Page 119 of Ruthless God

He’s wearing black slacks and a black t-shirt. This is the most laid back I’ve seen him, except for how he looked on the beach. Damn my body and these pregnancy hormones, becausenot only does he look good, but he smells good, too. I lean in, sniffing. Like leather and?—

“Is there a reason you’re sniffing me?”

My cheeks flame, and I’m glad the lights are off.

I push past him and say, “You wish.”

I had meant to grab ingredients to make a sandwich, but there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere near him. Even if it means starving. He is totally unaware of my dilemma as he crosses the kitchen, grabbing a box of cereal.

“Lucky Charms? Really?”

“A guilty pleasure.” He pauses. “Would you like some?”

“Claudius Irons. Are you being nice to me?”

He should be nice to me after the way he ditched me after our picnic!

“I guess I am.”

“Yeah, I’d love some.”

He reaches into the cabinet for two bowls. I watch silently as he pours cereal into each bowl before sliding one my way.

“What are you doing up?”

I debate what to tell him, pour milk over my cereal.

Finally I say, “Couldn’t sleep. What about you?”

“Just a lot on my mind. I’m glad you’re in here, actually. There’s something I need to tell you.”

My pulse races. Does he know Gabriel was here?

“Someone tried to attack your father again. I’m going to have him and his family brought here while he recovers. That’s why I had to leave earlier.”

Now my pulse is racing for a different reason.

“Does he know I’m here?”

“He does.”

“You said before that he’s married. Will his wife be with him?”

Claudius has the decency to look away for a moment. “She will be with him, as will their two children.”

“Children? I have siblings?”

“Two sisters. Alyssa and Bonnie. Alyssa is older. Bonnie is the same age as you, just a few months younger.”

I stare at Claudius, my mind racing as his words settle in. Two sisters. A father who has never acknowledged me. A family I didn’t know existed. My throat feels tight, my stomach twisting in ways that have nothing to do with the pregnancy.

“Alyssa and Bonnie.” I repeat their names, trying to make them real.

Trying to picture them. But all I can see is the glaring gap between us. The years they got that I didn’t. The love, the recognition, the name, the family.

I swallow hard. “So, he was fucking my mother while his wife was pregnant.”

I don’t say it like a question. Because I already know the answer.

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