Accidental Knight: A Marriage Mistake Romance(24)

“Darlin’, I warned you,” he tells me, sensing my hesitation. “You want me to stop, now’s the time to say so.”

“No. Go on. Everything.”

“Your old man was already enrolled at North Dakota State when it happened. Jonah took some convincing, but finally came around and agreed to the marriage on one condition. He wanted ’em both finishing college. So he helped them along. Bought them a house in Fargo, paid their tuition, and kept your dad on the North Earhart payroll. Whatever they needed for easy income and real insurance.”

God.

Goosebumps pepper my arms. I shake my hand, loosening my grip on the leather seat so I don’t leave permanent scratches.

It’s insane and a little scary that this stranger knows more about my family than I do.

Clearing my throat, I work up the courage to ask, “But...they were out of school for years before I came around. Or so they always said. I don’t get it.”

“Let’s just say Jonah wasn’t surprised when no kid showed up. Your ma claimed she had a miscarriage, but he doubted she was ever pregnant, which is why he forced her to sign a prenup.”

My stomach flips. Prenup? Gramps forcing her?

It’s almost too much. I can’t imagine my kind, perfectly reasonable grandfather laying down the law so crazily.

Unless...unless he hated her and mistrusted her from day one.

Unless there was always bad blood, and it wasn’t just a relationship that slowly went to hell over the years like I thought.

“Darlin’, you don’t look so good. I think I’ve said enough.” Drake’s voice is a low growl.

“No! I need to know the rest. Everything, like you said.”

“You sure? You sure you can handle it? Because we both know this meeting won’t be easy. Last thing I think either of us want is me having to drag you in there–”

“Drake! I’m a grown woman. Just...tell me.” I’m trying to save face, but I really wonder.

My face has gone ash white. I see it in the quick reflection I catch in the side mirror.

He clears his throat and starts up again slowly. “After college, they moved out east to get their master’s degrees. Then, after so many years of schooling, they needed a break, so they traveled. Spent over a year gallivanting around, seeing the world’s wonders. Then another year, and another, till old Jonah quit trying to convince them to come home.”

That part, I knew. I nod, waiting for the rest.

“Until you were born. Then he made them return by cutting off the free money for their posh lifestyle. Only, a couple months in, he knew it wouldn’t work, them living with him here in Dallas. Working for him when they didn’t give a shit about the company. So, he cut a deal to keep a piece of his family and sent them on their merry way. He...fuck.”

Drake clears his throat, his blue eyes brighter, fixed on the road like a madman.

Holy hell. I’m afraid.

Scared to hear whatever’s coming next. But I have to.

“Drake...” I whisper his name.

“He made ’em sign a custody agreement. For you.”

This time, I can’t stop the gasp hitching my lungs.

“Deal was, you’d live with him every summer, every school break, and every time they went out of the country till you were old enough to have some say. They’d get their damn money. Your ma was fit to be tied, swore you’d never see Jonah again, but your dad talked sense into her. He held up their end of the deal, never tried to keep you from him. So Jonah, he held up his end, too, a generous salary for your father with a full Cadillac benefits package from North Earhart.”

I can’t even breathe. Hot, confused tears sting my eyes.

Needing air, my fingers fumble around for the window controls. But Drake beats me to it, and I’m not even ashamed when he punches the button, letting in the cool Dakota wind.

“They tried to negotiate, always wanted more, several times, but Jonah held his ground. Wouldn’t give them a penny extra unless the new crap they wanted benefited you, Bella. And just between you and me, that’s the only time I’m supposed to let you give in to them. Only when it’s for you.”

“Let me?” I can’t believe I heard him right. “You mean you’re like...my guardian or something?”

Drake nods. Too seriously to be joking. I almost die right there in my seat.

“Jonah just called it 'helper.' It fits. All for your interests, Bella. Nothing else. Jonah made me promise to stand in the way of them fucking you over.”

Hello, emotional cocktail. Today’s special is a flammable mix of confusion, hurt, fear, and nerves. Shaken to hell and back, and then touched with a match and lit on fire.

The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing I’m not alone. Even if I never, in a million years, would’ve ever asked for a freaking 'helper.'

I don’t know what to believe. Or who to trust. Or who Gramps and my parents even were now that I’ve heard this other side.

My ears are ringing. I rub them gently with my palms, slowly squeezing my head.

Each breath hurts my lungs, but at least I’m breathing. Sucking in precious oxygen through my nose, pushing it out my mouth. I lean back against the seat, still holding my head as this sucker punch disguised as news sinks in.

“That’s all I know,” he says quietly. “Plenty to take in, I know.”