Chapter 5

five

LIAM

Two days later, I sat in Alex Quinn's living room in Sunrise Bay. Because of the weather it had taken longer to drive here than usual, but it was important I talk to him. I was trying to piece together a relationship that, until a few days ago, Alex knew nothing about.

Alex had always thought he was an only child. Four weeks ago, while the FBI was investigating the families of the people in his top-secret team, they'd found Paul.

When a terrorist organization started sending death threats to the people on the team, the FBI was asked to make sure no one, including family members, was harmed.

I was here to find more proof that Alex and Paul were brothers. Another team of special agents would arrive soon to provide Alex with additional security.

I opened a folder and handed Alex a photograph of a two-story house. "Have you seen this building before?"

Alex studied the photo. "No. Is it important?"

"It's the house Paul lived in until he went to college."

"What did he study?"

I didn't have to look at my notes. I'd memorized Paul's profile until I knew the details of his life as well as my own. "He went to UCLA and completed his undergraduate degree in comparative literature. Until three years ago, he was a high school teacher in Dallas."

Alex's eyes widened. "A teacher? Have you told him he might be my brother?"

"Not yet. We need more proof that you're related to each other before we approach him." At the moment, the only documents linking the two siblings were a photograph and a letter in Paul's adoption papers.

"So there's still a chance we aren't related?"

There was no doubt in my mind that they were related, but I wasn't prepared to tell Alex until I had a DNA match. Even without the information I'd already found, Alex and Paul looked similar. They had the same oval-shaped face, the same vibrant blue eyes, and a similar shade of dark brown hair.

"There's always a possibility that he's not your brother. What we do know is that Paul's four years younger than you are and the terrorist group is watching him." I pointed to the timeline we'd been working on. "Where was your father around this time?"

Alex leaned forward and focused on the chart. "My father was in prison. Mom had started the divorce process by then."

It was possible that Alex didn't remember his mom being pregnant. But there was a higher probability that his dad had fathered a child with someone else. "Do you have any photos of your mom around this time?"

"I'm not sure. I'll have to look through my photo albums."

"I'd appreciate you looking. If you find your birth certificate or any documents relating to your parents' divorce, they would be useful, too." I checked my watch. "We've been going over your family history for the last hour. I think it's time we had a break."

Alex picked up a photo of Paul. "If we are related, what do you think he'll say when he finds out he has a brother?"

"He'll be as surprised as you were." I closed the folders on the table. "While I'm here, I'll check the ranger's house that Bryant Security found. I want to make sure you'll be safe if something happens."

Alex handed me the photo. "I'll call Jeremy, one of Bryant Security's staff, and ask him to drive you there."

"Don't worry. I'll take my truck. It's only fifteen minutes away." I needed time to think about what Alex had told me, especially if Paul's adoption wasn't as straightforward as I'd imagined.