Thick as Thieves (The Greystone Family: Stolen Hearts #3)

Chapter 21

21

Kellen

I must be deranged. I’ve just left the loves of my life in a room together, walked out on a pivotal night in our lives together. All I can think about is them, and yet here I am, trudging my way to speak to a man who I know loves me, and I love him, just not in the way he wants.

But Gabe has worried me for weeks. I could see how emotional he was when Evie came on tour. He was going through women like water. He’d even called Texas and Tiff to come out. Texas had agreed, but as yet hasn’t turned up.

He and Levi had at least five women to play with tonight, and I knew it wouldn’t be enough for him. But it can no longer be with me. We need to sort things out.

I walk back into the tent, the stage and booths still have people in them and on them. I’m not surprised to see that the man on the stage is Gabe. He likes a show.

He looks at me when I stride back in and grins at me. I think I see hope in his face even as he’s smacking the girl in front of him on the arse, slamming into her harder and harder. She’s groaning out in pleasure. All the people around me are fucking at the pace being set on the stage.

I just stand there, feeling not even a flicker of regret. Or anything actually, my cock staying well and truly down. The only time it moves is when I imagine what Xan might be doing to Evie. Then it definitely wakes up.

I turn away from the stage and walk to the back wall of the tent, blending into the shadows, and wait. He’ll come over when he’s done. I know it won’t be long.

As suspected, in practically no time at all, he stands in front of me, no shirt, just his jeans. An amazing looking guy, but his normally happy-go-lucky face is a total mask. I can see the fury behind it.

“Why him? Why did you not tell me what has been going on? For years, apparently, but you never said. You said you weren’t interested in men.”

“Because I’m not interested in men.”

“Fuck off, Marcus. You’re fucking Xander, what is he?” His arms are flailing around.

“I’m not interested in men in general, just Xander. If it wasn’t Xander, there would be no other men. Besides, we have never ‘been together.’ We fuck now and then, that’s it.”

“You expect me to believe that bullshit? We’ve ‘been together’ as a band for years and I’ve never seen you fuck him. Even when you both had women together, you never touched each other.”

“Watching were you?” He is fucking pissing me off. Who the fuck does he think he is, ragging on me.

“Yes I was watching, you selfish prick.” Gabe is starting to lose his cool.

“Gabe, I told you no. I always told you no. In fucking university, I was very clear. I told you, time and time again, what I do with anyone else is up to me.” I’m trying to hang onto my temper. I know he’s more upset than angry, really.

“I fucking know. I heard you. But you could have said. I wanted you, and you know it.”

He’s laying it all out there, but I shake my head sadly at him. We’re going around in circles.

“Gabe, I love you as a brother and bandmate, but nothing else. I’m sorry, but?—”

He steps forwards and kisses me, grabbing my head.

“Why him?” he gasps out when I push him back, his pupils fully dilated, he’s so turned on.

“Because it’s Xander. That’s as good an explanation as I can give. It just is, Gabe.” I’m exasperated with him, wiping my hand across my mouth. I don’t want to hurt him anymore than he already is.

“What am I supposed to do now? Watch the happy trio on tour?” he snarls at me.

Things become very clear for me as I watch his reaction. As I think about what life looks like going forward. “I want them on tour with me. I want my kids on tour with me. I would want your partners or kids on tour with us, anyone who belongs to us. But if you’re saying you can’t do it, then we won’t go on tour.”

He laughs at me. “You’d fuck me and Levi off? Break up the band for them both?” His face is a picture of disbelief.

I nod emphatically. “I would. They’re part of me. I want them with me, end of story.” As I say it, I know with every fibre of my being that it’s true. If he can’t get that, then tough.

“I always knew you were a selfish cunt, Marcus, but this…” He’s jabbing his finger at my chest and I’ve had it.

I hit back.

“And you’re not? You want me to go against what I want for you? Just so you’re fucking happy? Well you wouldn’t be for long. Because I wouldn’t be. And we both know how that plays out.” I’m prodding him back now. “A fucking disaster. You brought those women, helped them keep me drugged up and in oblivion, fuelling shit so I wouldn’t go to Evie. Don’t think I don’t know how you fucking helped them, because it helped you. Is that what you want? Is that the Marcus you want?” I’m raising my voice at him.

He’s shocked, I can see it in his eyes. “I never fueled anything. If they said I did, they lied. I wouldn’t have done that. I wanted you in LA, yes. I could see you were unhappy. But I didn’t help them. I just went with it. I know it was wrong, I should’ve helped you, but I didn't. I just took what you wanted to give.” He looks ashamed. I can see he’s genuine, so I step towards him.

