Page 27 of Thick as Thieves
“Always prepared, Tim.” He then moves to Marcus and says, “Love you, Dad,” and kisses him. He then moves to me and says, “Love you, Papa,” kissing me just as Evie comes back in with Sorley, Betty in tow with Lochi.
Evie goes pale and looks sharply at James.
Betty looks sour as Marcus comes for Evie.
“All sorted, Kitten. You can put your claws away.” He laughs, kissing the boy she holds then her, and takes Lochi from the nanny. “I feared the crop more than the suing,” he says to her.
“You liar. You love the crop,” she tells him.
“Bring it tonight,” he coaxes her as if no one else is in the room.
“Don’t, Kitten,” I warn her. “He’ll not be able to sing. He can’t concentrate on two things at once.” We’re all laughing at him, as he looks put out.
“Fuck off, the lot of you. I want sex before our show.”
Betty has gone bright red and is staring at Evie.
“Well, you’ll have to wait, because these come first.” She hands me Sorley. “Go sort yourselves out,” she grins at everyone.
“I’m always last on the list,” he grumbles at her. But I can see the smile in his eyes. He fucking loves it—the family, the banter. As do I.
“Well you are certainly behind these two at the minute.”
She moves off into the bedroom to collect the twins’ night gear, leaving the nanny standing in the living area with Marcus and myself.
Betty inches closer to Marcus. “You should be first on the list, Kellen,” she says to him coyly, smirking at me.
Oh dear, Betty is treading a thin line. I raise my brows to Marcus.
“What did you say?” asks Marcus, his tone conversational.
“I said you should be first as you are the most important person here,” she repeats, trying to be demure. She’s failing.
“My name’s Marcus, and no, the most important person in your life is Evie, and the children, all four of them.” His tone has gone from conversational to ice cold.
She’s obviously feeling brave as she goes on, “I thought you were known as Kellen. I hear Evie and Xander call it you, and Marshall at home.” She’s obviously desperate, and she's definitely not bothering to read the room.
“Yes, to them I am, but not to you. I’m Marcus, so don’t forget it,” he deadpans at her. His tone is absolutely cold. His eyes like green chips of ice.
Her eyes widen as she realises her mistake. She’s never seen this Marcus before. She’s only ever seen Kellen as he’s always around Evie. She’s never met Marcus Russell rockstar arsehole. I can see she’s shocked at the change in him.
“I’m sorry. Of course. I didn’t realise it was a family thing.” Stammering out her apology, her face is red with embarrassment.
“Well now you do so….” He hands her Lochi. “Tim, a word on the balcony.”
He moves to talk to Tim, who has just come back into the room, and I’m left with Betty and the kids. She looks me up and down. “What should I call you?” she asks sarcastically, her lip curled in disdain. Her bravado is returning as she tries to regain her lost ground.
“Xander’s fine,” I say as I step into her personal space. My face is a mask and I can see her eyes widen in shock. She’s shocked by the change from friendly bantering Xander to this. “If you do anything to upset Evie or our kids, he’ll look like a fucking picnic.”
I nod towards the balcony. “And,” I pause for full effect, my voice is vicious, “you’ll be gone quicker than your mate Debs. Just so we’re clear.”
She steps back. She’s only ever seen Evie versions of us, the real us when we’re at home. She needs a reality check, less painful for her in the long run.
13
Xander
Argentina
