Page 51 of Thick as Thieves
I hear him before he grabs at me. Isobel starts crying again, and I roll my eyes.
“Jude, you should kno?—”
I don’t get any further. He hits me again. This guy thinks I’m his personal punching bag. I’m not, so I hit him back. We’re trading blows, the fight that’s been in the making since I walked into the room at the Green Dragon. Or maybe from even before that. Maybe twenty years ago, take your pick.
We end up rolling back into the tent where Levi and Gabe break it up. I can’t fucking speak, I’m black and blue, my back is weeping open, as he dug into my welts. The only consolation is that he’s as bad, with a black eye to match mine and cuts and bruises. We look ridiculous. It’s like we’re ten again.
I grin at him, getting my breath back. I’ve my hands on my knees, bent over, but Jude is in the same position. I look directly into his eyes. “I never kissed Issy. I wouldn’t. I love your sister. Issy kissed me, said you asked her to fuck someone.”
“She did last time in France, so?” He shrugs at me, bowing his head as he tries to take in a deeper breath.
“No judgement from me, but I never pursued her.” I stare into his eyes so he can see I’m on the level.
We both stand up tentatively in case any ribs are broken. Everything hurts. Jude puts his hand out for me to shake. A peace offering. I take it, shake it hard, then clasp his elbow. Both of us saying nothing in words but everything in that handshake.
“Why are you saying that, Marcus? You wanted me to have sex with you and Jude,” Isobel is shouting out through her tears.
I look around, amazed. “No fucking chance, Isobel. Why would I do that when I have the loves of my life upstairs? Waiting for me.” She baulks at that.
Levi starts to laugh. “It’s true. Sorry, Jude, but you won’t measure up. Xan is a dab hand with that whip.”
“You stirring bitch,” I snap at Isobel. “Why are you trying to cause trouble? You know that’s not true. Maybe Xan’s been right about you all these years. Stay away from me, stay away from my family. This is your official warning. Don’t come near me again. Jude, I suggest you get her out of here before morning.”
I turn away from her, but I can hear her crying again, crocodile tears I’m sure. I don’t wait for the fallout with Jude, I stride away towards the two people who love me the most in this world.
I’m practically sprinting as I reach the entrance hall. It’s light out, the morning is here. What a waste of a night. I’m running up the stairs two at a time, when I hear my boys bawling their heads off and see the nanny heading towards our old room with the twins. Not looking at all bothered that she’s not supposed to be there until late into the afternoon.
“Oh, Marcus, I’m so sorry, but they’re upset and I can’t settle them. I don’t have any more milk left. I’m going to need Evie to?—”
I hit ballistic. “What the fuck? She has the kids more than you, and we’re paying you. You’re supposed to help her. She gave you enough milk to cover for a week. She worried about it for days.”
I watch her face change from coy to annoyed. She can fuck off. I’m speaking to Evie about getting rid of her.
Pushing the door to Xander’s room open, I see them both in bed, Xan asleep. I smile inwardly, thank god he’s good and relaxed enough to sleep. I see Evie go to get up, but she’s naked and I clock a few small marks on her. I grin again, but shake my head at her, I don’t want this fucking idiot to see her.
But I’m too late. I hear the noise she makes behind me. Evie slides back under the covers, but there’s no hiding Xander. He’s too large, too beautiful. God he looks good.
Evie asks for the kids, no shouting at the nanny, no recriminations, just happy to have her sons with her.
I pass them over and Xander goes to move out of the bed. The gasper behind me gets up a head of steam. I roll my eyes, she’s getting on my nerves. She’s got to run out of breath soon with all the gasping and panting she’s doing. I make some comments about Xan’s back, and then, just to wind this show up, I drop my jacket. I can see Betty is, yes, gasping again. Climbing into bed with my family, I tell the gasping nanny she can go.
I can smellXander on her. God, my mind is spinning. If this can work, how wonderful it will be. I love it.
She feeds our boys and I nip out and collect their cribs so they can sleep off their brunch. My heart stutters a little, my senses on full alert, as Evie starts to head to the shower. Watching her face, I start to worry that she’s getting into her head. It’s a lot, all this, us.
As she moves away and into the bathroom, I look over at the man I have loved my whole life, now in love with. His eyes so fucking blue, but they’re clouding over by the second.
“We need to watch her, Kell. She’ll bolt. And to be honest, I won’t survive it. I don’t know how you survived those eighteen years.” I can hear the wobble in his voice.
“I didn’t. You saw the state of me. You dragged me through every fucking day. Let’s get in the shower with her. I’ll talk to her as well. We just need to keep her with us and cull out the negative. Starting with that nanny, she’s got to go.”
He nods at me, getting up and dropping his boxers.
My mouth goes dry. Fuck, I want them.
“Let’s go,” he commands and walks towards the bathroom, stopping to undo my trousers, touching me.
“Did you think about me fucking her?” he growls, watching my face. I nod, I can hardly speak. “Good, we thought about you. I told her all the things I want to do to you both.” He’s taken my cock out, and is jerking me off. “Don’t fucking leave us for someone else again.”
