Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(20)

He'd also wanted to give her a disdainful look and mutter something nasty like, "Not interested," or, "Been there, done that." But his mouth had been too dry to say anything, so he'd settled for a snort and forced himself to turn away like he didn't want to bury himself inside her for old time's sake.

As he'd moved off, he'd come across pictures and graded papers on the refrigerator. Instantly, his mind had returned to the right track.

Cassidy.

He was there for Cassie. Not Ellie. Never Ellie. He'd burned the Ellie bridge, then he'd set the whole damn forest on fire so another could never be rebuilt in its place. And then he'd gone and flooded the banks between them. There was no way, no how, he'd ever cross back over. Too much pain and anger and hurt had filled their last few weeks together.

Yet, from the rubble of their ruined relationship, an amazing child had emerged.

Except for those few weeks when he was about to be a daddy, he hadn't thought about having his own child. And back then, he'd been too freaked out to think much at all.

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Now, however, his mind whirled. He was a father. He had a daughter. And he wanted her.

Already thinking up a contract for parental rights, Boston turned down his street. Tomorrow, he'd have to research custody and child support. God, he probably owed a fortune in child support. He was going to have to calculate that and be prepared in case Ellie fought back. Still deep in thought, he pulled into his drive and sucked in a breath, slamming on the brakes when he found his way blocked.

Damn, he should've expected this. Half a dozen cars—none his own—crowded into his half-circle drive. His parents', his brother's, Cameron and Olivia's automobile, along with all his sisters' cars sat waiting for him.

As he parked behind his parents' Dodge Avenger, the front door of his house opened and the hoard spilled out, making him regret ever giving anyone a spare key.

Staying in his Infiniti a moment after killing the engine, Boston closed his eyes and wondered briefly why he couldn't have been born an orphan. He didn't want company right now. He didn't want all the questions and concerns. He just wanted to lock himself inside his house and quietly digest the evening he'd just spent with Cassie...and Ellie.

But no, there was no way that was going to happen. Not with his family. His door was pulled open and Olivia's voice immediately asked, "Is she yours?"

A dozen people crowded the opened space as he blew out a lungful of air and climbed from the driver's seat. Someone shut the door behind him, and he studied the quiet, expectant faces. It was after midnight, but no one seemed concerned 80

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

about the time...or even tired for that matter. His yard lamp spotlighted them, and he could tell they were all going to get about as much sleep tonight as he was, which was absolutely zilch.

Relishing the moment of quiet, Boston slid his hands into his pockets before he murmured, "She's mine."

And yes, here it came. The flood of words that poured forth about knocked him off his feet. Everyone spoke at once, yet he couldn't hear anything a single person said.

Glowering at his brother standing beside him, Boston hissed, "Couldn't have kept your big trap shut for one more day, could you?"

Monty opened his mouth to defend himself, but Olivia jumped in. "He didn't spread the news. I did."

Whirling toward her, Boston gaped at his cousin's wife. He couldn't rail at her the way he could his brother, but he did send her an irritated scowl.

"And thank God she did," his mother, Diane Kincaid, cut in.

"Who knows when your father and I would've learned we have another grandchild." She paused as if suddenly realizing her own words. Then, setting a hand on her head, she looked like she was going to pass out as she rasped, "Oh my God.

That makes seven. I have seven grandchildren."

Her husband, Lincoln, caught her arm to keep her steady.

As two of her daughters reached out to help her as well, Boston clenched his teeth to keep from apologizing.

"I was going to tell you," he said. "Just as soon as I found out one way or another."

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Oh, like you told us when this woman got pregnant ten years ago?" Diane asked, straightening from her near swoon.

"Montgomery said you thought she'd had a miscarriage, so you obviously knew you'd gotten her pregnant at one point."

Boston seared an arch look Montgomery's way.

"Hey," Montgomery said, lifting his hands defensively.

"They already knew most of it by then. I just filled in the details."

"What's the girl like?" his sister, Madison, asked.

"Where exactly do they live?" Cameron butted in. "What part of Lawrence?"

"How could you not tell us you'd impregnated someone, Boston?" his mother wailed. "We never met this girl...Ellie whoever. I don't even remember you mentioning her. And why in the world did you not stick around long enough to realize she hadn't had any kind of miscarriage? I don't understand how you could have a child and not even—"

"Look, Mom," Boston cut in wearily, setting a hand on his aching temple. "Can I get a rain check on the lecture tonight?