Chapter 28
Roxy
“Are you sure you want to go alone?” Liam asks me for the umpteenth time, flexing and unclenching his fingers around the steering wheel.
He borrowed Corm’s helicopter and insisted on flying me to Boston. He drove me to the restaurant in a rented car.
I let him do all of that, because he needed some sort of control over the situation. And I know something about control.
To his credit, he never told me not to go, even though it’s been obvious how much he hates the idea.
He didn’t try to talk me out of it, and I know it cost him a lot. I almost wish he had tried to stop me.
Then we would have had a fight, and I could feel more stable in my need to keep a distance from him. Something I’m failing at lately.
It’s not only about him being the father of my child. The man is… well, beside the charade he pulled at the beginning of our affair, he is an unexpected exception.
While domineering, he never tries to control me. And that is dangerous. Because that kind of freedom feels too safe. I’ve spent a long time carving my own path, relying only on myself.
Sharing that responsibility feels foreign, but I’m starting to learn that it can still be safe.
“I’m sure, Liam. This will be very challenging even without you there. I’ll call you as soon as I can get out. Hopefully, way before the dessert.” I squeeze his hand.
“For the record, I don’t like it.”
“For the record, I don’t like it either. He used Tee to blackmail me into showing up.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t like. Why is it so important for him to have you there now if he didn’t invite you in the last two years?”
“Just to mess with me. To show me my time is over, and I’m expected to return to the fold and be useful. I can handle myself.”
“I know you can. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be there with you. I don’t trust him.”
The rough edge of his concern catches me off guard. It unravels something inside me. “Get a coffee across the street and look at available properties so we can finally move out of Xander’s place.”
His eyebrows jerk up. “For real?”
I nod and lean across the console to kiss him. “For real. This baby needs a home.” I put his hand on my stomach, his warmth grounding me.
He snakes his other arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer, our lips fusing.
“If you’re there longer than an hour, I’m coming in.”
“Jesus, don’t be ridiculous. It’s my family. They are overbearing, and I’m not keen on spending time with them, but it’s going to be okay.”
He clenches his jaw. “One hour.”
The way he looks at me with worry etched on his forehead… it tightens something in my chest.
“Please, Roxy,” he pleads.
He asks for permission. He gives me a choice. Yet again, chipping at my defenses, redefining my boundaries one small choice at a time.
I sigh. “Okay. I’ll be out in one hour.”
He gives me a quick peck. “Good girl. You better go before I drive away with you,” he growls.
I get out and don’t look back, feeling Liam’s gaze on my back. The temptation to return to the car is strong. But I shed that notion, straightening my spine.
The restaurant is exactly what I expected. Muted lighting. Heavy wood. Linen so crisp, you want to spill wine on it just to test its limits. A place where people who flaunt their riches pretend they have taste.
The hostess leads me toward the private room at the back, her heels clicking like a countdown.
I square my shoulders before the door opens. Victor Lock’s birthday dinner. I’m ten minutes early, but everyone is already in.
My brothers line one side of the table. Nico’s relaxed and smiling, like this is a performance, not a family obligation.
Rowan’s stiff and watchful, and Alex is halfway checked out, scrolling on his phone until Victor clears his throat.
Tee sits beside our father. Too close. Too carefully placed.
She looks older than she should here. Not yet eighteen, and already dressed like someone’s future accessory. Pale blue dress. Bare shoulders. A necklace that screams gifted, not chosen.
My stomach tightens. Victor doesn’t stand when he sees me. It doesn’t surprise me, but somewhere deep in my chest is still a little girl’s heart that hurts from his indifference. I push that useless feeling away.
“You’re late,” he says, not looking up from his wine.
“I wasn’t aware this was a summons,” I reply evenly, taking the empty seat beside Tee.
His gaze flicks up, sharp and assessing, like he’s measuring how much of me is still his.
Nico grins. “Nice to see you, Ro.”
Rowan nods once. Alex finally looks up.
Tee’s smile is small and relieved. She mouths thank you, like my presence is armor, and squeezes my hand under the table as soon as I take my seat.
Victor taps his glass with a spoon. “Now that we’re all here—”
I tune him out, trying to breathe and focus on my only mission here. To provide reprieve for my sister. To stand by her, because I haven’t done in so long.
Dinner progresses like a chess game I didn’t agree to play.
Father dominates the conversation, speaking over Tee when she tries to contribute, dismissing Nico’s joke with a look, asking Rowan about business deals like he’s already chosen his heir.
