Chapter 42
‘Wait outside until Zara is well enough for this conversation.’ I eye each of the Beckett brothers in turn, coldly.
They’re vibrating with anger.
James’s jaw is clenched so hard he’s liable to need emergency dental treatment. Caelon’s frown lines have aged him by ten years. Killian’s eyes are narrowed to slits. I can’t see his hand tucked in his suit pocket, but I’d bet everything I own it’s wrapped around some sort of pistol.
Where the fuck are Gabriel and Tate?
Sean and Rian Beckett flank their women, who are exchanging “what the fuck” glances and concerned whispers.
Zara’s mother hangs on to her husband’s arm like she’s about to pass out.
‘We’re not leaving you with her,’ Killian growls, stepping closer.
‘I could say the same about you.’ I’ve heard rumours about him. He’s the deadliest of the Becketts. He takes care of their enemies. The ones that conveniently vanish. But he doesn’t intimidate me. I’ve met far worse in my life.
Dr Kensington claps her hands sharply. ‘Everyone out now.’ Her tone leaves zero room for debate. ‘Except for Dad.’ She nods at me. I remain rigid beside Zara. She reaches for me, and I take her hand in mine.
Killian hisses.
‘Dad?’ James thunders. ‘He’s not the dad. He can’t be p>
‘He is,’ Zara says quietly, clutching my hand tighter.
‘How is that even possible?’ Caelon snaps.
‘Do you really want me to walk you through it?’ I offer.
‘I said out.’ Dr Kensington yells, and points at the door.
The Becketts eye each other.
Zara’s father steps forward. ‘Everyone back to our place so we can discuss things rationally.’ He turns to me with a grim expression. ‘You too. Bring Zara as soon as she’s finished here p>
Zara stares at her family, confusion misting her eyes. ‘Why are you even here p>
‘Didn’t you see the family WhatsApp?’ Her mother rushes towards her. Stroking her hair like she’s a sick child, not a fully grown capable woman in her own right.
‘No, I switched my phone off when I came in here p>
‘Rian asked the whole family to meet us here.’ Mrs Beckett turns to face Rian.
Rian eyes me stonily. ‘Rebekka and I are expecting. I wanted you all to see the baby on the scan.’ He pulls his fiancée against him, and a small smile lifts her lips, despite the situation.
Mrs Beckett’s hands fly to her mouth. ‘Congratulations!’ she shrieks, rushing towards Rebekka and flinging her arms around her.
‘Congratulations, Baby Beckett!’ Killian’s woman yells. ‘When is the baby due p>
Rian winces. ‘Twenty-third of December p>
‘But that’s the same date as our wedding.’ She turns to Killian.
‘For the last time,’ Dr Kensington yells. ‘Everybody out p>
An hour later, we’re back in the SUV with Tate and Gabriel, who had been conveniently detained by the Beckett’s security. They were massively outnumbered. It won’t happen again. Dr Kensington checked Zara over, then sat with us while she drank some sweet tea.
Rian and Rebekka went to the waiting room while the rest of the Becketts left.
‘So,’ I turn to Zara. She’s sitting beside me, pale but otherwise fine. ‘Looks like the cat is out of the bag p>
‘Yep.’ Our eyes lock. Hers are fraught with worry.
‘It’s better that they know.’ I take her hand and bring it to my lips, brushing a kiss over the back of it.
‘Is it?’ She shakes her head. ‘Did you see the look of disgust on my brothers’ faces p>
‘They’ll get over it. In time.’ I rub a hand over my scalp. ‘Maybe p>
I’d rather get this over with. Find out the lay of the land. And at least with Zara’s mother present, I’m pretty certain Killer Killian isn’t going to take me out—not today anyway.
Zara strokes the bump through her blouse but says nothing. She simply stares out of the window, watching the world whizz by in a blur.
Finally, Tate indicates off the main road onto a small winding byroad. Enormous wrought iron electric gates slide open as we approach. They’re clearly waiting for us. We took a detour to get Zara something to eat and to pick up more security. I glance over my shoulder to check the second SUV is still behind us.
‘It’ll be okay.’ I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, and she sighs.
The mansion comes into view as we crunch up the gravel driveway. ‘Is this where you grew up p>
‘Yes,’ the ghost of a smile touches her lips. ‘It’s magnificent, isn’t it?’ She sweeps a hand towards the left, where the property overlooks a thick woodland, then a private beach in the distance. There are stables to the right of the property, and what I’m assuming must be staff quarters.
I don’t answer, busy clocking every tiny detail.
We slow to a stop outside the front entrance. Several wide steps lead up to thick dark double doors, which open as soon as Zara gets out of the car. I hop out my side and round the vehicle. Tate and Gabriel flank us, followed by four other highly trained security staff.
Killian Beckett stands in the doorway with a grim expression on his face. ‘Good of you to join us.’ Sarcasm drips from his tone.
‘Zara needed to eat.’ I place a hand on the base of her spine as she mounts the steps.
‘Get your fucking hands off my sister,’ he snarls.
‘Killian,’ Zara snaps. ‘Cole and I are together. Get fucking used to it. We’ve all seen you pawing at Avery. Why should it be any different for my boyfriend to touch me p>
‘Boyfriend?’ Killian bites. His expression is positively murderous.
