“Know what? Who’s Donovan?” Bailey asks. I open my eyes again and lean into Victor’s side, allowing him to support my weight. No one answers Bailey.
“Did you know Donovan was Liv’s stepfather?” Connor asks Bec. She stares at Connor before finally nodding. He adjusts his baseball cap and begins to pace. I glance up at Victor and exhale.What have I done? I shouldn’t have told her.Bec walks up to him and puts her hands on his chest.
“It wasn’t my place to tell you,” she whispers, but we can all hear her.
Connor stares down at her, and I know he’s trying to decide if he’s mad at her or not. I step forward, but Victor follows right behind me, his body heat hitting my back.
“I haven’t told anyone about him. Ansley knew he was a bad guy, but didn’t know who he was. Victor was the only one who knew because he knew my mom. Bec told me you and Bass saved her from those two guys when you first met. When she told me who their boss was, I had to tell her.” I suck in a breath and lean back. Victor’s hands come up and grasp my biceps gently.
Connor looks from me to Victor, then to Bec. He exhales and pulls Bec into his arms. She slumps against him and I can feelher relief. Victor has said he can be a hothead, so I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a case of that.
“Can someone tell us what’s going on?” Ansley asks.
Victor and I share a look with Connor, Bass, Bec, and Julian. I don’t know Julian that well either, but Victor said he’s going to help in some way. When I glance up at Victor, he arches an eyebrow and I sigh.I really need a break.My emotions are frayed. I’m getting better at handling high intensity situations, but I need moments where I can breathe.
He nods at me and steps forward. “Let’s eat, and we’ll talk about it when we sit down.” Victor makes it sound like a suggestion, but it’s not. He knows I need a break, so he’s giving me one.
Everyone breaks off into small groups, so Victor leads me into the hallway Bec and Bailey came out of until he finds their guest bathroom. He closes the door and lifts me onto the counter. He cups my cheeks and looks at me, searching my eyes, then gives me a soft smile.
“You are doing so well, treasure.” He kisses my forehead. “I’m so proud of you.” Victor kisses my cheek. Closing my eyes, I sink into his embrace and bask in his praise. “I couldn’t have asked for a better sub.” He kisses my other cheek. I’m practically purring. “So fucking perfect.” He kisses my mouth.
I wrap my arms around his neck because I want to deepen the kiss, but he doesn’t allow it to get out of hand and steps back after only a few seconds. Disappointment settles in my stomach like an anchor because I want him to claim me publically. I don’t want to be his sub in private only. I want to be his sub in public. He helps me off the counter and gazes down at me.
“Are you ready to go back out there?” he asks, rubbing his thumb along my cheek.
No.
“Yes,” I reply instead.
He opens the door and we blend back in with everyone. They’re all joking and laughing like we always do when we’re all together. I love this group of people so much.
Chapter fifty
Olivia
Obviously I missed something while Victor and I were in the bathroom because it looks like Julian and Bass made a bet of some kind and Caroline is stealing the money Bass won from Julian. Ansley comes and stands next to me, crossing her arms over her chest and popping her hip out.
“So, Connor and Bec are officially a couple. Bass told Julian they would announce it today, and he won fifty bucks. Caroline stole it for the baby.” She fills me in real quick. I glance at her and she winks at me, glancing at Victor quickly, but doesn’t say anything. I mouththank youto her for not asking questions and continue watching the chaos unfolding in front of me with a smile on my face.
Bass steals the money back from Caroline and holds it above his head. She tries to grab it but gives up quickly, a pained look crossing her face so quickly I’m not sure if I imagined it.
“I give up. I’m about to pop.” She walks over to the couch and plops down, then groans. “I’m never going to be able to get up.”
We all start laughing, and she grins as she settles back, but she grimaces again as she tries to get comfortable. Her hand rubs over her stomach and I look away, knowing I’ll never get to experience that. Victor’s large hand rests on the small of my back like he knows the emotions rolling through me right now.
“Just rest. I’ll make your plate,” Ansley says. When Caroline starts crying, I turn to look at her and can’t help but smile. “Oh, dear lord,” Ansley cries out as everyone starts laughing.
“I’m fine. I’m fine,” Caroline says through her tears.
I shake my head and have to walk away. Though I’m really happy for her, watching her experience all the things I’ll never get to has probably been one of the hardest things for me. I feel so selfish for feeling this way. Victor is right behind me and I don’t know if he’s going to start asking questions or not. As astute as he is, I’m surprised he hasn’t put it together yet.
I know I’m being unjustifiably angry at him for not putting it together, but that’s easier than having to tell him. Victor stands next to me in the hallway, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. He kisses the top of my head.
“How are you doing?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s a relief the truth is finally coming out, but there’s still so much more to tell.” Sighing, I look up at him.
“You’re not alone. And every single one of these people loves you. Even those who have only known you for a short time. How could they not?” He leans down and kisses my nose, then gives me an encouraging smile. I lean my head on his bicep, having the urge to tell him again how much I love him.
