for Patrick, but for you? What if his plan was for you to meet her and then to drop the bombshell?”
“What fucking bombshell?” Sparrow asked. “There’s something wrong with these damn tests. Do them again.”
“Three times,” Reid said. “Dr. Dixon ran it three times. The results didn’t change.”
“So,” Sparrow turned to Mason, “if that was Ivanov’s big secret, did he think I’d welcome this long-lost relative with open arms and present her with half the Sparrow dynasty?”
Again the room settled in silence with only the sound of computer keys tapping as Reid continued his search. The revelation hit me—hit me as it simultaneously made itself known around the room.
“Maybe it wasn’t Madeline who Ivanov was keeping a secret,” I said.
Sparrow’s dark eyes met mine. “Ruby?”
Closing his eyes, he lowered himself to one of the chairs. “Is she supposed to be a threat?” He looked around. “Ivanov thinks he can use a sixteen-year-old girl as a threat to my kingdom and my power?”
“If that was his plan, he no longer has control over her,” Reid said.
Mason stood. “Why would Hillman try to kidnap Madeline’s daughter?” When we didn’t answer, he continued, “No offense, Patrick. It could have been because of your connection, but damn, if he knew that she is part Sparrow…?”
“How the fuck would he know?” Sparrow asked. “Nothing is confirmed.”
“It makes sense,” I said, standing. “That’s the answer to my why question: why didn’t Ivanov try to marry Madeline? Why has he taken care of and responsibility for Ruby?” I looked at my friends. “Listen, I know there are good men and women in this world who willingly take on other people’s children. I’m grateful that Ruby is safe and alive, no matter who afforded her that protection. But what little I know about Ivanov, he’s not a good man with a kind heart. Fuck no, he has no bounds for what he will do to perpetuate his power.”
“The goddamned answer,” Sparrow said through a clenched jaw, “is fucking obvious. Sixteen years ago, I wasn’t in charge. I don’t know why or how anyone knew, but there’s only one possibility. Madeline is roughly months younger than me. That rules out my mother having a secret love child. That leaves one man.”
“Allister,” we all muttered under our breath.
There were no bounds to Sparrow’s hatred of his father. If what he said was true, this revelation would not endear Madeline and Ruby to Sparrow.
Sparrow stilled his pacing. “How did Ivanov know? Assuming he did, how?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” Mason said.
Sparrow looked at me. “Forget what I said before. Go get Madeline. I want answers. I’m not offering her the keys to my kingdom; I don’t give a shit how closely we’re related. I earned this damn kingdom by enduring my father for as long as I did.”
My gaze met his as the muscles in my neck tightened. “I know how much you despised that man. I get it. I also hate to be the one to point out that you grew up with a fucking silver spoon in your mouth.”
Sparrow’s dark gaze narrowed. “Watch it.”
“I’m saying, don’t start a conversation with my wife about how much you endured unless you’re willing to go toe-to-toe with someone who grew up on the streets. We all have our ghosts.”
His neck straightened as his shoulders came back. “I earned this.”
“You did—with us by your side. Let’s get answers before we start comparing miserable childhoods.”
Mason and Reid remained silent, yet it was known that the two of them could easily join this conversation. We were an odd gathering of damaged souls. We’d all endured, and together, we’d emerged.
Sparrow nodded. “I want to know what we’re up against, what Ivanov knows, and how the fuck this happened.”
“And bring her here?” I asked for confirmation, recalling Sparrow’s multiple admonitions to the contrary.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “Bring her here.”
Patrick
With the new revelations swirling around, all four of us exited two. As the steel door shut, closing off our command center, and we waited for the elevator, individually our minds were lost in our own thoughts. I couldn’t imagine what Sparrow was thinking, and at the moment, it wasn’t my concern. Mine was the young lady up in the penthouse and getting her mother, ensuring her safety. My mind told me that there was more to it, this Madeline and Sparrow connection, yet I didn’t care. I hadn’t cared when we became friends, when she was a homeless girl with nothing to her name. I hadn’t cared