Page 57 of Descent

“Babygirl! We brought food! I hope you’re hungry. Vincent made me order double everything because he’s a creep and tracks your cycle. Says you’re about to start your period any day now, and it wouldn’t hurt to have some of your favorites around the house.”

Liam and Vincent walk into the kitchen; Vincent carrying two large bags of groceries while Liam is carrying three bags of what smells like Chinese. My stomach growls in appreciation, but when Liam leans down to kiss me, I know we won’t be eating anytime soon.

Steph pops out of the pantry, cocking her head to the side as she stares at Liam before moving to Vincent and then to me.

“Sky…who are these…boys?”

I lick my lips, not finding the words to describe our situation. Well, best to just rip off the band-aid.

“My boyfriends,” I answer simply.

Steph doesn’t react; her face is frozen as she stares at me, almost waiting for me to elaborate. When I don’t, her eyes swing back and forth between everyone in the room.

“All of them?”

“Technically, I’m her husband, and they are the boyfriends,” Asher adds unhelpfully.

I make that known with the irritated look I shoot him.

“No,” Aunt Steph says.

We all glance at each other before I tilt my head.

“What?”

“No. Break up with them, right now.”

When no one reacts to that, she slams her hand against the island, startling me as she shouts.

“Break up with them, right fucking now! I will not watch you make the same mistakes she did, suffer the same fate. No, no, no! Break up with them!”

“Hey now,” Liam says with raised hands. “Let’s just take a breath. No need to shout.”

She turns on him like a cornered animal, practically gnashing her teeth at him.

“There is every reason to shout! Do you have any idea what the Brethren will do to her if they find out? She’s making a mockery out of a match! Do you know how fast Christopher will have her throat slit! He will send the nearest eliminator and—”

“That would be me,” Vincent answers coolly, taking several steps forward until he is toe to toe with her.

I feel him wedge himself between us, like he’s trying to protect me. He can’t see it, but she’d never hurt me. She’s just terrified for me, and honestly, rightfully so.

“And I can assure you, I’d suffer a thousand deaths before I allow any harm to come to her,” he continues.

Steph’s jaw is tight, as she shakes her head and throws her hands up.

“This cannot be happening! Not again, you can’t ask me to live through this again, Sky. I can’t!” she snaps frantically.

“Live through what? Who are you talking about?” I ask, pausing for a moment as I guess. “Mom?”

She looks away from me roughly, shaking her head as she mutters something to herself that I can’t quite make out. Of course, what better timing would there be for Ronan to make his grand entrance? When his footsteps sound through the house, Steph’s accusing eyes fly to mine before Ronan crests the corner. When she does, her mouth drops.

“Ronan?”

His eyebrows raise in surprise as he looks at her.

“Stephanie, It’s been a while.”

She stares at him before her head turns to me, that look of shock morphing to judgment as she shakes her head. A bitter laugh escapes her, as she tosses her hands out at her sides.

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