Rafe opened Peter’s office door where Elizabeth and Jen waited in the hall. "Are you done in here?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," Rafe said. Her voice resonated in his heart. He'd have to ensure that she wasn't caught up in any of Jennifer's lies. His hand brushed against Liz's arm and a spark rushed through him. Then he stepped away and let the ember be enough to warm him. "Jen, can I speak to you for a moment?"
She tried to sidestep him in a rush to get to Peter inside the office. "We don't have to, Rafe. What you talked about with Peter should be up to him to tell me."
He placed his hand on her arm to stop her from bolting. "That's not what we have to discuss, Jen."
Their gazes met, and he could tell Jen was scared. That look usually meant she knew he’d caught her. "Rafe, we don't have the time. Peter and I must get ready for a luncheon with his board members."
"That's in a few hours, and I can handle my board members without help," Peter said.
"I want to help you."
Without one glance at Jennifer, Peter placed his hand on Liz's shoulder to keep her at his side. "Go. I would like to talk to my sister for a few minutes."
Elizabeth's lips were tight with anger but Rafe couldn’t explain just yet. He nodded at Liz but she turned and looked up at Peter.
Jennifer then said in a deceptively mild tone, "Oh. Sure. Rafe, join me in the east wing sitting room."
She had one chance to straighten this out. He'd not be part of her lie. As she swung open the door for him, he bowed to mock her backside. "Yes, princess."
She turned with her hand on her hip though the white terry cloth of her towel and her damp, loose hair made her seem human instead of the glamorous television star. "Stop."
"You might want to close the door." He pointed toward the open door of the billiard room. The room was made for discussion and playing. Neither one of them picked up a rack or a cue stick. Instead he pointed toward the bar stools and the empty bar. If she wanted everyone to hear then, she'd have no chance to fix this mess.
She held her head high, like she was the wronged woman on one of her shows. "What if I want people to hear us?"
He shrugged and sat down in one of the posh blue high chairs that reflected in the polished marble floors. "Either you tell Peter or I will."
She slammed the door with a bang and then crossed her arms. With her bottom lip out, she pursed them like she was about to whine. "Don't be jealous Rafe."
"Believe me, I'm not." He crossed his legs as he met her gaze. Elizabeth cared about her family, and if he wanted good relations for Brandon then he had to be honest. Besides, honesty was the most important thing and Jen had too much good in her life to throw it all away like this. "I want what's best for you."
She slumped into the seat across from him and massaged her forehead. "Then why would you tell on me?"
"It's wrong to lie to a man about a baby." Jen clearly didn't have a handle on this. He leaned forward. "He'll figure it out in nine months."
She flipped her hair behind her head and pushed her chest out, like she was bored. Rafe wasn't fooled. He knew she lashed out when she was petrified and right now she was wearing emotional armor. "Not at all. I have a plan."
He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Oh God."
The moment he opened his eyes and met her gaze, she sprung her news. "I have an appointment on Friday for a sperm bank. Peter will never know."
The blood drained from his face. He couldn't even flinch. Jen clearly went too far. "Is it his sperm?"
"No, but it's close enough." She twisted in her chair like she had more to say but held her tongue as if waiting for his reaction.
He scooted closer to her and brushed his hand on hers. Her familiar perfume didn't thrill him, but she reminded him of childhood. She’d turned to him when wounded and he’d always helped her. He lowered his voice. "He'll know."
"He won't." Her voice hit a high note and then she swallowed. A moment later she whispered, "I'm using his father's sperm that was left there."
This was too much. He stilled in his seat, and half of him refused to listen to another syllable. After a moment he asked, "How do you even know that exists?"
Jen stood and stared out the window. She didn’t look at him as she hugged her waist. "It came up in conversation when his father was alive, and Peter and I were seeing each other."
He stood and followed her to the window. The woman in the glass reflection was the same lost girl he’d found in the park years ago. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Jen, your mother was wrong about you. You don't have to do this. You don't have to marry a rich man to be successful in life."
She turned her head to look at him and then let out a sigh. "I like money, Rafe. I refuse to go backwards."
Her own past shadowed her future. He kept his voice low. "No one is going to exploit you if you say no. You have a good, well-paying job on your show where you're becoming the star."
"I can't make the Morgan kind of money. No one can." Her eyes became watery. "I can't and I won't stop. Peter loves me."
The truth was hard for Jen, who prided herself on her beauty and her ability to get whatever she wanted. "Peter loved Belle. If he loved you, he'd have chosen you when he had the chance."
