Page 66 of My Lord
“Hello, I didn’t realise the time,” I said, taking the coffee. “Sit, have your lunch with me.”
I waited until she did and then asked her if she thought Mackenzie was okay.
“You know, I was going to ask you the same thing. I do know that Addison is planning to visit the UK. I have no idea why, she sent me a text message and I don’t know how she got my number, it’s new.”
“From your family?” I asked.
“I doubt it. My mother dislikes her as much as the rest of us. Although my brother… Mmm, I haven’t given him my number, but he could have easily gotten it, I think.”
She didn’t often mention her brother and it seemed he was a no-go for discussion. I pushed a little, though. “I take it you don’t get on with him?” I took a bite of my salt beef and mustard sandwich.
“No. I can’t stand the man. He and Addison had an affair. The shock though, Alex, isn’t that they just had an affair, but she is my cousin! How redneck is that?”
My mouth stayed open mid-chew and I quickly closed it for fear of losing the bite of sandwich I’d taken. “No way?” I asked.
She nodded and sipped on her coffee. “I’m sure Mackenzie will tell you, it’s not a secret. She came home pregnant while she was married to Mackenzie.”
“And it couldn’t have been his…Mackenzie’s I mean?”
“No, he can’t have children due to a car accident,” she said. Her voice tailed off and I did wonder then if she felt she’d said too much.
“Jesus, that’s tough.” I really did feel for the guy then.
“I can’t imagine creating a dynasty without anyone to leave it to,” she said. “Have you ever wanted children?” she asked.
I paused, not knowing the correct answer. The truth was I had no clue if I wanted children or not—it wasn’t something I’d thought much about—or what she wanted to hear bearing in mind our developing relationship and ages.
“I haven’t really thought about it, is the honest answer,” I said, deciding on the truth. “I’ve never been in a relationship that was strong enough, or that I thought was going to last—”
I was about to say ‘until now’ when Mackenzie walked into the office and interrupted us. Although she blinked a few times, her expression didn’t change.
“Fucking Addison,” he said in an exasperated voice.
“What has she done now?” I asked, distracted from my conversation with Gabriella.
She stood. “I think I’ll leave you two to chat. I have things to do,” she said, gathering up the debris from lunch. She didn’t look at me.
“Wait, I need to tell you something,” I said, trying not to be further distracted by Mackenzie pacing.
“I’m sure it can wait,” she gave me a small smile and then left.
I sighed. “What’s the sigh for?” Mackenzie asked.
“You interrupted the end of my sentence, which means she’s left thinking something that isn’t correct.” He frowned at me but I waved a dismissive hand. “Never mind, I’ll sort it later. What’s happened?” I asked.
“She’s demanding I take her to dinner; says she has important things to talk about.”
“Does she?”
He scoffed. “No, she has nothing to say that I want to talk to her about.”
“Why do you entertain her then?” It seemed to me that if he didn’t want anything to do with her, he should just tell her so.
“Because I get information from her about her father. She’s very loose lipped after a couple of glasses of wine. She wants us to get back together, which will never happen.”
Mackenzie had told me previously that her father had ruined him, and he, in return, was doing the same. It seemed the vendetta had been going on for years and, to me, was completely unnecessary.
“Why are you wasting your time, Mackenzie? What can you possibly gain now? You’re successful, you beat him already. Unless you like the fight, still?” I raised my eyebrows in question.
