Page 26 of Sinner's Storm

“Know a lot of bikers, do you?” I smirked.

“More than I’d like,” Finley muttered. “Look, Delany, I’m glad that you found Harlow’s dad, but in doing so, it has opened a whole new assortment of problems. I know you don’t realize it, but when this city learns that Jason Calloway is the father of your daughter, it’s going to create a shitstorm.”

“Why?”

“For starters, he is a prominent member of society. The rat bastard is always in the papers, going to one event or another. Then there’s his legacy. His dad started Calloway Investments, and when he died in the towers, Jason gave up a promising career as a firefighter and rebuilt his father’s company from scratch. His name means gold in this city. Everyone seeks his financial assistance to make bank. The man can do no wrong. Then there are his charities. The big one is for the families of the fallen. Every year there is an enormous benefit to raise money for the families of the firefighters that died that day. He is like the all-American poster child for everything good and wholesome, and this city fucking loves him.”

“Don’t see what that has to do with me. I’m not going to disrupt his life.”

“You won’t have to, because when the city learns he fathered a child, they are going to dig and dig until they uncover all the dirt.”

“You just said he was squeaky-clean.”

“I wasn’t talking about him, Delany. I’m talking about your father.”

“My father is dead. What does he have to do with this?”

Finley pulled a chair close to me and sat. “Look, Delany, you know I love you, and no matter what, I will always have your back, but what do you remember about your dad?”

Confused, I said, “He was a city firefighter during 9/11 who wanted a fresh start and moved to Arizona, where he died in a house fire years later, along with mom. Why?”

“So, you know nothing about the internal investigation?”

“What are you talking about, Finley? What investigation?”

“There was a rumor going around before your dad left that someone opened an investigation into your dad and his firehouse. However, when your dad left, nothing came of it.”

“What were they investigating?”

“I don’t know. My dad wouldn’t say.”

“Finley, that makes no sense. My dad was a decorated firefighter.”

“I know, but this city never forgets. If the papers get wind that you are Jason’s baby momma, it won’t be long before someone digs into your past. Like Jason, you will be a hot commodity and society will want to know everything about you.”

“I just want to be left alone.”

“I know, sweetie, but it doesn’t work that way. Not in the Big Apple. Everyone is fair game, and the higher up you are on the totem pole, the more interesting you become.”

“I’m nobody.”

“You were nobody. Now you are the mother of Jason Calloway’s daughter, the heir to Calloway Investments.”

Chapter Nine

Storm

What the fuck was I going to do now?

Staring at the paper in front of me, I still couldn’t believe it.

A 99.9% match.

Harlow Campbell was my daughter.

I mean, I knew she was. She looked just like me, but now it was real. I had proof.

Fuck!