Forbidden Secrets. Charlene Sands

in that Halloween costume.

      “That man can rot in hell for all I care.” Brooks rested his back against one of the thick, white columns of the portico. “I’m happy for Carson, but damn it. That man is infuriating.”

      Graham stepped forward, shoving his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders against the chilly breeze. “Carson has been on the fence for a while now. He wants to forgive Sutton. I hate to come to the guy’s defense, but he didn’t know Carson existed.”

      Brooks jerked his gaze around. “Are you serious? You’re going to stand there and make excuses for the guy? If Mom was the love of his life, as he claims, then he would’ve moved heaven and earth to be with her. And he damn well would give a portion of his estate to his biological son.”

      When Graham didn’t reply, Brooks narrowed his eyes. “This has to do with Eve, doesn’t it? You’re still hung up on her.”

      He was the father of her child. Which was a few levels above being “hung up on her.”

      “I’m stating the obvious, that’s all.” Graham wasn’t about to bring Eve into this discussion. She had enough on her plate without being further caught up in this battle. “Sutton and Carson need time to talk alone. You and I will only make things worse.”

      Brooks started pacing on the stone walk. “I need Roman to come up with something concrete. I’m putting all my faith in him to find our father.”

      “I know,” Graham said, hating how much this issue was controlling Brooks’s life. “But it will happen. We can’t run into dead ends forever. Something will turn up. Someone somewhere knows the truth.”

      Brooks snorted and jerked his thumb toward the house. “Yeah. He’s in there.”

      Graham stared at the double doors. Sutton knew. Absolutely without a doubt he knew. But Graham refused to beg the man. He would find out on his own. He would not give Sutton any satisfaction in getting one up on him. Ever.