Chapter 7 - THE BROTHER

Daniel drove to Graham's penthouse before anyone could stop him.

Claire and Ortiz followed.

Graham opened the door wearing a white dress shirt and annoyance.

"What is this?"

Daniel shoved the lab report into his chest.

"Tell me why Ryan's DNA matches my brother."

Graham read one line.

Then his face changed.

Not much.

Enough.

Claire saw it.

"So you knew," she said.

Graham stepped back. "You're making assumptions."

Daniel hit him.

One punch.

Graham crashed into a console table.

Ortiz grabbed Daniel before he could swing again.

"Enough!"

Ryan stood in the hallway behind Claire.

He had insisted on coming.

Graham saw him.

For the first time, he looked frightened.

Ryan whispered, "You're the man from Mom's picture."

Graham's eyes snapped toward him.

"What picture?"

Ryan reached into his backpack.

Claire caught his wrist.

"Don't show him anything."

Graham laughed too quickly. "This is insane."

Daniel's voice shook. "Did you sleep with Mara?"

"No."

"Then explain the DNA."

Graham wiped blood from his lip.

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

Graham looked toward the windows.

Then he said, "Because Ryan isn't my son either."

Ortiz frowned.

The lab said full sibling.

Daniel and Graham had only one other full sibling.

A younger brother named Noah.

Noah Bennett had died at age nineteen.

At least that was what the family had been told.

Daniel stared at Graham.

"Noah died in a boating accident."

Graham's silence answered him.

Claire whispered, "How many dead people in your family are actually alive?"

Graham sank onto the couch.

"Our father made Noah disappear."

Daniel's skin went cold.

"Why?"

"Because Noah found out what he'd done to Mara."

Ryan's breathing changed.

Graham looked at him.

"And because Noah was in love with her."

Daniel stepped back as if the floor had shifted.

Graham continued.

"Ryan is Noah's son."

A small sound escaped Ryan.

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Then Graham said the part that broke Daniel's remaining certainty.

"But Conrad told Mara the baby was yours because your name was the only thing that could keep her obedient."