Page 155 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Sure.” She muttered. “Why don’t you focus on your actual grandchildren?” She added.

“Or our children.” Cynthia said placing her hand on her stomach.

“You’re pregnant?” Kelsey gasped.

Cynthia nodded. “It was a surprise. It wasn’t planned but with all the drama of the last week….” She smiled.

Maddie glanced at Alfred who was smiling but she could see the hint of something in his eyes. He didn’t look as elated. He looked irritated under the false veneer. Clearly this was why he didn’t want a divorce. A single woman didn’t get much of a pay-out but alimony… he could be halving his entire net worth if the judge ruled against him.

The waiter chose that moment to start serving their food and Maddie realised that that was probably why Cynthia had been so picky about her cheese.

Kelsey literally licked her lips as the waiter placed her sea bass in front of her and Maddie had to admit the steak she and Cole had ordered looked incredible.

“So Cynthia, tell me about you, what do you do?” Maddie asked feeling like she was sick of having the third degree and wanted to turn the tables a little.

“I grew up in Switzerland, I used to help my father, he managed the family money but then I met Alfred at an investor relations meeting.” She said.

“That was seven years ago.” Alfred said.

“And you’ve never had children until now?” Maddie asked smirking.

“Alfred was reluctant, after what happened with his previous wives I can see why but we will have a happy family, just the three of us.”

“Do you know what the sex is?” Kelsey asked and Maddie wondered if she’d deliberately ignored the comment about the three of them or just not heard it.

“Not until twenty weeks.” Cynthia said.

Maddie chose to take the moment to eat and Cole smirked at her as he tucked in too.

“Maddie, if you marry Cole does that mean you become an actual Lady?” Kelsey asked and Maddie half choked on her steak.

“Yes.” Cole said. “She would be the Honourable Lady Black.”

“Fuck me.” Maddie gasped and Cole laughed.

Alfred gave them both a deliberate look and Maddie wondered if this was part of where his end game was, that he wanted her married to Cole, linking to his bloodline to Cole’s peerage.

When the meal was done Maddie got up carefully, hoping on one foot as she grabbed her crutches. It turned out top end restaurants did not like to cater to the physically infirm.

“We should do this again.” Kelsey said hugging Maddie and then hugging Cole.

“Yes we should.” Alfred said narrowing his eyes slightly. “Perhaps next time we can get both families together, what do you say Cole?”

Cole met his look head on. “I think that could be an idea.”

Maddie looked between them. Cole looked like he was half about to punch the man and if anything it made her mouth water.

He glanced at her and frowned slightly like he could tell she was getting turned on.

“It was lovely to meet you Cole and you too Maddison.” Cynthia said giving them both a kiss on the cheek.

Maddie smiled in what she hoped was a friendly manner and as they left she heard Cole muttering under his breath.

“He’s a fucking piece of work isn’t he?”

She let out a low laugh. “Welcome to the family Cole.”

He stopped turning to face her. “He was goading you, trying to get a reaction.”

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