Chapter 19
Thomas
It took a lot to make me nervous, but Shannon Hughes Jones was doing a great job of it.
My official assessment after viewing the family photos of Axel in the hallway made me believe she was a good mother.
The way she cried upon seeing Mason was heartfelt.
I just hoped he came away better than he was going in.
Something told me I was going to be wrong.
I glanced at Axel for confirmation. When our eyes met, he dipped his head to confirm the story was accurate. When the pause lasted longer than before, he prompted her with a question. “What happened after you met him at the pub, Mum?”
She smiled up at him. “He walked me to my flat and kissed me goodnight. He was a gentleman. Didn’t try to come in, even though I would have welcomed him.
The next morning, he showed up with pastries and flowers, and I was smitten.
” She placed her hand over her heart. “I just knew he was the one, so giving my heart to him was easy, even though he had one more year of school before he was free. When he left London, he promised to come back and that we would stay in touch.”
“Did he keep his word?” Mason asked.
She nodded with a wistful smile. “Yes. He called when he could, and we sent emails to one another. Hotmail had just started, so it made things easier. I missed him terribly, and to make the time pass, I spent my time focusing on my new job until he made it back to me. Each time he left, it got more difficult. I’d cry for days.
I even looked into going to America, but he wanted me to stay.
He wanted to live here when he finished his education and start his career.
Davis returned two more times before things changed.
Each time he came back, I could sense something weighing on him, but when I asked, he said it was business, and he’d take care of it.
We’d survived a year when he came back the next June.
It was the summer he told me he wouldn’t be coming back. ”
“Why?” Mason asked. “Did he give you a reason?”
I watched as her lip trembled. “Rather than staying in the UK, he was starting a new venture in New York that would save his family’s business. His father needed him to manage a merger.”
“He didn’t want you to go with him?” Mason asked.
“No. He said it was complicated, and if he could find a way around it, he would come to me.”
Shannon went back to fiddling with the tissues, as if she needed something to do with her hands. A tear slipped down her face, but she wiped it away. Perry put his arm around her, and she leaned into him.
Mason stretched a hand out to her across the coffee table. She looked at him and grabbed it. “We don’t have to do this if it upsets you.”
Shannon smiled at her youngest son. “Thank you, dear. You deserve to know.” Her gaze went to Axel. “You both do. But no matter what happened, please know you were conceived in love and heartbreak, and what happened was… not what either of us wanted.”
Mason tightened his jaw and nodded. He didn’t reply, but Axel was seething. I wasn’t sure how long he was going to be able to control his anger.
“When Davis went back to America, I cried myself into a depression. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, I was just miserable.
I went so long without eating that I made myself sick.
When I tried to eat and couldn’t hold down food, I went to the doctor.
That’s when I found out I was carrying you.
” She smiled at them. “I was so happy when I found out. I hoped it might change things between us, that he could come back to me. But that didn’t happen.
When I explained to Davis that I was pregnant, he cried with me.
We were happy until he finally told me about his business arrangement.
And the part Melinda played. He was marrying her to save his family’s business. ”
“Motherfucker,” Axel growled between his teeth.
He clenched his fists as if he wanted to punch something.
And Mason wasn’t handling it much better.
“So the asshole got you pregnant and left you with two babies to marry someone else. Then he had the balls to take one of us to give to her? Was my brother a goddamn wedding present?”
Mason flinched at Axel’s words as Perry spoke. “Axel, you have every right to be upset, but this isn’t helping anyone.” He hugged Shannon close to him.
I rubbed his back, knowing Mason wasn’t a wedding gift. From what Axel told us in the pub, taking Mason to the States was means for Davis Kennerly to have both worlds.
“My father told me I was part of their prenuptial agreement. He wouldn’t marry her unless she agreed to raise me as her son.”
His mother looked horrified. “I didn’t know that.
I swear.” Shannon looked at him with pleading eyes.
“It was the only way to have him in both of your lives. He promised the marriage was a business arrangement, and that he would leave and bring my baby back to us as soon as he could. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
He wasn’t supposed to have more children with her.
I believed him until I couldn’t take the heartbreak any longer. ”
Axel got to his feet, suddenly unable to sit still. I recognized the response. “No, but the asshole sure liked to play house with us. He had two fucking families at one time.” He was seething again, and I couldn’t blame him.
“Please,” she begged through tears. “Please forgive me.” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
One look at Mason and I knew he wanted to comfort her, but I wasn’t sure he could.
His knee bounced as he tried to make sense of all of this.
Axel was actively pacing the room, running his hands through his hair just like his brother did.