I watch. I catalog. I endure.
Then Father leans back in his chair, folding his hands over his stomach.
“As some of you know,” he says casually, “we’re in discussions about Tee’s future.”
My fork stills mid-air. My sister’s fingers curl into her napkin.
Father continues, unfazed. “It’s time we secured something… appropriate.”
My chest tightens. “Appropriate how?”
My father’s gaze slides to me, cold and warning. “This isn’t about you.”
“It never is,” I quip.
A beat of silence. Father’s jaw tightens, but he lets it go. For now.
Nico shifts. Rowan stares into his plate. Alex taps his fingers on the table.
My father smiles without warmth. “Tawny will be engaged by the end of the quarter.”
The room tilts.
“To whom?” I ask, already knowing I won’t like the answer.
Before Victor can respond, the door opens.
The shift is immediate. Like the air itself recalibrates. I don’t even have to look to know Liam Stone stepped inside.
What is he doing? It’s been hardly forty minutes. What is he hoping to achieve?
I look up. Dark suit. No tie. That familiar, dangerous calm wrapped tightly around him.
Our eyes meet. He holds my gaze for a brief moment, as if scanning to make sure I’m still in one piece.
After an almost imperceptible nod, his attention turns to the room.
Everyone stares at him.
“Liam,” my father drawls, leaning back in his chair. “This is a surprise. You missed your engagement dinner, and now you show up to my birthday. How did you even know?”
“I’m here,” Liam says, his words cutting through the room like a blade.
Father gestures lazily toward the table. “Well then. Take a seat. Roxy, move.” He gestures so Liam can sit beside Tee.
“I’m fine just here.” Liam takes the chair beside me. He squeezes my thigh, and I almost whimper with relief.
I didn’t want him here. I should be mad he didn’t respect my wishes, but the evening has been taxing enough. And for the first time, I finally acknowledge to myself how much his support means.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.” He leans back and drapes his arm over the backrest of my chair, claiming me silently.
“What are you doing here, Liam?” Father asks, his eyes roaming the room, landing on my brothers like they should have the answer.
I can imagine someone will pay for the lack of security at the door.
Liam reaches for a water carafe and helps himself like a guest of honor instead of an interloper. “I thought it was agreed I’m marrying into the family.”
I snap my head toward him. I’m going to kill him. What is he doing? I fight the urge to drag him out of here.
But Tee was discussed before he barged in, and I need to understand the threat.
Nico snickers, which earns him Father’s glare.
“Is that the reason you didn’t show up for your engagement dinner?” My father picks up a bread roll like his dinner wasn’t just hijacked. The slight tremor in his other hand, gripping the butter knife, is almost imperceptible, but it’s there.
“The bride was missing as well.” Liam snaps a napkin open.
The dance the two of them are playing would be fascinating if I was an outside observer.
I dig my nails into Liam’s thigh, shooting daggers at him with my gaze. Instead of coming to his senses, he squeezes my hand.
I wish I was wearing heels. Stabbing his foot would be extremely satisfying right now.
“Tawny was there,” my father counters.
“Victor,” Liam gives my father a lazy smile. “May I call you Victor? As lovely as Tawny is, I believe she has years before she should marry.”
“That’s not your decision, boy.” My father’s nostrils flare.
“You’re correct.” Liam smirks. “It’s hers.”
The whole room falls silent as all pairs of eyes bore into Liam. Does he have a death wish?
Because if I don’t kill him for whatever game he is playing, my father will for talking to him this way.
I don’t think my father actually kills people, but he considers himself above law or morals, and he certainly won’t tolerate Liam’s opinions.
“What are you doing here, Liam?” The bun crumbles to pieces in my father’s hand.
“I thought your birthday would be a great opportunity to celebrate another joyous occasion. Roxy and I are getting married.” He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles.
I don’t think I ever saw my father shocked or speechless. I can’t enjoy the sight because now I’m staring at Liam.
What the fuck has he just done?
My father clears his throat. “Is that true?”
I turn to him, ready to deny. But I catch Tee’s hopeful gaze, and something inside my chest breaks.
As reckless as Liam’s proposal is… as much as I don’t appreciate him blindsiding me like this… this is a solution for Tee.
I sit up and meet my father’s eyes. “It’s true. Obviously, you will be busy solidifying this union for the benefit of the family, so Tawny’s future can wait.”
I measure my words, so they land clear and pristine like the cold ultimatum they are. I challenged my father plenty before, but never with such conviction.