Bad Boy Secrets by Seraphina Donavan, Wicked Muse Page B

place the first night I went over there and it got ugly.  I threw her out.  So she knew we were seeing each other and she also has a habit of holding a grudge.”
                  “So, I’ll go talk to her.”
                  “There’s more.”
                  Jackson paused, and then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.  “Go on.  I have a feeling we’re getting to the good stuff.”
                  “Rowena made a statement to me that Parker Remington was Cass’ father.”
                  A low whistle was the only response for a long moment, then Jackson said, “Rowena’s been claiming a dozen different men were Cass’ father over the years.  She’d thrown so many names around, even she doesn’t know anymore for certain.”
                  “She does actually.  I’m breaking confidentiality by telling you this, but there is documentation in Mrs. Remington’s file here that it’s true.  She’d made Cass her sole beneficiary and heir.  There are also letters from Parker to her, stating that he knew Rowena was carrying his child.”
                  “So you’re having an affair with the daughter of the man who killed your father...  apparently a pretty steamy one.  And if you don’t pony up, then Rowena goes public with all of it... not just the sex, but the fucked up geneaology as well.”
                  “Correct.”
                  “And Cass knows nothing about this because she, Evie and Margaret are out looking at wedding dresses right now instead of beating the crap out of you for keeping secrets.”
                  “Exactly.”
                  Jackson sat back in his chair and looked pensive for a moment.  “The relationship is public.  I can’t imagine you all are freaky enough for it to be truly shocking.  So that just leaves the identity of Cass’ father to deal with.”
                  “The pictures might be a little more shocking than you realize.”
                  “I really want to see them, but I know better than to ask... Is this something that could effect your career?”
                  “Definitely... but I don’t care about that.  Things with Cass are--complicated, I guess.  If this does damage my career, she’ll blame herself for it and then there won’t be a chance in hell of making it work.”
                  It wasn’t until he’d said it out loud that Reed realized he’d been thinking of thinks with Cass as permanent, or at least heading in that direction.  He didn’t want a fling with her or even some long term relationship.  With Cass, he wanted forever. 
                  Jackson began to laugh.  “Yeah, I can see the wheels turning.  Finally figuring it out, aren’t you?”
                  “I have to go see Rowena, Jackson.  I need someone there I can trust, because that bitch will spin this thing however she can.”
                  “I owe you my life, man,” Jackson said. 
                  It made Reed uncomfortable.  Gratitude always had.  “Well, in this instance payback really is a bitch.”
                  They left the office and headed for the Gresham Motor Lodge where Rowena had apparently holed up since coming to town.  To say that it was shady was an understatement.  It didn’t even rank no-tell motel anymore.  It was like a three dimensional advertisement for things antibiotics couldn’t kill.  Peeling paint, a parking lot that was more pot hole than pavement, and a sign that advertised both hourly and weekly rates made it glaringly apparent just what sort of establishment it was. 
                  Jackson went inside to speak to the manager, and more than likely bribe him for Rowena’s room number and a key.  It was only minutes later that he came