Page 56 of Breathtaking

Until then, my family will understand her importance to me.

She takes one slow step toward me, then another until her hand is in mine, and I pull her to me. “I’d like to introduce you to my mother, Amelia Beneventi.”

Caitlin coughs again, and I grin but don’t say anything.

“And I’m his sister, Caitlin.”

Lennon’s hands shake as she moves her hair forward, no doubt trying to hide her battered face, and my blood fucking boils. I’m going to kill him.

“It’s...” Lennon’s chest rises and falls before she seems to pull herself together. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Maddox has been telling me about you both for years.” She looks toward Caitlin and smiles. “Congratulations on the baby.”

My mother stares at me, slack-jawed, before glaring at me. “Well, you have me at a disadvantage. My son likes to be a secretive little shit. But it’s lovely to meet you...” She leaves the sentence hanging, and I realize I haven’t given her Lennon’s name.

I guess it’s got to happen. “Mom, this is Princess Lennon Windsor. My fiancée.”

Caitlin laughs. The little brat literally laughs. “Oh my God. This just keeps getting better...”

Mom looks between the three of us, less than amused. “I’d like to say congratulations, but in typical Beneventi family fashion, there is obviously more to the story than this. Care to fill me in?” She levels me with a glare that would frighten most men. Luckily, I’m not most men. “Now.”

“Maybe I should leave you—” Lennon starts to say.

“Oh, I think you better get comfortable right there, dear. It sounds like you’re about to become part of my family, so you better get used to this—because my children like to act like they were raised by wild animals.” Her focus comes back to me. “Now explain.”

“I asked Lennon to marry me, and she said yes.” I pull out another stool and tug Lennon over to it. But does this woman sit? No. She stands next to me, gripping my hand but not backing down. She’s stronger than she’ll ever realize, but I’ll make sure, one day, she knows it.

“There’s more to it than that,” Lennon offers, and Caitlin snickers.

“You.” Mom’s head spins like she’s possessed inThe Exorcist.

Scariest fucking movie I’ve ever seen.

Seriously. Grow up Catholic, going to mass every Sunday, then watch that shit and tell me it doesn’t scare you. I fucking dare you.

“Are you part of this?” she asks my sister, apparently tired of her snark.

“No, ma’am,” Caitlin answers, and it’s my turn to chuckle.

Fuck. Based on the looks Mom and Lennon just threw my way, I’m going to say that wasn’t the right move either.

“How much more?” Mom asks once she calms down.

“She’s pregnant,” I tell her.

“And kind of engaged,” Lennon adds, and Mom squints like she’s trying to see something that isn’t there.

“To my son?” she questions.

“Yes,” I answer as Lennon says, “Not exactly.”

Mom tilts her head and arches a brow. “Well, which is it?”

“I was promised to a bad man. One I don’t love and who doesn’t love me,” Lennon says softly, and Caitlin inches forward as Mom lays her hand over Lennon’s.

“Is he who hurt you?” she asks her.

Lennon closes her eyes and nods while I fight for control.

My mother looks at me, and I have no doubt this won’t be the last of this conversation. “The baby is yours?” she asks me.

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