Page 110 of The Maverick
Something was wrong with Miranda. She reached into her purse, pulled out her phone, and showed me a picture of a five-year-old child. “This is Brandon. He’s Attikus’s son.”
He had Attikus’s dark hair, but I didn’t believe her. What was she trying to do after all these years? Was she trying to make me angry? If so, this was an outrageous way to do it.
“Do you have proof that the kid is his?”
“A paternity test result was sent to Attikus’s email. I need him to reply. If he doesn’t, my lawyer will reach out to him.”
Attikus didn’t need an extra problem on his plate.
I stared at her, trying my best to stay calm. “Why are you doing this now?”
“Because Brandon needs to know who his father is. Attikus needs to take care of his son and the mother of his child.”
“So you want money because you’re incompetent?”
“Don’t talk to me like that, bitch.”
I was familiar with this Miranda. “Are you on drugs?”
“No,” she said too quickly.
“Attikus isn’t here. He’s away on business. I don’t know when he’ll return.” I picked up my phone. “Do you mind if I take a snapshot of your son?”
“Sure. Isn’t he handsome? Just like his father. I already sent Attikus a copy. He hasn’t replied to my texts.”
She held up the phone, and I took a picture of him. I didn’t want to give her my phone number. She also showed me a videoof her son playing at the park. He was going down the slide as she commented on the phone.
When Miranda stalked out of the gallery, I collapsed on the chair, unsure of what to think. Had Attikus fathered a child and not known it? That could be a possibility. He would’ve told me if he had a son, right?
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
ATTIKUS
As soon asmy meetings concluded in California, I headed to New York City to meet withRemi and Orion. We had scheduled a meeting with a group of popular gamers with a wide following to discuss their help in promoting WaterFyre Rising.
When everything was set, I left Remi and Orion to complete the negotiations so I could attend another meeting.
I was dead tiredby the time I returned to my hotel room after dinner. Vanessa had sent me a text saying she missed me earlier, but I hadn’t had time to reply to her. I had back-to-back conferencesbecause I’d squeezed a week’s worth of meetings into a few days so I could return to my love. Just two more days, and I would be home.
I’d never experienced a stronger desire to be home. My other half was waiting for me. What was Vanessa doing now? Was she missing me the way I was missing her?
After a quick shower, I called her, “What’s my Lily Pad doing?”
“In bed, thinking about you.”
I smiled as my cock hardened in my boxers. This woman could affect me from miles away.
“How was your day?” I asked.
She told me she sold three paintings and was in the process of hiring two associates. But she feared her income could drop. Selling art didn’t offer a stable income. Some days, she didn’t sell any art.
“Continue with the hiring process,” I told her. “I’ll help with whatever you need.”
“I can’t do that, Attikus. This is my business. And you’re the landlord.”
That comment hurt. “I’m more than a landlord, Vanessa. I’m your boyfriend who loves you, but I’m also your husband. So I can help. Besides, I want to invest in you. If you need more associates to run the gallery,hire them. I want you to succeed, and I’ll ensure you have the capital to do so.”
“Why do you care so much?”
