The CEO's Surprise Family by Teresa Carpenter Page B

envelope, set it in front of him. He’d look at the reports when he was alone.
    Clay didn’t leave him dangling. “And congratulations, Daddy.”
    Jethro narrowed his eyes in a glare.
    Clay just grinned. “It had to be said. This is a big deal. And if you have your way, it’ll never happen again.”
    â€œIt’s for the best.”
    â€œIs it?”
    A brief knock sounded at the door and then it opened and Jackson Hawke and Ryan Green walked in.
    â€œYou don’t look dead,” Jackson remarked as he settled into the second visitor’s chair.
    â€œNo, but he’s definitely pale. Pasty actually.” Ryan perched on the edge of the credenza in front of the window. “He could be dying.”
    â€œHa-ha.” Jethro rolled his shoulders. “I’m fine.”
    â€œHe’s not fine.”
    Jethro glared at the security executive. “I am fine. I just have something to deal with.”
    He hadn’t meant to tell them all, a foolish assumption. They were almost as bad as a pack of women when it came to ferreting out information about each other. And he’d need Ryan’s help with the contract and adoption. No need to keep Jackson in the dark when everyone else knew.
    Bottom line, he struggled with the secret he already had; no way was he harnessing himself with another one. He fought the urge to pace. The tension in his shoulders was so tight he feared the smallest move might break a bone. His friends looked at him expectantly, their silence a deafening demand. He cleared his throat. Almost wishing Clay would blurt it out saving Jethro from having to say the words.
    As if reading his thoughts Clay lifted one brown brow in question.
    Jethro shook him off with a minute shake of his head.
    â€œIt turns out.” Another clearing of his throat. “I have a daughter.”
    With the words spoken something miraculous happened. Tension drained out of his shoulders and air flowed freely into his lungs. He hadn’t even noticed the shallow breaths he’d been taking. Sharing eased some of his pent-up nerves. Not all by any means, but at least he could think again.
    â€œA daughter.” Jackson raked a hand through his hair. “No wonder you’re freaking.” Sympathy shone out of green eyes. He alone knew Jethro’s secret.
    Still, freaking was a bit strong.
    â€œDoes this mean we get to call you Daddy?” Ryan grinned.
    Jethro’s heart accelerated and tension racketed back into his shoulders. Okay, freaking summed it up nicely.
    â€œI won’t be raising her,” he announced and filled them in on the details. “She’s better off with someone who loves her,” he finished.
    â€œThat’s a tough decision.” All amusement had vanished from Ryan’s strong features. “I’m not sure I could walk away.”
    â€œYou all know how rotten I am at relationships. I wouldn’t begin to know how to raise a little girl. I’m doing what’s best for her.”
    â€œYou’re not alone, dude,” Ryan reminded him. “Four men and a baby. We could make it work.”
    â€œDon’t forget Grace and Sierra.” Jackson tossed his fiancée and assistant into the mix. “They say it takes a village. Well, we are a village.”
    A lump formed in Jethro’s throat. The unhesitating support amazed and humbled him. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. It made him stop, made him think. But...
    â€œThank you, my brothers. Seriously, I love you for offering.” The words were rusty yet heartfelt. “But it wouldn’t be fair to shake up your lives because of an unexpected development in mine. Not when there’s an acceptable alternative.”
    He had nothing of value to offer an innocent child. He was damaged, with no idea how to manage a lasting relationship. Not even his mother had wanted him. She’d tossed him away like yesterday’s