‘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 outnow.’ 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.’
‘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.’
Zara stares at her family, confusion misting her eyes. ‘Why are you even here?’
‘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.’
‘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?’
Rian winces. ‘Twenty-third of December.’
‘But that’s the same date as our wedding.’ She turns to Killian.
‘For the last time,’ Dr Kensington yells. ‘Everybody out.’
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.’
‘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?’
‘They’ll get over it. In time.’ I rub a hand over my scalp. ‘Maybe.’
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.
