Sensual Games (Novak Springs #3) by Dawn Brower Page A

witness now. She can’t back out.”
    Tori laughed. “As if I would.”
    “Now that the happy occasion is out of the way.” Emma gestured toward the engagement ring, her lips tilted into a big grin. “I’m happy for you both, and we should plan a big celebration.” Emma bit her lip. “But if you don’t mind, Tori, we were coming to find you to discuss another matter.”
    “What?” she asked.
    “Did you know that Missy and Melody were sisters?” Emma asked.
    “Missy and Melody?” She had a perplexed look on her face. “Claybourn?”
    “Yes,” Wes said.
    She stopped and tilted her head. “They are sisters?”
    “You didn’t know?” Emma asked.
    “I did know that Missy’s last name was Claybourn. I never knew Melody’s.”
    “I guess that explains why you never mentioned it to me,” Emma said.
    This was all so baffling. How could they have had all the information, but never put two and two together? Each one of them knew something, and yet they never sat down to discuss it. The communication levels in her family were abysmal. They needed to start talking to each other more. Communication went a long way in alleviating potential problems.
    “Do you think Missy claiming Colt was her baby’s daddy was because of Melody?” Tori asked.
    Emma shrugged her shoulders. “It’s possible, but honestly I don’t know. I didn’t know Missy and Melody were related until a couple of days ago.”
    “Hmm, it is certainly a possibility and it warrants further investigation. Lucky for you I know someone with high-level clearance that can investigate both of them thoroughly.”
    “Eric?” Wes asked.
    “Yeah. He’s been hanging around Viv’s a lot getting to know Gabe.” Tori shook her head. Her lips quirked upward, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “They are entertaining to watch. Eric has no clue what to do with a small child. Viv and Eric though—their relationship is a complete mess. I thought Wes and I were bad.”
    “Who’s Eric?” Emma asked.
    “My best friend,” Wes replied. “You met him before, remember?”
    “Oh yeah, I forgot. He helped you two when that criminal kidnapped Tori and her sister.”
    Tori’s twin sister, Vivian, had been the one to date Wes’s best friend, Eric.
    Eric faked his own death and ran off to work with the CIA. His reasoning was if he was gone, the crime boss out to see him dead would leave Vivian alone. Eric sacrificed their love to ensure her survival. Stupid man—you never get over a love that consumes you heart and soul. Vivian got by, functioned, and survived. She’d been left with little choice. Soon after Eric’s supposed death she’d found out she was pregnant with their son, Gabe. Last Emma had heard Vivian still hadn’t forgiven Eric for his mistake. Emma understood all too well how hard it was to forgive a man for unnecessary heartbreak.
    Wes nodded. “Yeah, he also happens to work for the CIA.” Wes looked at Tori. “Do you really think he’ll investigate for us?”
    “He owes us, so yeah.” Tori grinned, evilly. “If I can’t convince him, Viv will. He’s been jumping through hoops trying to win her back.”
    “And he should. He may have had a good reason for disappearing, but he left her alone and pregnant with his child. He has a lot to atone for,” Wes agreed.
    “She’ll forgive him—in time. Viv wants her son to know his father.” Tori hugged Wes. “Plus she loves him fiercely. I know what that’s like. She’s not ready to give in to it again. It’s a scary prospect.”
    “Okay. So you talk to Vivian and Eric. Let me know when you have some answers.” Emma grinned. “You know where I live.”
    “Hardee har-har.” Tori laughed. “I think I can track you down.”
    Emma was still staying in Tori’s guest bedroom. She hadn’t found time to go apartment hunting. With that little mystery solved, she could let it rest until she had more answers. “Okay, let’s go find Ginnifer and Dallas. I think dinner should be ready