She bit her lower lip. She wanted to take the offer. Would she make up a story to do it? Or would she stick to her guns, in which case she probably didn’t know anything about the first marriage.
“All right, all right,” she said, finally. “I want it in writing.”
“The money? My word is good, Mom.”
“Fine.” She huffed. “Irene Lucent was your father’s first wife.”
“Nice try.” I couldn’t help a bristling laugh. “You really didn’t know.”
“I—”
“Save it. The Connie Wolfe I know would never have married a budding billionaire knowing another woman was out there who could get a hand on his fortune. I gave you an offer you couldn’t refuse, and you took the bait. Now I know the truth. You actually weren’t lying when you told me you didn’t know anything about Dad’s first marriage.”
She shook her head. “You are definitely your father’s son, Reid.”
“Don’t insult me, Mom.”
“That’s not an insult. He always saw right through me, and so do you. I give up.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Okay, I don’t. But please. I did give birth to all of you. I don’t deserve to live like a peasant.”
“You won’t. But we need your help, Mom. If you ever cared even the tiniest bit about your children, please find it in your heart to help us.”
“I’ve always loved all of you. I did the best I could.”
I regarded my mother. For the first time, a look of pure defeat swept over her face. Did she love us? Maybe she did, in her own warped way. Maybe she had been molested as a child. I didn’t know, and she’d given up any chance of sympathy from me long ago.
“Then help us, Mom,” I said. “Help us find out who killed Dad.”
“All right, Reid. I’ll help you.”
I nodded and grabbed my phone out of my pocket. I’d missed several calls and texts because my phone was on silent. I didn’t silence it. I must have done it by mistake. Calls from the office and from Rock. Texts from Moira, Rock, and Zee.
The latest from Rock.
I’m taking Zee to your place. She’s fine. I have news. Call me.
“I have to go,” I told Mom. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
A little over a half hour later I was back at the Wolfe building riding up to my apartment. The elevator doors parted, and I walked in. “Lydia,” I said loudly. “You here?”
Lydia bustled out of the library. “Good evening, Mr. Wolfe.”
“Good evening. Is Zee here?”
“Yes, she’s in your bedroom. Your brother brought her home about an hour ago.”
“Thanks.”
“Mr. Rock wants you to call him.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Deirdre wants to know what you want for dinner.”
I shook my head. “Not hungry, but Zee might be. Order some Italian or something. Tell Deirdre she can call it a day.”
“Will do.” Lydia bustled away. She’d be off the clock soon as well.
I headed up the staircase and to my bedroom, my heart increasing in speed.
So much going on, but still the thought of seeing Zee made my heart race. I smiled despite myself. If we couldn’t get out of this, I could very well spend the rest of my life in prison for a crime I didn’t commit.
In the meantime, shouldn’t I be happy? Shouldn’t I experience joy? Shouldn’t I make love to the woman who, despite her past at my father’s hand, seemed to want me?
Shouldn’t I use the time I had to feel these emotions that were so new and amazing to me?
I clicked the door handle to my bedroom and opened it slowly.
My master suite was large, and the bed itself wasn’t visible from the door. I expected to see Zee sitting in one of my wingback chairs in the bay window alcove, or maybe she was in the bathroom. But the bathroom door was open and no whooshing of the shower sounded in the air.
God, the shower.
I’d fucked her up against that shower wall. I grew hard just thinking about it.
Easy, Reid. Zee had been through questioning with Morgan today, so the last thing she needed was the Wolfe of Manhattan sniffing around.
I drew in a deep breath, willing my cock to behave. It didn’t, but at least I’d relaxed slightly.
Very slightly.
I continued my walk into the bedroom, and when my bed was in sight—
“Oh my God,” I growled.
45
Zee
He was here. Finally. Reid’s hair was disheveled and his dark blue tie loosened around his neck. His gray suit even looked slightly wrinkled.
This wasn’t normal Reid.
I lay atop his bed, waiting, my nipples hard and ready, my core a throbbing mass of melting jelly.
Had I made a mistake?
This wasn’t in character for me at all, but after the day I’d had, I knew the only thing that would make me close to whole again was Reid. Reid, inside my body, helping me take back what had always been mine.
I’d only forgotten for a while.
He raked his fingers through his hair, his eyes widening. Something sounded softly through the air. Not his voice, exactly. A low hum. A groan? A growl?
Whatever it was, it made me yearn even more as the tickle between my legs intensified.
He stalked toward me, reaching the bed so quickly I thought he might have arrived instantaneously in a flash of light.
“What are you doing to me?” he demanded, his voice low and husky.
I swallowed, my body blushing at his nearness. Chills pricked the back of my neck and traveled to my breasts, forcing my nipples to harden further.
I opened my mouth, but nothing emerged but a soft moan.
“Listen,” Reid said, “this is your only out. Leave now, Zee.”
“I… I don’t want to leave.”
“I’m warning you. If you don’t get off that bed right this minute, I’m going to fuck you all night long.”
“Maybe that’s what I want,” I replied softly.
“Maybe?” Reid removed his suit coat and threw it