“I want you in my life, Gabe. We’re brothers. Been through hell and back tofuckingether. I don’t want to split up the band, but I don’t want you hurting every day you see something that reminds you I’m not free.” I’m begging him with my eyes to believe me.

He nods. “I want the band. I want you, Levi, and Xan in my life. It’s the only thing I know and want. I won’t say it’ll be easy, but I’m willing to give it a go.” At least he’s being a bit rational.

I step back and blow out a breath, smiling at him, relief in every inch of my body.

He doesn’t smile. Taking a step back, he draws his fist back and punches me in the face.

I fall backwards, knowing he’s blacked my eye, my nose burst open bleeding.

“You should have fucking told me years ago. That’s for keeping it from me,” he growls at me, his face unsmiling, sad, but his eyes are full of pain and disappointment as he walks away.

I grin at his back, then watch as he looks over his shoulder and grins at me, the fucker.

Levi looks over, laughing. He comes across and throws a shirt at me. “I told you to wait til tomorrow. You just can’t, can you?” He’s shaking his head at me.

“He’s alright, clearly, so I’m off back to my wife,” I state with the biggest grin on my face.

“And your husband,” he laughs at me. “You fuckwits. We got your back, though. All of you. Are we still a band?”

“Yep. If you both want us, I’m happy to carry on. I told him so.”

“Good, get going th?—”

“Where’s my sister? You better not be in here without her. You know that shit will not fly again.” Jude comes up from behind me, stepping between me and Levi, getting up close and personal in my face. His voice is a snarl but I can see the panic in his eyes.

“She’s in the house with Xander. I came to see Gabe, not that it’s any of your business, Jude. Fuck off.”

He looks over at Gabe, and then back at my black eye, the bloodied shirt in my hand. “What’s up? You have a lovers tiff? Does Evie know you fuck your bandmates?” He’s goading me now. He knows jack shit.

“She does, actually. Again, not that it's anything to do with you. Go find Isobel, or wait, where is she? She’s usually hanging off you?”

“I’m here,” says Issy, walking up.

I smile at her, with blood still on my lips. “So Isobel, has Jude talked you into a threesome? Well, stay away from Gabe, you won’t survive it. Or Levi. Maybe John Clayton, he’s not so savage.” I smile sarcastically at Jude. “Does she know how often you’re at the club with Jonno? Or are you still pretending to be a good boy?” I’m just trying to piss Jude off now.

“You’d know. You and Xan were there more than me.”

My smile widens. “Never said we weren’t.”

“Does Evie know how much Xan likes to whip you? Or anyone?” He’s back to pissing me off now.

“She fucking knows us better than anyone. You of anyone should know that, Jude.” I stop and look around. “Stage is free, Jude. Why aren’t you up there? You like to perform.”

I honestly have no idea if he does, but I know it’ll annoy the hell out of him. It does, and he punches me in the gut as proof.

“Fucking hell,” I gasp out, my torso collapsing inwards as I’m doubled over in pain. He stands there smirking at me. When I get my breath back, I tell him, “That’ll be the last time you do that, Jude. Next time I’ll be hitting right back. Stop fucking digging at Xan and me. We love your sister, we want her happy. What don’t you get?”

Isobel’s eyes go wide at my statement. Y eah, fuck you as well .

“I invited you both as family. I’ve told you before, Jude, we are not the issue. We want to be a family with you and everyone. It’s time to get behind us, because we’re going nowhere.” My eyes are clear, and burning into him.

He looks at me, and I can see the confusion on his face, but I’m deadly serious.

“Your nephews are my sons, we don’t need to be on different sides here. We weren’t before, but of late I’m sensing a lot of bad vibes.” I stare at him, checking out his face. I can see the conflict running across it. What the fuck is wrong? We’ve done nothing to him.

He nods, then walks away to watch as someone has taken up the stage.

Isobel stays at my side. “Are you alright Marcus? You look terrible.” She’s touching my arms and the lapels on my jacket. Brushing her hands down it. It’s over familiar, and I don’t like it.

I step away from her saying, “Do I? I feel fucking fantastic”

She pulls me away to the very back of the tent, so we can’t be seen.

“Look Marcus, I’m sorry to tell you this, but we’ve been friends for a lot of years, and I know that I’m seeing Jude, but I am loyal to you first.” She looks like she can hardly contain herself. “Well, it’s been talked about in the family, ‘the Greystones’ that is…”—she pauses for effect—“that Xander is seeing Evie. And to be honest, I’ve spoken to someone else who has sort of confirmed it. You need to get rid of them both. They are playing you, Marcus. They’ve been at it for years.” She waits gleefully for the massive fallout.