She turned her head and gazed at the Intracoastal. "Belle's dead. None of that matters anymore."
"So you're willing to be second choice?" He stepped beside her. Jen needed to be stronger and this wasn't her path. She could do better.
She sniffled and then she clenched her hands against her breasts. "I'm willing to do what I have to. I will win."
"Win what? This isn't war." He stared at the water. Liz had told him he was a father within minutes of seeing her for the first time, but then she hadn't needed coaxing to do the right thing. He swallowed. "You don't have to do anything. Lying to a man about fathering a child crosses the line."
She clenched her jaw, but she still hugged her stomach. "Don't be an idiot. It's for Peter's own good. His father worried he'd never father an heir without me pushing him."
There was no way she truly wanted do to this. Once again she'd been pushed and Jennifer never had a backbone when it came to herself. She should have better self-esteem. "Jen, Mitch caused every one of his children pain. Don't have Peter revert to the man he was before he had Belle and his family. I know I couldn't stand it if Liz hid Brandon from me."
"Liz hid Brandon from you?" Her eyes widened as her hands fell to her sides. "Are you that boy's father, Rafe?"
His face felt hot. He had promised not to say anything and had asked her not to tell anyone. He stepped away. "I misspoke."
"You don't misspeak. I know you and you must be." She took a deep breath and smiled at him. "Does Peter know you’re the father, Rafe?"
His gaze narrowed. Jen always went for what seemed like an advantage. "Not yet."
She tilted her head toward him, like they were allies. "Good. Then I'll keep your secret and you keep mine."
There was no way he'd ever lie about this, though he was honoring Liz’s request for time. He shook his head. Liz would forgive him if he explained to Peter and their parents. Matthew already knew. "That's not how this works. I'll tell Peter I'm Brandon's father right now."
Her hand went on her hip. "No you won't."
Too far. His skin felt like he walked on flames, and Jen needed to grow up. Without another word, he walked to the door and intended to leave. "You have this evening to tell him you're not pregnant, Jen. I'm giving you a chance to set things right for yourself because I care about you."
She called out as the door swung. "Rafe, don't."
"Don't what, Jennifer?" Peter's voice echoed from the hall as he and Liz turned the corner.
Liz's blonde hair and blue eyes shone like she was an angel. Rafe met Liz's gaze. She'd have to forgive him for what he was about to do.
Jen joined him at the door, "Peter..."
Rafe interrupted. He'd not let Jen lie. He took a step toward Liz and held open his hand. "Liz, I told Jen about Brandon."
Liz's hand covered her lips. "I thought we were keeping it quiet. We agreed."
"She figured it out on her own and I didn't deny it." Once they were alone, he'd beg for forgiveness. He should have discussed it with her first. He nodded his head and then lowered his voice. "Can we let our mothers know, Liz?"
"I guess." Liz's face was still white but she dropped her hands to her side. He'd have to explain the whole truth. As they walked toward the veranda and left Jen and Peter to follow behind them, Rafe's heart beat twice as fast.
Peter called out, "What are you telling them?"
"One minute." Liz slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Rafe's body heated but this time, it was all Liz.
The moment he opened the door, his mother stood with playing cards in her hands and her eyes widened as she gazed at his face. "Mi’ja, what's going on?"
"Mom. Mrs. Morgan." He nodded his head at Liz's mother, Isabelle. Then he turned toward his mother again. "I wanted to formally introduce you to your grandson."
Isabelle Morgan held the boy in her lap and ruffled his hair. "I already know Brandon. Are you his father?"
His mother's eyes watered as she turned toward Isabelle. His mother had warned them against ever involving their family with the Morgans. His body tightened as he looked into the sky. "Liz and I met in Vegas."
Pilar went toward Isabelle and picked up her grandson. Then as she held him and stared at the boy, she nodded her head. "Mi’ja, Brandon has your eyes. You have to make this right for him. You know what it's like to grow up without a father."
Yes, he understood. Their father had disappeared. He'd never do that to his own son. He had sworn that to himself, long ago. Liz deserved his loyalty and devotion. He nodded his head. "I will, Momma."
Liz's eyes lightly misted as she hugged Peter and her mother. Then she picked up Brandon and turned toward him. "Rafe, let's go home. We have a lot to discuss."
Yes, they did. He had to tell Liz about Jennifer's lies and stay in Liz's good graces. With Brandon, he had a son and with Liz he had a family. They mattered the most to him.