Page 96 of Under Ground

“Reece.” Pania lays a hand on his arm. “I know this is messy, but—”

“That’s an understatement.” He runs his free hand through his hair. “This is a lot to take in.”

She wraps her arms around his waist, and he enfolds her in his embrace, closing his eyes.

“It’s okay,” she says.

“I need to go home.” His voice shakes.

Pania pulls away and nods. “Let’s go.” She turns back to me. “Sorry.”

“No. I’m sorry. This is a lot to dump on us.” I try to meet Reece’s gaze, but he won’t look at me.

“Give him some time. This is really big news.” Pania places her palm on my chest as if to stop me from following them. Reece leaves the room, and I swallow hard.

“For both of us,” I reply.

Pania draws in a deep breath and nods. “This is a lot to take in. Reece thought he knew everything about what happened to his parents, but this is a huge bombshell. And all this time, he thought he was alone. His grandmother died about nine years ago, and he’s only had a sense of family recently.”

She pulls away and turns toward Mom. “I’m Pania. It was nice meeting you.”

Before she leaves, she hugs Lana and Delaney. And then she’s gone, and the room is silent.

“We’ll give you some space,” Josh says. Delaney takes a step and then pauses. He links his arm in hers and gives her a pointed look. I know she’ll want to stay here for Lana, but I’ll be her rock. Besides, this is something I need to sort out with my family.

“Thanks, Josh. Delaney.” I nod toward them.

“We should go and check on the kids anyway,” Delaney says. She looks at Lana. “Come and get me if you need me?”

Lana nods. “I will.”

Delaney leaves, glancing over her shoulder at us before closing the double doors that lead to the hallway. I’m so glad for their hospitality, but so embarrassed that this is taking place in their house.

Not only does this impact Reece, who is effectively one of my bosses, but now, we’re having this discussion under the roof of his friend and business partner.

If this all goes badly, I am sunk.

A falling out with Reece and Josh won’t go unnoticed. And they have a lot of influence in this city.

I point at my mother. “You are telling me the whole story, and why you didn’t tell me earlier.”

She holds up her palms. “I didn’t mean to start a drama.”

“Well, you did. How did you think that would go down, Mom?”

She sighs and sits on the couch. “Well, I didn’t. I didn’t expect to have that reaction seeing him, but he does look so much like his father. You do, too, but not as much.”

Lana places her hand on my shoulder. “How about I get us all a coffee top-up, and we can talk this out?”

I know she’s asked a question.

I know I have to answer.

But this information swirls around my head. Reece and I share the same father? I can’t focus.

“I think that’s a very good idea,” Mom says.

“I’ll go and find Delaney, and we’ll sort it out.” Lana pecks me on the cheek. “It’ll be okay.”