“Years? As in how long? Because as far as I know, we only met Evie again a year this past December. No one could find her before that, thanks to your boyfriend and his crazy brothers. They made sure of that.” I prick her bubble, but she doesn’t even notice.

“Well, since you got back together. That’s why Xander was so upset the two times I was there when Evie threw us all out. Both times he was more upset than he should have been. And when you were in LA, he was all over her in a nightclub in London. And at your wedding in Vegas. Apparently, he got into her bed, and she never moved him out.”

She’s cataloguing Xander’s crimes against me, and also Evie’s. It’s taking all my energy to stop my eyeballs rolling around in my head.

“Well thanks for the heads up,” I comment cheerily. She hasn’t got the message yet.

“That’s not all, Marcus. Even recently in South America, a girl told a friend of mine—she did social media for a band—that Xander was always hugging and kissing Evie, and not as a friend.” Her eyes are wide and she exaggerates the word ‘friend’.

“Well, whoever they are, they're certainly taking notice. I’ll look into it,” I tell her. “I can’t have that now, can I?” I shake my head in mock consternation.

I see Gabe coming back over, laughing. He’s clocked Isobel. “You joining in, Isobel?” he asks her. “I think Jude’s getting antsy.”

Gabe is pissing himself. I look at Issy who’s looking at me as if I’m her next tasty meal. ‘No fucking way,’ I think.

She shakes her head. “No, Gabe,” she tells him.

“Catch you later then.” He blows us both a kiss, sauntering back to the stage with a serious swagger.

“Stay away from him, Issy. He’s a maniac.” I grin at her. “Unless you fancy a bit of madness.”

“I don’t. I’m with Jude,” she deadpans. How boring she is.

“Is he alright? He seems annoyed with me?” I’m trying to deflect her from staring at me hungrily.

“I think it’s all the things he’s hearing about Evie and Xander. It’s upsetting him. He’s tried to get her to come to London, but she won’t come. He knows I want to sort out things with her too.”

“Why are you bothering, Isobel? You’re here, and you could go to the farm, nothing would be said. Evie won’t bother you, if you don’t bother her." I think I may be wasting my breath.

“I know, but Jude wants us to be friends, so I’ll try.”

What a load of bullshit. The woman is delusional.

“I wouldn’t bother, you’ll never be friends. But she will be civil with you. She never went against you with those other women in the summer. So I’d say leave it at that.” She nods and smiles at me, as if she’s actually listened. I give her a kiss on the cheek. “Go have fun, Issy. That’s a birthday order,” I say, pushing her towards the booth where Jude is sat, a blonde girl giggling at him from her perch on his right.

I turn away, thinking of my wife, and start to stride away towards the entrance. I just get through it at the Loch side, when I hear someone call my name. I turn to see Isobel running to catch up. Tears in her eyes, she throws herself at me.

“What’s up now, Issy?” I hold onto her, looking down into her face and wiping away her tears. “What’s happened?” My calm voice belies my true thoughts. This woman really needs to get a grip.

“J-Jude,” she stutters out. “He—” Then she collapses onto my chest, clutching at me. “He wants, he kissed, he said…” she’s trying to tell me through the tears. “I don’t understand this lifestyle. I want one man, that’s it. It’s not a lot to ask for,” she says, anger bubbling up, her face becoming hard.

“Around here, that’s not the norm. You’ve been around us a lot, Isobel. We’ve been the same since university, even when I was married to Caroline.” I try to rationalise for her.

“Yes, so why aren’t you now then? Are you saying you’re not just with one woman?” She looks up at me, hope shining in her eyes.

Too late, I see the tactics. Fuck. She pulls me to her and kisses me. Fuck. I don’t kiss her back, I just stand there like a piece of wood. She reaches for my cock, probably thinking it will be hard, but not a thing. If anything she’s making me feel ill.

I gently push her down. “Isobel, what are you doing? You know that’s not happening.”

She ignores me and goes for it again.

“What the fuck!”

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 smell Xander 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.”

I shake my head at him, I can’t get any words out.

He smirks at me, spinning me round and smacking my arse. “Let’s go, baby,” he says, laughing at my inability to speak.

I scramble out of my clothes and we walk into the shower. Xander is as high as a kite. Floating around in the ether with love. If it feels this good, surely we can do it all. Surely it's the right thing to do.