Free Changing Fates: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 3) by Kristan Belle

don’t believe me?” Tears flooded her eyes, but Kelton felt no guilt. He needed something more than just the word of a woman that he knew for a matter of hours several years ago, and a woman he didn’t trust to boot.
    “You can understand why I’m asking for this.”
    “I don’t! I don’t understand, Kelton.” She dabbed delicately at her eyes.
    “I need confirmation.”
    “What are you asking? You want to take a paternity test? Is that what you want?” Cassandra’s tinkling laughter sounded nervous and contemptuous, like she couldn’t believe he would stoop to that level.
    “Yes. That is exactly what I’m asking you for.”
    The room fell quiet again. Cassandra and Kelton were looking anywhere but at each other. Marion felt awkward being there during such a personal conversation, but she wouldn’t leave Kelton. He needed and wanted her to be there for him, for moral support and because he didn’t want to be left alone with the woman. She could understand why now. Cassandra was a woman who clearly knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted.
    “I can arrange this for you, if you’d like.” Marion offered quietly.
    Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “I’m more than capable of arranging for the test myself, thank you very much.” Her tone had changed considerably now that she knew why she was here and now that Kelton had made it clear that he didn’t have the least bit interest in her.
    Marion held her hands up, “It was just an offer. I’m happy to help if it can make things easier for all involved.”
    “I would like Marion to arrange the test.” Kelton said.
    “No. I can do this.”
    Kelton shook his head and glared, “Marion will do this.”
    “Pardon? Excuse me? You don’t trust me with this, either? Kelton, what has happened to you?” Cassandra looked highly offended.
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Kelton could have kicked himself for asking that, which was just what Cassandra had wanted him to do.
    “You weren’t like this before, so jaded.” Cassandra’s eyes flared.
    Kelton laughed ruefully. “You have no idea what I was like back them, or what I’m like now. Don’t try and delude yourself. You don’t know me. We don’t know one another and never have. All we have in common was one mistake.”
    Kelton took in a gasping breath. He hadn’t want to lose control of his words or his temper like that. He had wanted to keep things as professional as possible, hence why when he had phoned to request this meeting, he’d arranged for it to be held in his office at the academy. Cassandra had suggested an informal coffee, but Kelton had wanted to keep everything above board. However, he couldn’t pretend, not the way that Cassandra was. She had obviously got it into her head that they shared a deeper connection, when in reality, they shared nothing. They didn’t know one another and never had. He didn’t know her then and he sure as hell didn’t want to know her now.
    “I don’t know how you can say those things to me, Kelton.” Her voice hitched emotionally.
    “Because it’s the truth.”
    “Do the girls know? That Kelton may be their father?”  Marion asked gently.
    Cassandra’s head swung around to face her, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Who are you again? Why are you here? What right do you have to be here when we are discussing our personal affairs?”
    Kelton banged his fist down on the desk before Marion could even summon a reply, making both the women jump. “She’s here because I asked her to be. She’s here because I don’t bloody trust you to answer me straight and get this done.” He roared.
    He had come into this meeting determined to try and get on with this woman, just like he would with the parent of any other trainee, making sure he was professional and courteous throughout. He just couldn’t keep up the façade a moment longer. This woman infuriated him with her mere presence. She represented everything he had lost and