Reaching out, I put my hand on Mason’s back.
Leaning in, I whispered, “You doing okay, sweetheart?”
He huffed, not even reacting to his favorite term of endearment. “I fucking hate him, Thomas. He was a goddamn player and ruined both of our lives for a buck.”
I gripped his shoulder. “Keep in mind you haven’t heard his side of the story yet. Maybe there’s more than we know.”
Mason looked at me with anger and pain in his eyes. “Right now, I don’t give a fuck to ever lay eyes on him again.”
“I understand. But you might want to consider forgiving your mother. It sounds as if she was collateral damage.”
He turned back to Shannon and studied her.
Standing, he went to sit on the table directly in front of her.
Reaching out, he spoke softly. “Mama,” he whispered.
Shannon turned to him upon hearing him acknowledge her.
“It’s okay. This is not your fault. You made the best decision with the information you had. I forgive you.”
She reached a hand out to touch his face. “I love you, Mason. If I could go back, I would have said no.”
“I know,” he said, pulling her into his arms. He turned to look at Axel.
Holding his right arm out to him, Axel sat next to him and joined their embrace.
They hugged her as Mason spoke softly. “We can’t change the past, and we’re together now, thanks to my big brother. And that’s all I ever wanted.”
The three of them murmured to each other until Perry looked up. He stood and looked at me. “How about something to eat? Anyone hungry?”
I smiled at the kind man. “I could eat. Mason? Axel?”
Mason nodded. “Yeah. That sounds good.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking until Shannon began to tire.
Mason promised to stop by every day until we left to go home.
He gave Perry his contact information and asked him to stay in touch.
“Please let me know if you need anything. I know Axel has handled everything up until now, but I’d like to help if there is anything else. ”
His stepfather smiled and shook his hand.
I stepped away to give them privacy, but could still hear him.
“I know you’re reeling from all of this, but you’re a damn good man, Mason.
You’re like your mother, kind and forgiving.
I’m grateful you came to see her. No matter what your father did, I don’t think he meant to hurt any of you.
Otherwise, he would have left you high and dry.
Should you need someone other than your brother or your fellow, know I’m here for you. ”
Mason reached out and hugged Perry. The older man smiled and hugged him back. “Take care of her, and I’ll see you tomorrow if she’s up for it.”
Perry patted him on the back as he pulled away. “She’ll love it.”
When we left, Axel suggested we hit the pub. “You go with your brother. I have some work to do back at the house.” I needed some time to delve into the story Davis Kennerly told her.
Mason hugged me close. “Are you sure? You can come with us.”
“I know, but I’ve got some things to finish up. And I need to check on the girls.”
Mason looked me over, then nodded. “Okay. I won’t be long.”
“Have fun with your brother. If I need to pick you up, have the bartender call.” I winked at him, making Axel cackle.
Mason groaned and covered his face with one hand.
“I sense a story there, little brother,” Axel teased, draping his arm over his shoulder.
“And you’re not getting it,” Mason added.
I smiled, knowing if he plied Mason with enough whiskey, he’d get all the stories he wanted.
“Bring him back in one piece,” I said to Axel. “I kinda like him the way he is.”
He saluted me as they walked down the sidewalk toward the pub. I went in and checked the time back home. It was after midnight in San Diego, but sending Hudson a text wouldn’t be an issue, even if he got it in the morning.
Me: Just checking in on the girls.
Before I could put it down, the dots started bouncing.
Hudson: They’re doing fine. Erin loves taking care of them.
Smiling I typed back.
Me: Tell her thank you for me. I’ll pay her handsomely when I get back.
Hudson: I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. How are things going there?
Me: Very good. Mission accomplished.
Hudson: Are you enjoying yourself?
Me: Very much so. You’ll be happy to know you can stop trying to set me up on dates.
Hudson: That’s it? You’re going to leave me hanging?
How could I put this so he would understand without me actually saying it?
Me: I don’t kiss and tell, governor. You know that.
Hudson: Enough said.
Me: I’m going to go. I’ve got work to do.
Hudson: How’s Mason? Evan is going to ask. And I’m worried about him.
Me: He’s fine. Met his mother today, and is currently at the pub with his brother.
Hudson: OMG! I’m so happy for him.
Me: Me too. I’m sure he’ll share the story when we get back.
Hudson: You could tell me now. I’m good with confidential information. I have clearance.
Me: Good try. But it’s his story to tell.
Hudson: Fine. Talk soon.
Me: Night, Hud.
Hudson: Night.
I put the phone down on the table and opened my laptop. Logging into the computer, I began my deep dive into the life of Davis Kennerly.