Double Betrayal (Surviving Book 3) Page 7

  She nodded, her brown eyes still sad like a lonely teddy bear.

  The front door opened and her face brightened with a beautiful, delighted smile. “Cassie,” she screamed, scrambling out of my lap. I opened the door and she jumped down, racing toward her uncle. He scooped her up and kissed her hair.

  Their hands started flying as they chatted to one another in their own little world. My two best friends in the whole world.

  One month later.

  “Is Daddy coming to my birthday party?” Izzy asked while scooping a huge spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

  “Yes, now don’t fill your mouth so much.”

  “Hold up! What party? Why are we having a party?” Castor signed. They had one of their impromptu ‘sleep overs,’ which entailed him making her too giddy for bedtime and me being a grouch.

  Izzy giggled. “A birthday party.”

  “No, I would remember if it was Emily’s birthday,” he signed and rubbed his head thoughtfully.

  “It’s my birthday,” she laughed, spitting out her cereal. Urgh.

  “No, I don’t believe you.”

  “It is; Mummy, tell him.”

  “Castor, please stop making her spray cornflakes all over the table.”

  “Say it, don’t spray it, little girl.”

  “What does that mean?” she asked. I glared at him because it took me ages to explain his sayings to her, and she wouldn’t let up with a simple explanation. The arse.

  “Time,” I tapped my watch, which was the universal sign in our house that she was running out of time before I made her leave the house. Last week she dawdled so much I made her get in the car with her pyjama bottoms on. The entire way to school she nattered and pleaded with me not to send her into class with her pyjamas on. I made her promise that when I tapped my watch, she had countdown and she needed to be ready and waiting at the door with shoes, coat, and school bag ready to go. So far we were sticking to it. She stuffed a final spoonful of cereal in her mouth and dashed for the stairs to go brush her teeth.

  I pointed to Cas. “You are a pain in my arse, brother.”

  “I’m awesome and you know it.”

  Dick!

  “Can you do me a favour after work?”he asked.

  I shook my head.

  “Come on, I’d do it for you.”

  “What is it?” I asked, turning to put my cup in the sink. I turned back to look at him as he lifted his hands to ‘speak’.

  “I’m working late tonight and I wondered if you’d take this to Phil at the club for me?” He pulled out a USB stick and slid it across the table.

  “I hope to God you’re not making me traffic porn.” I shuddered, pulling a disgusted face.

  He chuckled and shook his head.“With all the free porn on the Internet, I doubt he’d need my help.”

  “TMI.”

  “So will you? It’s the new logos he wanted me to design for the new frontage on the club.”

  I smiled and nodded. Castor was wicked talented with graphic design. We had all tried to get him to go to college and university to qualify for a business degree in graphic design, but he refused. So his day job was working at the garage fixing cars, and of a night he did web designs.

  “Okay, but you do realise you owe me drinks Saturday?”

  “One.”

  “All night,” I said, smiling.

  “Two and that’s my final offer.”

  “Okay, take it yourself then.” I slid the USB across the table. He huffed out a breath. I knew he would concede because his car was still knackered and it would mean messing about on buses and taxis to get to Phil’s place.

  “Fine, good job you’re a lightweight. You’re a cheap date.” He chuckled.

  “I can drink you under the table,” I laughed, walking to the bottom of the stairs. “Isabelle Stark, get your little butt down here now, shoes, coat, bag ready. Now, please. Five, four—” I shouted as loud as I could. Tiny little thuds came across the ceiling as she hurried from the bathroom. Thankfully, she had her hearing aids on.

  Tiny blobs of white were on her school cardigan. I raced into the lounge, grabbed a wet wipe and scrubbed at her lapel. She wriggled about, trying to get her shoes on.

  “Ready,” she beamed at me, proud I hadn’t gotten to number one.

  Work was absolute hell. Johan was in the most diabolical mood. Three times he walked into my office, slapped files on my desk and walked away without a word. The fourth time I stood, warning him I would get Lou to kick his arse if he didn't tell me what was going on. Apparently, he’d had an argument with his brother; he wouldn’t say what about, but he seemed pretty cut up about it. I wouldn’t have minded, but I wasn’t even his assistant. I was Dominic’s, but Johan’s secretary was on sick leave and he wasn’t getting along too well with his temp.

  I hadn’t seen Lou in a couple of weeks. She was coming to Izzy’s birthday party Sunday, so I was looking forward to having a catch up. Lou agreed to have Izzy over Sunday morning so I could get the party prepared. It was sort of a surprise for her; she knew she was having a party, she just didn’t know where or what I had planned.

  I was so knackered I almost forgot about taking Castor’s designs to Phil. I’d gotten all the way home before I realised, so had to trek all the way back through town. Thankfully, it seemed pretty quiet for a Thursday. They generally had a themed night through the week, but it didn’t seem like there was much happening that night. When I approached the door, one of the bouncers smiled appreciatively at me. I smiled back but walked past him as quickly as my legs would carry me. My feet were killing me; I’d decided on heels that day, God knew why. I couldn't wait to get home and slide my feet into my slippers. A few people were inside, scattered in different areas of the club. A few booths were occupied and the bar had people hanging around. A tall, curvy brunette stood between a man’s legs, his hands resting on his knees. I couldn't see his face, only her back. I waved over at the DJ, Sam, I think his name was, but I couldn't be sure.

  “There’s my gorgeous girl,” Phil shouted as I approached the bar. I smiled and slid him his designs.

  “I come bearing gifts.”

  “I’ll say,” he said, looking me up and down in an exaggerated leer. I reached over and slapped his arm.

  “Behave, you pig.”

  “What’s with the sexy librarian look?”

