Yahrah John - Red Carpet Redemption

But perhaps the even bigger question was…how would this affect his career?

Three

F allon, it’s Dane. I really need to see you. I’m flying into Austin tomorrow. In the throes of a full-blown panic attack, he’d called her in the wee hours.

Now, as Dane boarded the private jet he’d anonymously booked to fly him to his hometown that morning, he thought back on recent events. He knew the voice mail he’d left for his older sister was cryptic, but he needed to talk to someone who knew him. Who understood him. Who would listen without judging. Iris was right. He needed his family. Fallon had always been his sounding board, so here he was, on his way to Austin.

The flight was smooth. After renting a nondescript SUV, Dane drove through the city toward Fallon and his brother-in-law Gage Campbell’s home, which wasn’t far from Stewart Manor. No matter what, he couldn’t keep his mind from spinning.

Deep in his gut, Dane knew he should tell Iris the likelihood that they shared a son, but quite honestly, he was afraid of her reaction. What if she refused to let him see Jayden? She might think he’d set all this in motion as a way to get closer to his son when that was far from the truth. He’d had no idea of Jayden’s existence until a two weeks ago, but that might not stop her from thinking the worst. He was already a scoundrel for the feelings he had for her.

When she’d called him last night, they’d shared such an easy rapport. Dane hadn’t been able to talk to someone like he was just a normal guy in ages. Maybe it was the novelty factor. Iris wasn’t the kind of woman he usually dealt with. She wasn’t trying to flatter him or cozy up to him because she wanted a role in his next film. She just wanted to talk to him and it made Dane feel like everyone else, which had been sorely lacking in his world. Was that her appeal?

When he arrived at the Campbell residence, he punched in the security code and the black wrought-iron gates opened. There was a long driveway leading up to a château-style mansion with a well-manicured lawn and tall topiaries. Immediately upon exiting the vehicle, the front door opened and his sister came running out and into his arms.

“It’s so good to see you, Dane,” Fallon said softly.

He was in his usual casual attire of faded jeans, T-shirt and worn leather jacket. The jacket had seen better days, but it was the one item of clothing he’d bought with what he’d earned from his first paid acting gig and he’d kept it ever since. “You too, sis.” He squeezed her back. Eventually, he pulled away and gave her the once-over.

Fallon was still an absolute stunner in her cape top and slender trousers. She wore her honey-blond hair in its natural curly state rather than straight the way she usually did for her job as CEO of Stewart Technologies.

“You’re looking good, girl. How’s Dylan?”

Fallon beamed, which caused her hazel eyes to sparkle. “He’s doing fantastic. C’mon inside and see for yourself.” She slid her arm through Dane’s and walked him inside.

“I’m surprised you’re home. I would have thought you’d be out conquering the tech world instead of playing happy homemaker.”

Once in the foyer, Fallon came to a halt. “First off, I will never be a homemaker,” she responded. “I have a great staff here to help. Plus, I doubt Gage would let me. He and Dylan demand all my attention.”

Dane laughed. “So married life is going well? I know you and Gage got off to a rocky start.”

His sister hadn’t married Gage for love. It had been a marriage of convenience to help save Stewart Technologies. Dane and their older brother, Ayden, had offered to pitch in monetarily, but Fallon hadn’t accepted. She’d chosen to marry Gage in exchange for his funding instead.

Dane had worried about the union, but he supposed he shouldn’t have. He and Fallon had grown up with Gage while Ayden had lived apart with his mother who raised him. Ever since her teens, Fallon had had a huge crush on Gage and had never really gotten over him. It turned out the feeling had been mutual, so what had started as a temporary arrangement ended up becoming a real marriage.

“That’s all in our rearview,” Fallon replied. “I hope one day you can find what Gage and I have, not to mention Ayden and Maya.”

“How is that older brother of ours?” Dane inquired.

“He’s right here,” Ayden bellowed from several feet away.

Dane spun around and was surprised to see his older brother, casually dressed in jeans and a pullover sweater, holding Dylan. “What are you doing here?” The question came out harsher than he’d intended.

“Well, since you barely ever come home, I had to get in where I can fit in,” Ayden replied, bouncing the eleven-month-old baby in his arms. “I’d like to get to know you better, Dane, but you don’t make that easy.”

Dane shrugged. “I’m sorry. Life’s been…challenging.”

“Care to fill us in?” Fallon asked, folding her arms across her chest.

“Sis, that’s exactly why I’m here.”

A half hour later, Dane had had brought Ayden and Fallon up to speed on the details, including his hard times that had led to his donation to a sperm bank. He confessed his sample had been used once and Jayden Turner was most likely the result. Fallon was so bowled over, she called the nanny to come get Dylan so they could discuss the matter in private without interruption.

“Wow!” Ayden scrubbed his jaw and leaned back in his chair. “Are you certain he’s yours?”

Dane nodded. “When I registered to become a bone marrow donor, I took some tests. When the results came in, Dr. Lee was surprised Jayden and I shared genetic markers. She asked me to come in privately to talk about it. Initially, when she suggested I could be Jayden’s father, I thought she’d lost her mind, but upon reflection I recalled the sperm donation. So it makes sense that Dr. Lee’s hypothesis is true.”

“Have you taken a DNA test? Are you ready to be a father and all that it implies?”

“Hell no!” he said, jumping to his feet. “I’m not ready for any of it. But I’ll know more soon after the additional blood test results come through.”

“The press is going to have a field day with this.” Ayden had just spoken Dane’s worst thoughts aloud.

“I know. I can handle them ripping me to shreds. I’m used to it. But Jayden and Iris? They don’t deserve what’s in store. Jason and I have been figuring out a way to protect them.”

“You told your agent before you told us?”

Dane heard the censure in Fallon’s question. “I did. And I’m sorry, but I’m here now. Don’t I get credit for that? Do you have any idea of the media storm that’s about to rain down on me?”

Fallon stood and walked over to him, grabbing his hand. “I do. And you know Ayden—” she glanced at their big brother “—and I will be here for you. We can’t wait to meet Jayden and his mother.”

“Iris.”

“You’re on a first-name basis with her?” Ayden inquired.

“Yeah, we’ve talked a couple of times and I met her when I registered to become a donor. She is an amazing woman. Beautiful, strong and a dedicated mother.”

Ayden’s brow rose. “Is that right?”

Dane hated that his brother could tell he wasn’t being completely forthright. “What’s it to you?”

“Nothing, Dane.” Ayden shrugged. “But I suspect there’s more to you and Iris than you’re telling us.”

Fallon’s gaze clashed with Dane’s. “Are you two involved? Because if you are, it will only compound the problem. Being attached to you carries a huge spotlight.”

“Well, thanks a lot, Fallon. And for your information, we are not involved,” he responded.