Page 52 of Release Me
‘I’m so disappointed in Anthony,’ my mother says, shaking her head. My father nods in agreement. ‘You’re a good boy, Rian. That was really kind of you to go over so she wasn’t alone.’
I don’t blush. Ever. But there is a definite uncomfortable heat flooding my cheeks now. Thank fuck for the low lighting in here.
‘So what exactly…’ Ivy begins, but I fire her a warning look.
‘Look, it’s their marriage,’ I cut over her. ‘You all know it was arranged between their families. There’s more at stake than just them.’
‘No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.’ My mother worries at her lower lip.
Is she talking about Rebekka and me at Christmas? Or about Rebekka and Anthony?
‘By all accounts, nothing goes on behind closed doors.’ Avery scoffs.
James and Scarlett reappear with a bottle of Beckett’s Gold whiskey and Beckett’s Black Label champagne.
‘Now, what are we doing for New Year?’ Scarlett beams, utterly oblivious to the seriousness of the conversation before she landed over.
I’m beyond grateful for the change in subject. ‘I’m happy to host you all at one of the clubs.’
My father leans back against the leather banquette, cradling his glass. The jammy fucker is aging like George Clooney. I hope I look half as good when I get to his age.
‘I was praying for a quiet New Year,’ he said with a dry smile.
My mother reaches across to pat his hand, her rings glinting beneath the low lighting. ‘Well, let’s all have a quiet one together. Why don’t we all go down to Silverpine Hallfor a few days? I hear there’s snow forecast in Wicklow—it would be gorgeous to all curl up in front of the fire.’
‘Bagsie the outdoor hot tub,’ Caelon calls.
‘It fits ten,’ James reminds him with a scowl.
‘I’m pretty sure eight of you won’t want to join me and Ivy in there.’ He shoots a salacious look towards his wife. ‘Zara can mind the kids.’
‘Huh! As you know, I have zero maternal instincts.’ Shehelps herself to a glass of champagne. ‘Give me business over babies any day of the week.’
‘How is business?’ Sean asks Zara.
‘Booming, thankfully.’ Zara preens. My brothers weren’t convinced when she announced her subsidiary of Beckett Enterprise was going to focus on interior design, but in fairness to her, she’s pulled in some seriously high end clients along the way, and carved out an exceptional reputation for bringing luxury to life. ‘I’m meeting the captain of the Irish rugby team and his wife next week. They want to discuss a complete internal refurb of their mansion in Clontarf. And I have this Yank hounding me about some casino he wants to build. He wants my team and I to design the interior.’
‘A casino?’ Caelon looks at me. ‘Two of my hotels have casinos here. We don’t need another one in Dublin. It would be bad for business.’
My mother claps her hands. ‘You can all debate this next week. Let’s get back to our plans for a quiet New Year.’
‘It’ll hardly be quiet if we all go,’ my father grumbles, but he’s not fooling any of us. The man loves nothing more than to be surrounded by his offspring and his offspring’s offspring.
Zara throws her hands into the air. ‘Yes, let’s do it! I, for one, could do with a holiday. I’ve been scouring the internet, dreaming of a break. It sounds idyllic. We’ll load up the car with cheese, wine, champagne.’
‘We’ll bring the chefs with us, dear,’ My mother’s eyes widen in alarm. ‘One day of cooking in the year is more than enough for me.’
‘Is everyone invited?’ Layla asks timidly. As the latest to join our family, she’s still finding her feet.
‘You’ll find out soon enough that every Beckett is invited to everything, including the opening of an envelope.’ I roll my eyes.
‘So that’s settled, then?’ My mother glances round the table. ‘We’re all going to Silverpine? Kids and all?’
‘Yes,’ my family chorus.
Whoopee-fucking-do.
Another chance to feel like the last cake left on the baker’s shelf, and having to cover my ears while every single one of my family members has sex under the same roof—apart from me.
