The Secret Child & The Cowboy CEO by Janice Maynard Page A

him disbelieving glances. Trent never looked at Bryn at all.
    Mac cleared his plate and finally dropped the “pleasant host” act. He glared at Trent. “Bryn’s talking about going home. And I’m guessing it’s your fault.”
    Trent snorted. “If Bryn wants to go home, she knows where the door is. I’m not stopping her.”
    Bryn’s temper flared. “Charming.” Trent Sinclair was a stubborn, arrogant beast.
    He lifted an eyebrow and gazed at her coldly. “You can’t blame me for wanting to protect my father.”
    Mac bristled. “I’m not feeble, dammit. Do you really think I’d let myself be manipulated by sentimentality?”
    â€œIt’s not you I’m worried about.” Trent scowled. “It’s her.”
    Bryn felt her cheeks flush, especially because Mac watched the two of them with avid attention. In a flash, she was back on the mountaintop with Trent, his hand warm on her breast, his lips devouring hers. She cleared her throat. “I’m no threat to you or your father, Trent. And if you’d quit being an ass, you’d realize that.” Her cutting reply might have been more impressive had her voice been less hoarse.
    But remembering what had almost happened earlier that day made her knees weak with longing. The past and the present had melded for one brief, wonderful moment. But it hadn’t lasted.
    I wanted you so much, I was sick with it. The confession had been ripped from the depths of Trent’ssoul, and the self-disgust in his voice said more than words what he thought of her.
    But fool that she was, despite Trent’s obvious antipathy, she wanted him still. It was only sex. That’s all. Surely she didn’t really crave a relationship with a man who thought so little of her.
    She stood up blindly. “Excuse me. I have phone calls to make.”
    Â 
    Late that evening, Trent sat at the computer in the study, brooding. He could no longer ignore the evidence before him. Jesse had been stealing from the ranch. From Mac.
    The knowledge made nausea churn in Trent’s belly. Why? Mac would have given Jesse anything he wanted. The old man loved his youngest son dearly. There had been no need to steal.
    Cause of death: heroin overdose. The coroner’s report wasn’t fabricated. Jesse had taken drugs at least once. The little brother Trent remembered would never have done such a thing. But Bryn was right…Trent hadn’t been around much in the last few years. Mostly because of a demanding career, but in part because the ranch reminded him too much of Bryn. And the fact that she had slept with his brother, or lied, or both.
    He groaned and shut down the computer. If Bryn was telling the truth about Jesse’s drug habit, then Trent had not known his brother at all. But if Bryn was lying, why did Jesse die of an overdose? Neither option was at all palatable.
    Bryn thought Mac had protected Jesse by coveringfor him. Would Mac do that? Out of guilt perhaps…because Etta Sinclair had left her young son when Jesse was at such a vulnerable age?
    Trent cursed beneath his breath and flung a paper clip across the room, wishing it was something that would shatter into a million pieces. He wanted answers, needed them. Was Mac strong enough for a showdown? Trent would never forgive himself if he caused his father to relapse.
    He got to his feet and went down the hall, treading quietly. His father’s door was open, but the room was dim. Quiet snoring was the only sound. Mac slept like the dead on a good day, and now that he was medicated, he’d probably be out until morning.
    Trent retreated carefully, only to find himself staring at Bryn’s bedroom door. A light shone from underneath. It wasn’t terribly late….

Five
    S he was shocked to see him. It was written all over her face.
    â€œI need to talk to you.” He shut the door behind him and moved into the room.
    Her