Page 75 of Thick as Thieves
I pause and let that sink in. “Really? Well I can’t say I’m sorry. You know I never liked her, but I know you did, so I am sorry for that.” I try to keep my voice moderate.
“Pfff, I’m not fucking sorry after the stunt she pulled with your husband. She can fuck right off.”
I still, my body goes on alert. “Stunt?” I ask him.
“Yeah. Did Kellen not tell you? At his birthday party, when he came back to find Gabe.”
“He mentioned something,” I say, giving him just enough to think I know a hell of a lot more than I actually do.
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry I hit him, but what was I supposed to think when she had her tongue down his throat and his dick in her hands,” he complains. But not at me or Kell, one hundred percent aimed at Isobel.
I just stop the gasp getting out. I don’t want to tip him off that I don’t know any of it. “Oh, God, yes. A shock, I know,” I say as generically as possible, patting myself on the back for not freaking out and somehow managing to maintain the subterfuge.
“Well, I hit him, of course. And then Issy said he asked her to have sex with her and me, completely floored me.” Jude clearly has no idea I didn’t know.
“Christ, that seems a bit…” I say to encourage him without giving it away I have no clue about any of it. I think I’m a masochist, plugging on for information I know may hurt me.
“Yeah, Kellen was totally pissed at her and called her a few choice names. I guess I should have known it was not just him at fault. But she’s been dripping poison in my ear for months. About them, you, my brothers…” He takes a breath. “Anyway, I’m free of her now, but I also think she’s the one stirring shit about you. Some of the stuff in the papers here is stuff she would know and maybe no one else outside of the family.” I can hear the annoyance in his voice, and the hurt.
“She would absolutely do that—use you to get information and then use it against you,” I say. “I know Rowena has been on the phone a lot, so that’s probably being fueled via her friend Chrissy, who is Isobel’s mother. The Greystone name will totally be mud now.” I laugh sarcastically. “Rowena even gave an interview to someone to say the twins were not her grandsons. I know Kell spoke harshly to her about it, but it sounds like she is back on that train again.”
I stop and look at my phone as it starts vibrating. Tommy is texting me.
“Just a sec, Brown. Tommy’s texting me. I need to tell him where I am.”
Tommy
You okay Kiddo
Damn. I’ve obviously been missed. He’s telling me he’s worried.
Me
All good, Tommy. Just having a minute on phone to brother
Me
Has it been noticed
Tommy
It’s always noticed
They’re looking for me.
Me
I’m in the loo marked out of order. Can u come in 5 mins
Tommy
Ok
“I’m back now,” I tell Jude. “As long as you’re feeling better. I’ll be back home soon. Come down to Devon. Marshall is back on the twenty-fourth. I think I may be back a bit before. I can see you in London and we can take the kids down together.”
“I have missed them.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “James sent me pics. Are you getting hassled?”
“A bit, but it’s not so bad. Jackson’s buddy is taking care of us. But it’s the things they shout about who’s the dad, and all the insinuations blah blah blah.”
