Page 50 of Claiming Becca

Connor pulls me close and brushes his lips against my cheek. “Looks like we need to up our game.”

I turn in his arms and wrap mine around his neck. “I work at a gym, too. The new gym has much nicer showers.”

He kisses me. “I’ll be there tomorrow,” he promises. I laugh and pull out of his arms. Stepping into the kitchen, I grab a paper plate and load my plate.

Liv steps up next to me, Victor right behind her. She grabs a plate, but Victor takes it from her, his fingers brushing hers lightly. Liv’s cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.

“I’ll hold the plates; you can fill them,” he tells her. She gives him a small smile and begins loading their plates.

Everyone else grabs their food, too, and we gather around the table. When we’re almost done eating, Connor turns to Victor.

“So, what are we going to do about Donovan?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CONNOR

“BEFORE WEget into what we’re going to do about Donovan, can someone please tell me who Donovan is?” Bailey asks, glancing at everyone around the table. Liv offers a flash of a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Victor leans over and whispers something in her ear. She nods once and sucks in a breath. What kind of relationship do they have? Is he like a father figure to her? Or are they in a relationship? He has to be at least 20 years older than her. Julian leans back in his chair, putting his arm on the back of Bailey’s chair and runs his fingers through her hair. He’s 14 years older than her, and they work.

“Donovan is my stepfather,” Liv says, grimacing. “He killed my mother.” My head draws back as I take in this piece of information. Becca sits forward and places her hand on Liv’s forearm. There are various reactions from everyone around the table. That wasn’t what I expected from Liv’s mouth, and I don’t think anyone else was, either.

“Oh, my god. Liv, I’m so sorry,” Ansley cries out. Liv starts thrumming her fingers on the table. She looks at Victor and shakes her head slightly, blinking rapidly. He takes her hand in his and rubs his thumb up her palm.

He looks at me. “I know you think Donovan was my best friend, but he wasn’t. Olivia also believed he was my best friend, which means I played my role well. I was best friends with Olivia’s real dad. When he died, I checked in on Olivia and Margaret, Olivia’s mother, as often as possible.”

Victor pauses and takes a sip from his drink before continuing. Everyone is transfixed by his story, ready to see what else he says. Becca leans back in her chair, so I grab her hand and hold it, pulling her close.

“Margaret started dating Donovan, and she seemed truly happy. I was beginning to build my business, and I met someone myself. So, I stepped back, thinking Donovan would take on the role I had been playing. I knew he wouldn’t replace Olivia’s father, but I thought he would treat her and Margaret well.”

The hand not holding Liv’s clenches into a fist, and his jaw tightens. Liv is staring down at the table, not meeting anyone’s gaze. Ansley and Lincoln lean forward, listening intently, Ansley grasping Lincoln’s hand tightly. Caroline starts crying softly, her face showing complete devastation. Bass wraps his arm around her, pulling her into his side.

“I couldn’t have been more wrong. I got married and checked in every month or so, then Margaret died in a car accident. My ex-wife and I were going through a rough patch when it happened. So, I started spending more time with Donovan and would check on Olivia. Everything he showed me was an act.”

My heart is beating wildly in my chest as he tells us this story. Becca scoots closer, so I lean back in my chair and pull her onto my lap. There are things he’s not saying. I can tell from Liv’s blank expression. It’s almost like she’s disassociating herself from the story.

“Look, you don’t have to tell us anymore,” I interrupt him. Victor’s head snaps in my direction. I glance at Liv, and his eyes land on her face. I see the obvious affection he has for Liv in his gaze.

Liv seems to shake herself as she locks eyes with Becca. “I know what Donovan was doing around town. He didn’t hide it from me,” Liv explains. “I overheard him one night. He had plans for someone in town that was causing him problems.” Becca’s hand comes to her mouth, and Bass runs his hand through his hair. He and I share a look.

“Who?” Lincoln asks, leaning forward.

I raise my hand. “That would be me.” Lincoln leans back, pulling Ansley with him as she leans into him. He stares at the opposite wall, his eyes darting back and forth like he’s trying to connect pieces.

“I’ve lived in this town my whole life. How did I not know this was going on?” he asks.

“You lived in the rich neighborhood,” Liv tells him. “A lot of the people in that neighborhood were accomplices of Donovan, or willingly ignorant. But I think you were away at college during the worst part of Donovan’s reign.”

Ansley and Lincoln share a look. “Do you think our parents knew?” Ansley asks, her face pale.

Lincoln scoffs. “I honestly wouldn’t put it past them.”

Victor leans forward. “Why do you say that?”

Lincoln looks at Ansley, and she gestures for him to go ahead. “Ans and I grew up next to each other. My dad and her dad were lawyers. My dad was determined for me to be a lawyer, but I refused. He treated me terribly my whole childhood, and there was no way I was taking over the practice.” Lincoln takes a deep breath, and Ansley puts her hand over his.

“Dylan, Ansley’s brother, was also being groomed to be a lawyer, too. He probably would have gone through with it, but they all went on a retreat. On their way home from the airport, they got into a car accident and died on impact.”

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