She stared at him, not answering, not even attempting to answer. Her eyes welled up once again and Graham waited. What had he said wrong? He had a million questions, but right now he wanted to know how she was feeling.
“I know this is your child, but...” Eve’s words died away as she turned her back to him. Graham reached for her shoulders, but pulled back at the last minute.
The only sound in the room was Eve’s shaky breathing. The lights of the Chicago skyline spilled in from the window. They’d shared some intense experiences in this office, but nothing compared to the intensity of this moment.
“Why do you care?” she whispered.
“Because you’re carrying a Newport.” Damn, that sounded heartless. Why was that his first response? Why did he have to sound so cold?
Because he couldn’t let himself feel anything else for Eve. He had to remain detached. Their families made the Montagues and the Capulets look like besties and he couldn’t cross the emotional boundary with her. Granted, having a child together was crossing the point of no return, but that didn’t mean they had to set up and play house together. Plenty of children had parents who didn’t live together. Whatever the arrangement, Graham wouldn’t let his child ever want for love, stability or a solid foundation.
Squaring her shoulders, Eve turned and swiped her damp cheeks. “Well, I have some emails to send. I’ll text you all the specifics about my doctor’s appointment, but if anyone sees us coming and going—”
“You’re dismissing me?” Unbelievable.
Her eyes didn’t hold the heat or the light he was used to seeing. Now she stared at him as if he were merely a business associate. “I have work. Surely you understand.”
“I understand you’re trying to keep some ridiculous wall between us.” Anger bubbled within him. He didn’t know what he wanted her to do or say, but he sure as hell didn’t want this unfeeling Eve. “I’ll be at the damn appointment if I have to sneak in the back way.”
Eve nodded and moved around him to settle back in at her desk. She wiggled her mouse until her screen came back to life. And right there was Sutton’s face smiling back, with his hand holding Eve’s. Graham had not only been dismissed, he was being mocked by a man who wasn’t even in the room.
“We’ll talk later,” he promised, heading toward the door. “Don’t believe for one second this changes what we had going, Eve. I still want you, and if you’re honest, you want me, too. That passion isn’t something that can be turned off.”
Her hands froze as she gave him a sidelong glance.
“I’ll give you the space you want,” he went on, gripping the door handle. “But you better get ready because I won’t be far and I won’t wait long.”
With that vow, Graham stormed out. Game on. Graham wasn’t concerned about how their families would react to the baby. He refused to allow anything other than complete and utter love and acceptance. No, what Graham needed to concentrate on was the fact he wasn’t done with Eve, in the personal sense that had nothing to do with their child.
And if she thought he was going to walk away from her or their child, well, she was about to find out that a Newport always got what he wanted.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Carson threw his cards down onto the green felt and leaned back in his seat. “You’re moping like a woman.”
Graham wasn’t in the mood for company, let alone playing poker and chatting with his brothers. But when Carson had stopped by earlier, he’d apparently picked up on Graham’s doldrums right away and called for reinforcements, texting Brooks to come, as well. Now here they all were.
Graham proudly laid down his royal flush and raked in the chips. Maybe he wasn’t in the mood, but he’d been on a winning streak. After sorting the chips by color and putting them away, Graham got to his feet and took his empty tumbler back to the built-in bar.
“I’m done here.” Graham refilled his glass with his favorite bourbon. “I’ll go put on The Maltese Falcon.”
They had an ongoing tradition that stretched back to a time when they lived with their mother and Gerty. Gerty introduced them to the Hollywood classics and insisted they watch them together. To this day, they continued to honor her tradition.
Graham missed her. She was a strong woman, a woman who refused to let life knock her down, and she’d do anything to help others. His mother had been just as strong. A lump formed in his throat as he slid his fingers over the remote to start the movie. Each day seemed to be better than the last, but he knew he’d always feel the void from the loss of Gerty and his mother.
Graham had so many questions now that his mother was gone. She’d been single, pregnant and scared when she’d come to Chicago. Had she even told Graham and Brooks’s father that they existed? Had he knowingly turned his back on her or did he have no clue he’d fathered twin boys?
These were questions Graham may never have an answer to. Cynthia took her secrets to her grave. The truth would be something he and Brooks would have to uncover all on their own. At least they had ruled out Sutton as their father, which was a blessing in itself. But the bastard knew the truth and was dodging them. His time was limited, which meant that Graham had to take drastic action if he wanted answers.
The idea of using Eve to obtain the information had his stomach in knots, but she was carrying his child and if Graham had to let that news slip to Sutton in order to get information...well...
Graham heard his brothers behind him as they came into the home theater. But his mind wasn’t on the movie or even the idea of his father out in the world somewhere. His mind was on Eve. The parallel between her and his mother’s experiences wasn’t lost on him, but there was a huge difference. Graham planned on being part of this child’s life. Eve wouldn’t be alone, she wouldn’t have to worry about facing this without support.
“He’s still got that look,” Brooks muttered. “He won every damn hand and still looks like he’s ready to punch the wall.”
“Your face would do,” Graham replied without glancing over. “I like my walls intact.”
“If you’re going to fight, at least pause the movie,” Carson interjected. “I know we just watched this one a few weeks ago, but it’s still my favorite.”
Graham shook the ice cubes around in his glass. “I’m not going to hit anything, but if you two keep discussing my mood, I’m likely to change my mind.”
Graham turned the volume up until the surround-sound speakers hidden around the room were blaring. He’d had enough of the chitchat and getting in touch with his feelings.
There was no mention of Sutton tonight, which was a relief. Brooks had his PI on the hunt for their father, and apparently there was still no news. Maybe they could just have a regular night like they used to. Something bland and boring. Graham never thought he’d wish for such a thing, but lately his life seemed to be heading in about twelve different directions.
His cell vibrated in his pocket. Setting his glass on the table next to his theater recliner, Graham slid the phone out and held it down to his side so his brothers couldn’t see. The screen lit up with Eve’s name. He wasn’t going to reach out to her just yet. He wanted to leave her wondering when he’d be back, when he’d make a move. There was an ache in him that drove him insane and he wanted her to be just as achy, just as needy.
He quickly read her message.
Dr. McNamera November 17 9:00
That was all. Nothing more, nothing personal.