‘It’ll be fiancé, soon, if that makes you feel any better.’ I deadpan, stepping into the grand hallway. It’s twenty feet high, yet somehow still manages to feel homely. Family portraits line the wood-panelled walls, and the scent of roast chicken floats from somewhere.
Killian steps in front of us, squaring up to me. ‘Allow me to tell you what happened to the last Cole I knew. He went up against my family too. Sanctioned a hit on my sister-in-law.’ Killian murmurs in a low, dangerous tone. ‘I cut his fingers off, one by one. And his toes. He screamed like a little fucking bitch when I removed his tiny excuse of a cock. Of course, that high pitched wailing finally stopped when I rammed it in his mouth, then buried him alive.’ He dusts an invisible piece of lint from his immaculate black suit.
‘Killian,’ Zara’s tone is weighted with warning.
Vivienne, Zara’s mother, emerges from a door to the left. She’s dressed in pastel slacks and a white chiffon blouse. While Zara shares her father’s dark colouring, like her brothers, her features are a carbon copy of the immaculately put-together woman in front of me. ‘Zara.’ Relief taints her tone. ‘Come in, please, let’s talk in the drawing room p>
Killian fires a filthy look to where my hand is still on his sister. He should have seen where it was last night. Asshole.
Vivienne Beckett eyes me from head to toe as we enter the drawing room. There are three tawny coloured Italian leather couches arranged around a large, low, glass-topped coffee table. Huge sash windows overlook the grounds and the sea on the horizon. The Becketts—all of them—are scattered around the room.
James, Caelon and Sean are congregated by the sideboard clutching whiskey glasses. Alexander Beckett is engrossed in a deep conversation with Rian, which I gather is about fatherhood given the way he claps him on the back. The Beckett women are clustered around Rebekka, poring over her scan picture, chatting in high-pitched aminated voices.
The entire room falls silent as we enter. Every head twists to take us in.
‘Zara.’ Rebekka rushes over to her, hugging her tightly.
Alexander Beckett eyes me coolly as he strides across the room. I take in his dark hair, peppered with grey, and the huge scar running the length of his cheek. His dark eyes glint as they flick between Zara and me. I bet he was a dangerous fucker back in his day.
And I knocked up his daughter.
‘Dad.’ Zara steps in front of me protectively. Cute—but entirely unnecessary. ‘This is Cole Hartmann, my boyfriend p>
I extend my hand. He looks at it for a long beat, then his black eyes flick up to mine. Finally, his fingers grip mine, tight enough to pinch, but I don’t flinch. ‘If you hurt my daughter, I’ll make this lot—’ he nods towards his sons—‘look fucking tame p>
‘Understood.’ I nod. ‘I’d do the same if anyone hurt my daughter p>
‘You’re having a girl?’ Vivienne Beckett squeals, rushing towards Zara and throwing her arms around her.
‘We are,’ Zara’s lips lift into a small grin.
A woman wearing a crisp white apron enters the room carrying a tray. An assortment of sweet delicacies and a pot of tea. I note there’s only one teacup. She places the tray on the coffee table and scurries out like she can sense the atmosphere.
‘Whiskey.’ Alexander eyes me levelly.
‘Please.’ I nod. Every eye in the room fixates on me. Finally, Sean moves towards a drinks cabinet adjacent to the large ornate fireplace. He picks up a crystal tumbler and pours a generous measure from a whiskey decanter. Becketts own brand, I bet.
At least I’ll have finally tried it if Killian does decide to put me in the ground today.
Though if he does, he’s going with me. He’s not the only one who’s armed.
I’d hate to have to kill my future brother-in-law, but make no mistake, I will—if it comes to it.
Sean strides across the room to hand the whiskey to me. I accept it, gratefully. I have a feeling I’m going to need more before we get out of here.
Vivienne turns to me then. ‘I’m Vivienne, it’s lovely to meet you.’ She smiles, and her sons glare at her.
‘You’ve been sleeping with the enemy.’ James prowls slowly towards us, but his focus is on his sister. ‘And working for him, by all accounts p>
‘He’s not my enemy.’ Zara juts her chin out defiantly. ‘Besides, wasn’t Scarlett yours once p>
‘That was wildly different,’ James snaps, fire dancing in his irises. ‘Scarlett might have been raised by Jack O’Connor, but she was the one who sacrificed her own life to put him behind bars p>
The air crackles with animosity.
‘Apart from the fact he’s bulldozing in on all of our businesses, he’s too old for you,’ Caelon shakes his head in disgust.
‘Remind me again…’ Zara points her finger at Caelon’s wife.’ What’s the age difference between you and Ivy p>
Caelon glowers. ‘Twelve years p>
‘Exactly. The same as Scarlett and James. And the same as Cole and me p>
‘Oh, let them sit down, will you?’ Vivienne ushers Zara and me to one of the couches and proceeds to pour tea for Zara.
I drop into the couch beside her. ‘Look, I’m sorry, this isn’t how we planned on telling you.’ I lift a hand in a gesture of surrender, but that’s all it is—a gesture. I won’t back down if they try to pressure her to end things with me. I’ll kill and die before I let anything or anyone come between me and my new family.
‘Start talking,’ Alexander demands.