Free Heinous by Debra Webb Page B

were false, the very idea that her father may have led a secret life—keeping his wife and children in the dark and placing them in danger—was disgraceful. Jess didn’t want to ever hurt Dan like that, no matter the reason. It was time she told him the part in all this she’d kept to herself.
    She grabbed a beer and headed back to the sofa.
    He took the cold bottle from her hand, set it aside, and pulled her down next to him. “I’d really like another of those welcome home kisses first.”
    Something about how he said the words stole her ability to speak. Careful of the healing injury on his forehead, she took his face in her hands and pulled his mouth down to hers. She kissed him gently, until her lips started to tremble, and then she kissed him harder. His arms went around her and he lifted her onto his lap. She wanted the kiss to last forever but the burn of tears warned that she’d better take a moment to pull herself together.
    She drew back, licked her lips, loving the taste of him. “I hired Buddy to look into my parents’ accident.”
    Dan trailed a finger down her cheek. “You believe there’s something more than what the trooper’s report said or is this about Spears fascination with you and your past?”
    She braced herself. “One of the photos in that lockbox I found in the Brownfield home was of my father. Amanda says he’s
her
father. Sylvia’s doing the DNA to... see.”
    Dan appeared to digest her words, and then he nodded slowly. “Do you think there’s some truth to Amanda’s story? The photo could’ve been planted. Spears visited your Aunt Wanda a couple weeks ago. She told you she showed him old family photos. He may have taken one or more.”
    Jess wilted against his chest. “I don’t know. Buddy thinks that’s the case.”
    “Glad Corlew and I are on the same page.”
    Despite his nonchalant words, she felt the tension in Dan. He and Buddy had been rivals since high school. They were the two hottest guys in Birmingham back then, only from different sides of the tracks. The football rivalry was legendary. On some level, their competitiveness continued into adulthood.
    “I should have told you before I told him.” After her parents died, she had learned to keep her personal life compartmentalized. First, as a kid so she didn’t have to talk about her dead parents or her foster parents and then later in the pursuit of her career. It was easier that way. “I guess I’m as guilty of wanting to protect you as you’ve been of trying to protect me. With the Allen investigation, Prescott’s complaint, and Dority’s allegations against you, I didn’t want to add this on top of all that until I was sure. I haven’t told Lil either.”
    For an instant disappointment flickered in his eyes, then it was gone. “I’m glad you told me. I know this was about protecting me and not about a lack of trust.”
    “Of course it wasn’t about trust!” The last thing she wanted was for him to feel she didn’t trust him. “I couldn’t bear the idea of you seeing me in that light.” She hadn’t admitted that part to herself until a moment ago. “I’ve worked really hard at not being the poor little orphan girl. Adding a father with a sketchy past is difficult to swallow.”
    “Jess.” He took her hand in his, kissed it gently, the pain she felt reflected in his eyes. “I’ve never looked at you that way. All I’ve ever seen is this strong, intelligent, and beautiful woman who stole my heart in high school and still has it.”
    “It’s ridiculous, I know.” She blinked at the burn in her eyes. Dammit, she hated getting emotional like this. “I haven’t thought about my childhood in decades until now. I should have seen this coming. We all have our Achilles Heel and Spears found mine.”
    “You and Lil went through so much as kids.” Dan caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “If our children are as strong as the two of you, they’ll do well in life.”
    “Thank