Family Matters Book 2

Cassie

I stir from my slumber, Ana nestled between Xavier and me. The nap has left me feeling refreshed. I glance up to find Xavier’s eyes on me, a smile playing on his lips. He leans in, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Have you been watching me sleep?” I question.

“Yeah,” he responds with a chuckle. “Both you and Ana.”

“For how long?”

“Roughly thirty minutes,” he grins. I stifle a giggle, careful not to wake Ana. As Xavier begins to run his fingers through my hair, his smile slowly fades.

“What’s the matter?” I inquire. He sighs, shaking his head.

“Not here. Let’s head downstairs and join the others.”

“They’re still here?” I ask, puzzled.

“Yeah. They’ve been waiting for you to wake up.” His eyes start to shimmer. “We have something to discuss.”

His words send a chill down my spine. We carefully rise from the bed and make our way downstairs. I can’t help but notice the sadness in Xavier’s eyes as he plants a kiss on Ana’s forehead before we leave the room. My heart starts to race.

As we enter the living room, all eyes are on us. Xavier guides me to the couch, where I sit sandwiched between my father and him. I scan the room, everyone’s faces etched with worry.

“Xavier mentioned there’s something you all need to tell me?” I ask. My father reaches over, taking my hand in his. I look at him, my heart pounding. “What is it? Is the cancer back?”

“No, sweetheart. It’s not that,” he sighs. He tightens his grip on my hand as he begins to speak. “I received a letter this morning. Ana’s paternity is being questioned... and so is the adoption.”

I retract my hand, covering my mouth to suppress a scream. This can’t be real! I look around the room, their expressions confirming my worst fears.

“No!” I shake my head, rising from the couch. I retreat to a corner of the room, Xavier trailing behind me. “Whoever sent that is lying!”

“Cassie,” Xavier says, turning me to face him. “It’s true. Your father’s lawyers have confirmed it.” I wrench myself from his grasp, turning to Sadie with a glare.

“You saw the DNA test results! My dad is Ana’s biological father!” She meets my gaze, tears welling in her eyes.

“I did see the results, but we suspect Joanna may have tampered with them,” Sadie admits. I bury my face in my hands, shaking my head. “Your father is planning to confront her for answers.”

I take a deep breath, turning to my father.

“I’m coming with you,” I declare.

“What?! No!” He protests, rising to his feet and approaching me. “I can’t let you near her. We don’t know what she might say and I don’t want her to upset you.”

“I’m already upset!” I retort.

“I don’t want her to upset you any further,” he pleads. “Please, Cassie. Let me handle this.”

“Fine,” I concede, crossing my arms. “Who is challenging the paternity?” He hesitates, as if debating whether to tell me. “WHO?!”

“Rick,” he finally admits. My eyes widen in disbelief. This is surreal.

“How is that even possible?” I ask. “I don’t understand.”

“We’re just as confused,” my father admits. “I’m hoping Joanna can provide some clarity before we have to confront him.”

“When are you meeting him?” I ask.

“Cassie,” my father warns.

“When?!” I insist.

“After Ana undergoes another DNA test,” he reveals. “Rick and his lawyer want to meet as soon as it’s done.”

“You mean after we confirm he’s really her father?” I ask.

“No. He said he doesn’t want to wait for the results because he’s certain she’s his.” My father’s voice is heavy with sorrow.

“If we end up in court, we’ll need those test results,” he says. “He’s claiming he has enough evidence to prove Ana is his, not mine. He wants to discuss it.”

“You mean he wants to shake you down for money,” I counter. “I want to confront him.”

“Absolutely not!” Xavier’s voice is firm. “You’re not going to that meeting.”

“I’m not talking about the meeting. I want to see him now,” I clarify. “I want to know what he’s after. I’m not waiting for some bullshit meeting.” Xavier approaches me, taking my hands in his.

“I don’t want you anywhere near him,” he pleads. His eyes are begging me to reconsider. But I won’t.

“He’s trying to take Ana from us, Xavier. He’s not doing this out of love or paternal duty. He’s after something else, probably money,” I insist. “I need to know what he wants.”

“You’re planning to give him whatever he demands, aren’t you?” Xavier accuses.

“Wouldn’t you?” I challenge.

“No! I’m going to fight him with everything I’ve got!” he declares. “WE are going to fight this!”

“If he’s really her father, we could lose this fight!” I remind him. “AND I WON’T RISK THAT!”

I step back, tears streaming down my face. “You don’t know what it was like having him as a father!” I shout. My body trembles with pent-up anger and fear.

“The physical abuse…the emotional torment…the abandonment! I WON’T LET ANA EXPERIENCE THAT!”

“Cassie! You need to calm down!” Xavier pulls me close. “Please, Cassie, calm down. I don’t want you or the baby to get hurt.”

I pull away, glaring at him. Damn it! He can’t keep a secret. I turn to face our family.

Our parents and the guys look worried, while the girls are wide-eyed with surprise. I guess they didn’t know.

