Emory cleared his throat. “I’ve always known about you, Renee.”
She frowned. “You knew my parents before I was born?”
“I knew your mother.”
But not your father. Although it wasn’t said, the words rang through the room, carrying with them a dark shadow.
She cleared her throat. “Do you want to explain?”
“You’re my biological daughter, Renee.”
Denial sprang to life in her brain, but he continued.
“I met your mom at market in Dallas. At the time, my wife and I had separated. Your mother was young, vivacious and heartsick after being dumped by her fiancé. We had a brief affair. We shouldn’t have, but…” He paused, his memories obviously painful.
“I went back to my wife, and Carolyn went back home. She married your dad after you were born.”
Renee wanted to yell denials at him, but his words made some mysteries in her life fall into place. After her parents’ death, she’d discovered the date of her birth predated her parents’ wedding. That discrepancy had bothered her.
“Show her the birth certificate,” Emory ordered Hawk.
Hawk walked over to a briefcase, retrieved the document and handed it to her. She stared down at the paper. There on the line for the name of the birth father was Emory’s name.
“When Francois Girouard adopted you, the birth certificate was reissued,” Emory explained.
Her mind tried to comprehend the truth that had been revealed to her. “That can’t be true.”
“It is in the state of Texas,” Emory replied.
“Tell her the rest, Emory,” Hawk urged. The intensity of his voice set her nerves on edge.
Her gaze met Hawk’s. Had he known the circumstances surrounding her birth? Was that the reason he’d acted the way he had? Her brow furrowed. But that didn’t make sense. If he’d known who she was, wouldn’t he have wanted to marry her?
“I didn’t interfere in your life because it would’ve been wrong,” Emory explained. “You had parents who loved you. And if I had tried to be part of your life, too many people—my wife and son, your parents—would’ve been hurt. Now…
“I always kept up with you, Renee. When your folks died, I wanted to be sure you were taken care of.”
Suddenly the revelation was too much for her. She stumbled to the chair by the head of the bed and sat down. “Even if that’s true, why do you want me to marry Hawk? And why tell me now?”
Hawk moved around the bed and squatted in front of her. “Because Emory’s worried that when he announces you as his daughter, the person or persons who kidnapped and killed his son ten years ago might try to do the same to you.”
She turned to Emory. “What’s Hawk talking about? I know that whoever took your son was never caught, but why do you think I would be in danger?”
Emory’s eyes filled with grief. “The police were almost sure that someone in my family was connected with David’s kidnapping and death. Nothing could be proven, but I fear once I announce that you are my daughter, whoever went after David will come after you.”
She’d heard the rumors that someone close to Emory had been involved with the young man’s disappearance, then death, but she’d discounted it as unfounded gossip.
“So how will marrying Hawk change anything?”
“If anything happens to you, my estate will go to him, and whoever is behind this will gain nothing. My family knows Hawk’s history and they know how devoted he is to me. Besides, with Hawk still being a cop—and a lawyer for the Houston PD, it makes him a double threat.”
“What’s to stop them from going after Hawk, too?” she asked in desperation. “I mean, cops get killed in the line of duty.”
“The way I’ve drawn up my will. If something happens to both you and Hawk, then the entire estate goes to charity. Besides, Hawk can take care of himself.”
With a sixth-degree black belt in karate and his years spent as a patrol cop with the police department, she had no doubt that he could take care of himself and could protect her. But she needed time to digest the truths she’d just learned.
“I need to think about this.”
“I know this is a lot to dump on you, Renee,” Emory said. “Only, with the cancer, I don’t have a choice.”
She stood and placed the birth certificate on the bed. “I can’t decide this now.” Grabbing her purse, she started for the door.
“Renee,” Emory called out.
She paused at the door and looked over her shoulder.
“I hadn’t planned on telling you like this.”
“When had you planned on telling me, Emory?” Hurt and bitterness rang in her words, made all the worse by Hawk being there to witness it.
“If things had worked out, I would never have told you. But I’ve run out of time. I had hoped to ease you into the position as president.”
The pain in her heart expanded.
“Why didn’t you plan on telling me?”
“Because I didn’t want to disrupt your life. But now…my board of directors will understand my desire to give my company to my child. It will make things easier for you.”
“You have other family members,” she pointed out.
“And who do you propose I give it to? The person who’s stealing from me or the person who killed my son or maybe the person who’s being paid only to come to work and drink?”
Silence enveloped the room.
Emory’s explanation should’ve helped. Maybe it would when she got past the pain of betrayal. Why hadn’t her mother told her? If she’d lived, would Carolyn Girouard have ever told Renee the truth? She pulled open the door and raced down the hall. She didn’t stop until she slipped into her car. Collapsing in the front seat, she let the tears fall that she’d been holding at bay. Now not only was her future in doubt, but her past was, also.
Hawk stared at the closed door. “I don’t think that went too well.” His statement fell into the quiet room.
Emory sighed. “She’s a levelheaded woman. One of the best I’ve ever met. What we unloaded on her caught her off guard.” Emory’s eyes narrowed as he studied Hawk. “But I wonder? Is there something between you and Renee? Her reaction when I announced I wanted her to marry you seemed rather intense. Is there something I should know, Hawk?”
Damn, Hawk thought. The cagey old fox saw things others didn’t. Hawk was surprised that Emory hadn’t caught on before now about the relationship between Renee and him, but they had taken pains to keep it quiet. Too bad Emory had such a blind spot about the rest of his family. Or maybe he didn’t and that’s why he wanted this marriage to happen.
“Yeah, there’s something you should know.” Hawk slipped his hands into the back pockets of his slacks. “Renee and I have been seeing each other.” He wasn’t going to reveal the depth of their relationship. He didn’t want to think about the Heaven he’d experienced in her arms.
Emory smiled. “Then this request I’m making of you won’t be any hardship, will it?”
How could Hawk tell the old man that they had broken up when Renee had started talking about marriage? He’d already made that mistake when he was a cop going to law school, and he didn’t want to fall into the trap again. Renee hadn’t been able to live