Page 85 of Beautifully Reckless

The whole meal gives off serious Mediterranean vibes. Not that I’m an expert, but maybe it’s a hint at his heritage.

We sit around a large, round table to eat. It’s nothing like the Western where you ate off your lap, or squeezed in beside someone at a flimsy trestle table.

This one has a round glass centrepiece filled with floating flowers and tea candles, and is big enough to seat another four people comfortably.

Even with all that space to spread out, Ringo sits close enough that his knee brushes mine under the table, and I enjoy the constant contact.

It’s grounding and calming but does nothing to douse the building ache I’ve had since the moment we laid eyes on each other again.

Despite his nearness, Ringo stays pretty quiet during dinner. His sisters do most of the talking, mostly to JD, and while they glance my way a lot, they don’t pull me into the conversation.

I don’t particularly mind, too scared they’ll pepper me with questions.

I’m guessing Ringo told them to back off, but that doesn’t explainhissilence.

Is he uncomfortable with me here?

Maybe I should’ve eaten upstairs so he could have dinner with his family without me hanging around.

“I’m sorry. I need to know,” Millie says suddenly, her eyes snapping to mine. “If Ringo isn’t the dad, then who is? Because if you think you’re going to trap him into raising some other man’s—”

“That’s enough!” Ringo booms, launching up from his seat and slamming his palms onto the table. “I asked you for one thing, Millie! One. And you couldn’t even give me that!”

I can’t breathe.

“You can do the dishes tonight, Millie,” his mum snaps and for a brief moment, I can breathe again, but Millie’s not done.

She shoves her chair back, stands, and slaps her own hands down on the table.

“After what Kylie did, do you really think I’m just going to sit here and watch some pink-haired stripper wannabe wreck you too? It nearly killed you, Cam!”

This time, I nearly choke from the invisible boulder in my throat, but no one seems to notice.

“This isnotthe same situation, Mills. Just drop it!” he yells, but she shakes her head.

Finally air rushes back into my lungs, Ringo’s unwavering support for me, reminding me that someone cares.

“No. I won’t drop it.” Millie jabs a finger in her brother’s direction. “Because you’re about to take her and her unborn kid as your own, and then what? What happens when the baby daddy shows up? Hey?”

“I hope your brother kills him.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and three sets of shocked eyes snap to me, while JD just nods in agreement. It takes a beat before Ringo finally looks down, realising it was me that said the words.

“Oh sure. So he can go to prison for you, and you run off with his money, or take all of this as your own.”

Shoving my chair back, I stand, my eyes remaining locked on Millie since she’s the only one in the room brave enough to challenge her brother.

“Firstly, I’d never do that. I know you don’t believe me, since I’m a stranger. But perhaps you should have a little more faith in your brother, and respect the choices he makes for his life.”

Ringo reaches for my hand, but I step away, shaking my head. I can feel his piercing stare in my peripheral, but I refuse to look at him right now. Not when Millie is the one that needs my attention.

“To answer your question, and I hope it satisfies your concerns, although, I’m sure it will raise many more questions, none of which are any of your business,” I take a beat and clear my throat, mentally preparing myself to admit my truth out loud, yet again. “This baby’s sperm donor is a rapist.Oneof my rapists. I don’t know which one impregnated me, but it doesn’t matter. There were six of them. But none of them are, or will ever be, this baby’s father.”

The silence that fills the room is almost deafening.

With a trembling hand, I lift my half eaten plate of food and finally tear my gaze from Millie’s paled expression. My emotions are waging a war inside me, and I’ll be stuffed if I let the salty tear demon win this time.

“Your brother saved me,”I say, my voice thick again. “He’s been protecting me, and despite what happens next, I’ll always be so grateful that he kidnapped me from my parents, who were hell-bent on forcing me to marry one of the bastards who raped me.”

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