Novels by Talia Steele

"You're pregnant," he repeated slowly."Yes.""And you didn't think to mention it?"Selene's hands twisted together in her lap. "You just got divorced. Your father doesn't like me. I didn't want to... I didn't want to use my joy to make things harder for you."Her voice broke slightly."I thought if I told you, it would feel like I was trapping you, and I didn't want that."Maxwell's jaw worked as his eyes went dark and unreadable.Selene turned toward him fully now, tears streaming down her face."I'm sorry," she whispered. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I just... I didn't know what to do."Linda reached over, squeezing her daughter's hand, as Daniel looked appropriately somber.Andrew was still grinning.Molly watched it all play out, in a calm and assessing manner, before she spoke. "Well."Everyone looked at her."I suppose congratulations are in order."The words landed carefully, not warm or cold, but just in a factual acceptable way.Maxwell's head turned toward h

Linda's mouth tightened. "Hey! Don’t get offensive about it. You'll tell him when the time is right.""When is that exactly?" Selene's voice rose slightly. "When Molly asks him directly? When Victor starts asking questions?""You'll figure it out."Selene sat back hard against her chair, her jaw clenched. "You just tanked the one plan that was actually working."Linda's eyes sharpened. "I escalated it, there's a difference.""No. You panicked, and you’re leaving me to fix it the mess, as usual.""I made a strategic move, you should be grateful."Selene laughed, bitter and sharp. "Strategic? Mom, if this blows up…""It won't.""You don't know that."Linda leaned forward now, her voice quiet but firm. "I know that Molly is already thinking about it. I know that the other women are already talking, and I know that once a story like that starts circulating, it doesn't matter if it's true, all that matters is if people believe it."Selene stared at her. "And what happens when Maxwell find

The shift was immediate."Oh my God…""That's wonderful.""How far along?"But another voice cut in, sharper. "Wait. Didn't Maxwell just get divorced?"All eyes shifted to Molly."And now there's already a baby?""Three years of marriage and no children..." one of them murmured.Another leaned in. "Maybe that was the problem."A soft hum of agreement went round the group."Some men want legacy.""And if they don't get it...""They move on."Linda didn't interrupt or correct any of the murmurs, she just let it settle. Her hands were still tight on the club, then she smiled modestly. "It's still early."Her eyes returned to Molly. "As a mother, I'm sure you understand why I'd want things handled properly."Molly's gaze sharpened, there it was, her motive.Linda continued, her voice careful now. "I'm not here to create problems. I'm here to avoid them.” She sighed as she continued. “All I want is for both families to be on the same page." She swallowed again. "For the sake of the child."

It has been two weeks.Two weeks of nothing.Maxwell refreshed his email again and it still came up empty. The first report from HR said a business trip.His constant checking and the empty feeling the ‘no new mail’ gave him almost made him smash his phone against the wall.There was no urgent business trip in her work schedule, he kept close tabs on her work schedule. If truly it was a trip then it was an exit mask for her grief, meaning all that had happened in the lawyer's office had clearly hit harder than she let on.Still, nothing; no calls, no messages and no sightings elsewhere. All her meetings had been moved to virtual.And the part that was eating at him?She had no solid reason to be away with Durrell, meaning she chose to disappear where Maxwell couldn't see her, couldn't track her, couldn't...Maxwell shoved his chair back, stood and walked to the window.Durrell.The name sat in his chest like something rotting.He was too damn close, too quiet and too fucking involved

It has been two weeks.Two weeks of nothing.Maxwell refreshed his email again and it still came up empty. The first report from HR said a business trip.His constant checking and the empty feeling the ‘no new mail’ gave him almost made him smash his phone against the wall.There was no urgent business trip in her work schedule, he kept close tabs on her work schedule. If truly it was a trip then it was an exit mask for her grief, meaning all that had happened in the lawyer's office had clearly hit harder than she let on.Still, nothing; no calls, no messages and no sightings elsewhere. All her meetings had been moved to virtual.And the part that was eating at him?She had no solid reason to be away with Durrell, meaning she chose to disappear where Maxwell couldn't see her, couldn't track her, couldn't...Maxwell shoved his chair back, stood and walked to the window.Durrell.The name sat in his chest like something rotting.He was too damn close, too quiet and too fucking involved

Ariana’s mind tried to process the words - revoked, removed and cut out completely.Her father had been many things - harsh, demanding, but never irrational - this did not sound like him.Her voice came out quieter than she expected, “When was this amendment signed?”The lawyer adjusted the page and replied, “Two weeks before Mr. Chase’s passing.”Ariana frowned at his responce, her father had been hospitalized then.Durrell leaned slightly forward and continued, “Who witnessed the amendment?”The lawyer hesitated, but Juliana spoke before he could answer.“My husband was perfectly capable of making decisions before his death.”Her voice was calm, and controlled with a tone of finality.Ariana turned toward her, and Juliana met her gaze evenly.“You made choices, Ariana. Those choices have consequences.”Under the table, Durrell’s hand shifted slightly as he felt something pressed against the inside of his jacket.He reached into the pocket absently and his fingers touched a small obj