“Please, Cassie,” Sadie pleads, coming over. “Xavier’s right, you need to relax.” She pulls me into her arms.

“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart,” she murmurs. My dad wraps his arms around us, kissing the top of my head.

“We’ll figure this out, baby girl,” he reassures me. “I don’t want you worrying about any of this, okay?” He pulls back, looking me in the eyes.

“Take care of yourself and the baby. Let us handle this mess.” I smile at him and Sadie. As much as I want to let them handle this, I can’t.

Rick was a nightmare growing up. I can’t let him near Ana, even if it’s shared custody. I step back, steeling myself.

“No,” I refuse.

“But, Cassie…” my dad starts. I raise my hand, stopping him.

“She’s my daughter. I won’t stand by and watch this unfold. I’m going to fight.” I turn to Xavier, smiling. “We’re going to fight.”

My dad sighs heavily, running a hand over his face. He comes over, cupping my face in his hands. He kisses my forehead, smiling.

“Okay. Fine. You win,” he concedes. “But promise me you won’t overdo it.”

“I promise,” I assure him. Xavier pulls me into his arms.

“We won’t let him win, baby. I promise,” he vows.

“Mommy? Daddy?” We look up to see a sleepy Ana rubbing her eyes as she walks towards us. Xavier lifts her up, kissing her cheek.

“Did we wake you?” he asks.

“No,” she yawns. “The bad man woke me up.” Xavier and I exchange confused glances.

“What bad man, sweetie?” I ask her.

“She’s talking about the man from the park,” she whispers. My heart plummets into my stomach. “She had a nightmare about him. It terrified her.” Xavier and I guide her to the couch, settling down on either side of her.

Xavier cradles her in his lap, while I gently stroke her back, trying to calm her.

“Which man from the park?” Xavier inquires.

“A man approached me at the park a few days ago. He claimed he was going to reunite me with my real family.”

She murmurs, resting her head against Xavier’s chest. As she recounts the incident, a tremor runs through me. Xavier senses it, taking my hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I told him he was a bad man for lying. He insisted he wasn’t, but I knew better.”

“Did he attempt to take you somewhere?” Xavier questions her.

“No, daddy. I did what you told me to do when strangers approach me. I ran away.” She gazes up at him. Xavier plants a kiss on her forehead, pulling her even closer.

“That’s my brave girl,” he praises her.

“Daddy, I’m hungry,” she announces. Mia rises from her seat and saunters over to us.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s see what we can find in the fridge.” She extends her hand to Ana, grinning. Ana eagerly takes her hand and hops off Xavier’s lap. Once they’ve vanished into the kitchen, I turn to Xavier, my brow furrowed.

“He approached her at the park. That’s impossible. Isn’t he still incarcerated?” I question.

“I just confirmed it. He’s still behind bars,” Ethan interjects, pocketing his phone.

“That implies he has an accomplice,” Evan deduces. I glance at my father, who looks livid. He excuses himself to consult his attorney. Xavier wraps his arms around me, and I lean into his comforting embrace.

“We need to beef up our security,” Xavier declares. After Joanna, Kyle, and Rick were imprisoned, we had discontinued the use of bodyguards and additional security at our residence.

It seems we’ll have to reinstate that, particularly for Ana. She’ll need constant supervision. I glance up at Xavier, anxiety gnawing at me. He gazes down at me, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“Don’t fret, darling. He won’t get anywhere near her again. No one will.”

Xavier

Someone dared to approach Ana at the park? Over my dead body! After Ana informed us about the man who approached her, Charlie immediately contacted his attorney to relay the incident.

They’re going to scrutinize all of Rick’s visitors and examine all his phone calls. Hopefully, we’ll be able to identify this man.

I was aware that Cassie would be devastated by this news about Ana. I can’t let her stress over this. We’ve already lost one child. I don’t think she could bear losing another.

I don’t think either of us could. When I brought up the baby, I thought she was going to lash out at me. I knew she didn’t want the news of the baby to be revealed this way, but given the circumstances, we had no other option.

After Mia escorted Ana to the kitchen, everyone embraced Cassie and congratulated us on the pregnancy.

We should have been rejoicing over the news of our impending addition, but instead, we’re all consumed with worry over Ana’s situation.

Evan and Ethan immediately began enhancing the security around the house and arranging for bodyguards for Ana. I requested they hire some for Cassie and our other children as well, just to be safe.

I’m not willing to gamble with their safety.

After everyone had left, and we had tucked the kids into bed, Cassie and I sat on our bed, mulling over the day’s events.

“Who do you think Rick is collaborating with?” I ask her.

“I have no idea. Rick doesn’t have any siblings or close relatives,” Cassie responds. “I’m not even sure if he has any friends.” I hesitate before posing my next question.

“Do you think your mother might have some insight?”

“Possibly,” she sighs. She turns to face me, looking me straight in the eye. “We should go ask her.”