Page 59 of Punish Me

“You know who you look like?” I tell him.

He laughs and nods. “That Cuban actor, William Levy, fromResident Evil: The Final Chapter?”

All three of them have that same look but they’re at varying ages. I happen to know that Dominic is three years older than Ambrose, and Austin is six years younger than Ambrose.

“How did you know?” I ask.

“He gets that all the time,” Austin, the youngest brother, says.

I recall that their father is French and Cuban, and their mother is Italian.

“Now that you have formally met and you both know Brayden. This is Shayla, Brayden’s fiancée and the mother of his daughter.”

Ambrose looks at her, smiles, and wishes her congratulations, as well as Brayden.

Our siblings sit around the table and start talking as Ambrose and I move to the counter and sink to begin preparing the meal.

He invited everyone to his place today so that we could all get to know one another better and celebrate our engagement in a small, intimate setting. Neither of our parents could make it, nor could my sister, Makenzi, and her family, but they will be here for Christmas, which we’re all looking forward to.

Ambrose is as close to his brothers as I am to my siblings. We see a bright future with both families intermingled, and today’s dinner is just the beginning.

We’re preparing pork chops with apples and bacon, tomato bisque, and pumpkin coffee cake for dessert. The kitchen is fullof laughter and chatter as Ambrose and I work in harmony and our siblings regal each other with stories of our childhood growing up.

We’re halfway through the meal when we hear running in the hallway. I glance at him, and he lifts his eyebrows and shrugs.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” he says.

Just as he’s preparing to get up from the table, Cee-Cee comes bounding into the dining room with a broad smile on her face.

“Uncle Dom!” she squeals, and the eldest brother stands from his chair, wraps his arms around the pre-teen, lifts, and spins her around.

I smile as he showers her face with kisses.

“Thought I was your favorite uncle,” Austin says, poking his lips out and crossing his arms.

Cee-Cee turns and giggles at him as she pulls herself from his arms and turns to hug Austin. She smiles broadly at me and waves. Moving away from him, she rushes to Shayla and Brayden and hugs them before running to Ambrose.

“Hey, sweetie. Where’s your mom?” he asks, kissing the top of her head and squeezing her.

“Her mother is right here,” Lyndsey says brashly, stepping into the dining room. “Wow, isn’t this cute and cozy?”

Her gaze lands on me, but I don’t say anything. I try not to tense up, and I try to keep my cool. It’s not my place to check this bitch, and I especially won’t do it with Cee-Cee right here.

“Can I have a word with you for a second?” Ambrose asks, releasing his daughter, who comes to me.

“I didn’t know you were here,” she says excitedly to me.

“Yes, your father—”

“You asked her daddy?” Cee-Cee squeals when she sees my hand.

She grabs it and lifts it up in excitement.

“Couldn’t wait until the ink was dry, could you?” Lyndsey asks, glaring at me.

Her face is pale, her eyes are narrowed, and her lips are pinched in anger.

“Lyndsey,” Ambrose says in a dark, warning tone.

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