this from me,” he yelled. “I’ve been searching for him for two years. I faked your death to protect you. You have no idea how many guys I’ve had working on this.” His voice rose with each word.

I shrank back, wishing I could just disappear. It had been a difficult day and it wasn’t getting any better.

This day wouldn’t end. And just when I didn’t think I could take anymore, it got worse.

“Why wouldn’t you share this with me Kira?” He stopped pacing and moved closer. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Because I was afraid you would react like this,” I shot back angrily. My nerves were shot after the day I’d had and I couldn’t take much more. “Besides my brother is looking after him and making sure he isn’t going to be any more trouble. You think you have a reason to be angry? If anyone gets to shout and scream about my father and what he did, it’s me. Not you. Me. I’m the one who had to hide for two years. I’m the one who put my life on hold because it was in danger. I’m the one who had to marry to make sure I don’t end up in a body bag. I’m the one who has to look over my shoulder each day and hope there isn’t someone out to get me.”

And that wasn’t even the half of it. There was so much more that I couldn’t say.

My breath was hard. The anger I had suppressed for so long exploded to the surface.

For once Angel seemed speechless.

I sighed, putting my hand to my head. My head was feeling stuffing and there was a slight pounding. I swear I was getting another headache and I just wanted to have a hot shower before crawling into my bed.

Slowly, Angel reached out his hand to mine. I eyed him out suspiciously before putting my hand into his. The warmth of his hand surrounded mine as he pulled me to my feet and then did something unexpected. He pulled me to him and put his arms around me, embracing me.

I lay my head against his chest and let out a heavy breath closing my eyes for just a moment so I could let him hold me up. I didn’t have the strength to face hurdle.

He kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry.” His voice soft and tender. So unlike what he was usually like, it took me by surprise.

It was the first time I could remember him ever apologizing to me. I lifted my head to gaze up at him.

“Can I get that in writing?” I asked. It lightened the mood when he smiled.

It lifted my heart and I had to catch my breath. I loved him so much, at times it felt like too much. Was that even possible?

“You know I’ll do anything to protect you, you know that don’t you?” he asked softly. His hand caressed my cheek gently as he gazed into my eyes. I saw the good in him, the part of him that was doing everything he could to keep me out of danger. My heart swelled with love.

I nodded, feeling a tinge of sadness. I didn’t want him to protect me, I wanted him to love me.

“I know that.” I lay my head against his chest and he secured me to him with his arms. It would be so easy to close my eyes and pretend he loved me. It would be so simple.

“You need to let me in Kira. I can’t protect if you if you keep secrets from me.”

The biggest secret of all burned into my conscience. I wanted to tell him, it would probably be easier but I didn’t. I couldn’t even tell exactly why I didn’t. Maybe it was because I had enough and just wanted this day to end.

Tomorrow. After I’ve had some time to think about it and make my peace with it I would tell him. I made the decision and put it to bed. It eased my mind and conscience.

“I’m tired.” I suppressed a yawn.

Angel led me up the bedroom. He undressed me and pulled me to the shower where he showered with me. My mind was numb. I didn’t want to think of the danger, or the fact that Andrew Vincent was my father, or work through my feelings that my mother had never mentioned it to me but she had revealed the secret in her journal.

I didn’t want to think that Kaiden and I were only half siblings or the father who I had believed was my biological for years suddenly wasn’t.

There was so much to work though and I had no idea where to even start.

When we finished in the shower, Angel wrapped a towel around his waist before he pulled a towel around my shoulders.

Once he dried me off I went to my wardrobe and pulled on a night shirt. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and stopped as I saw Angel lean against the counter with his hands. His head hung.

It touched my heart in a way I couldn’t explain. He had always been so strong and for the first time I was seeing the softer side of him. The one that wasn’t always in control, the one who didn’t always have it together.

I wanted to reach out and touch him to assure him he wasn’t alone but I didn’t.

Then he lifted his head and our eyes locked.

There was something in them that pulled me to him. I put my arms around his waist and he hugged me to him. His lips brushed against my temple.

My heart inflated, feeling too big for my chest. I wanted to tell him how I felt so bad. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But I bit my lip, stopping myself. He had made it very clear that he wasn’t interested in declarations of loves. What good would come from telling him? Right then and there, I decided nothing.

If I couldn’t have his heart, I at least wanted him. I lifted myself up to touch my lips to his before I stepped back to see his reaction.

I needed something good after the day I had gone through. He had this way of blocking everything else when he was near and I needed to block out all the unanswered questions I had, all the doubts and fears that I wouldn’t be strong enough. That I would crumble under the pressure of trying to fit into someone else’s expectations.

His arm curled around my shoulders and brought my body flush against his. He kissed me as my hands flattened against his chest.

Disappointed flooded through me when he slowly withdrew.

He lifted my chin to lift my gaze to meet his. “Are you sure this is what you need right now?”

I led him to the bed and pulled my nightshirt off. His hands settled on my hips as he lowered his mouth to mine.

Gently he kissed me, like I was fragile, ready to break. He took me to bed and joined his body with mine with slowly gently coaxing. I held him as he thrust his entire hard length in me.

The sound of our breathing mingled together in the dark as he cherished my body with his. His muscles strained as I kissed him gently. My hands trailed across his back as I lifted to meet every erotic thrust of his body into nine. The emotion built up and I closed my eyes feeling the pressure mount. I groaned and whimpered his name when I came.

He held my hips, burying himself as deep as he could before he stiffened and came. He kissed my neck as he slumped over me. The weight of him pinned me to the bed. I hugged him, loving the feel of his weight on me.

I didn’t want him to move, I wanted to stay right in that moment where there weren’t secrets, deception and fear. There was only love and warmth.

Then he shifted to lie beside me. This time he held me close. My head on his chest, his arm around me, holding me close. I could hear the hammering of his heart against my ear.

I fell a little harder for him in that moment. Just when I didn’t think I could love him more, I did.