  “I’ve just finished work. And how the hell do I look like a librarian?” I said, looking down at my white fitted blouse and black knee length pencil skirt. “What kind of libraries do you visit?”

  “All in here, babe,” he tapped his temple. “You could be a sexy librarian, secretary, nurse… take your pick, sweetheart, I’m easy.” He shrugged.

  “You’re gross,” I laughed. He winked and turned, holding out his hand, gesturing to the bottles behind him.

  “What’ll be your poison?”

  “Oh, I’m driving, so just a lime and soda. I can’t stay long–”

  “Darling, can you move to the side a bit? You’re blocking my view.”

  My shoulders stiffened at the deep sexy timbre of that particular voice. I fixed my eyes on the coloured bottles behind the bar. Phil busied himself with preparing my drink as he cast a deadly stare along the bar to the giant.

  “Of what?” replied the female’s voice.

  “Her,” he said bluntly. I turned in shock to look straight into his mischievous green eyes. God, he was beautiful, and a total bastard.

  “What?” The brunette looked at me, then back at the giant, who sat with a confident smirk on his face.

  “You were blocking my view of her fine ass.” My mouth gaped open, causing his smile to spread clean across his too-perfect face. Did he honestly think his behaviour was charming, because quite frankly, he was being a total dick. He lifted his bottle to his ripe lips and swallowed. I tracked the movement; his thick neck rippled as the liquid slid down his throat effortlessly. God, I wanted to lick his neck and taste his skin. I mentally bitch slapped myself
for being a total idiot.

  “Are you serious?” she half-laughed in disbelief.

  “As a fucking heart attack.”

  “You’re a bastard,” she said, stamping her foot like a petulant child. I rolled my eyes and turned to take my soda.

  “Hmm, so I’m told.” The woman stormed off, waving her arms and flapping her jaw.

  I glanced across at him, hoping his attention was focused on her instead of me, but I was out of luck. When my gaze met his, his lips stretched into a knicker-wetting smile. Fuck!

  “You really are a bastard; your mouth just says what it wants.”

  “But I’m fucking awesome with my mouth, wouldn’t you agree?”

  I swallowed, because the bastard was talented with his mouth and tongue and any other appendage attached to his glorious body. He was a lethal sexual package I wanted to rip open with my teeth. But lurking beneath the pretty veneer was an arsehole, and I wanted nothing to do with him.

  “You’re thinking naughty thoughts, Em; you’re blushing. And I know from personal experience your nipples are the same colour as those beautiful cheeks –”

  “Okay, enough,” I held up my hand to silence him. “I get where this is going.” I took a hearty gulp of my iced drink.

  “I’m hoping back to my bed.” He stood, stalking toward me.

  “One time deal, remember, and—” I sighed. “Do you know what, I’m not wasting my breath. What you just did to that woman proves you’re a waste of my time. You treat women like pawns in a sick little game. I have a vagina and tits. So, what, you think sending a few dirty words my way, flatter my assets and drop your gorgeous smile and I’ll lie on my back, open my legs and welcome you in?” His smile slipped and his ears tinged pink. I stepped toward him. “I have more self-respect than to fuck a man who I know is married; I also have more respect for myself than to accept shitty one-liners. You may have been blessed with amazing looks, but do us all a favour and develop a personality to match, because the one you have disgusts me.” I turned to walk away when his meaty hand wrapped around my wrist.

  “Let me go,” I demanded through clenched teeth.

  “You’re right, I am a dick. And I–” I looked up at him when he paused. He had his head turned in the direction the woman had disappeared. “She came onto me. I was trying to be polite, but she wasn’t leaving. I said I was waiting on someone but–” he glanced down at my wrist as if realising he still held me. He pulled his hand away quickly and ran it down his trouser leg. “Sorry.” He took a step back and glanced around the bar. “You’re right; I am all those things you said with the exception of one thing, but I won’t bother you any longer.” He peered at me through his thick lashes, a regretful smile dimmed his face. “Bye, pixie-girl,” he muttered before walking away. His hulking figure crossed through the club. A pang of regret hit my stomach, but men would come and go through my life. I promised never to hold on, and I wouldn’t start now, especially to one already belonging to someone else.

  “Our girl has grown up. That was beautiful,” Phil said, startling me. He wiped a fake tear from his eye.

  “Doesn’t feel that way,” I said, letting out a long breath.

  “He asked if you would be in.”

  “Let’s not go there, okay, Phil?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  There was never a point in dreaming about the unobtainable. Following dreams was one thing, creating a nightmare was another. I had once lived a dream and suffered through a nightmare. I wasn’t brave enough to pursue more.

  I knocked on the door to my brother’s home. I’d dreaded coming today. I didn't want another day where we tore shreds off each other. I’d been over here just above a month, and every time I saw Jo, he’d railed at me for leaving Marissa. Part of me wanted to just admit what had happened, but she made me promise. Not that I owed the bitch anything, but I knew it would kill my mom to know the truth. But each time I heard the disappointment in my brother’s voice, I wanted to admit everything. What hurt more was that he thought I was such a lousy person I could just walk out on the woman I’d loved for the past twenty years. God, I felt old when I thought of it that way, but it was true. We’d gotten together when I was fourteen. I’d followed her round like a wimpy little pussy; yeah, my dick didn't know the difference between cool and pathetic loser at that age. We’d only been married twelve months; not my choice. I’d have married her the day she agreed to date me. See, total pussy. So, yeah, I was allowed to be a moody cunt. She had ripped my heart out and splattered it across the hospital ward for all of the midwives to see. I was dying inside when it should have been the most perfect time in our lives. I left the room and have refused to speak to her since. I communicated through my lawyers.

  The door swung open and a gorgeous brunette with a killer sense of humour stood there grinning at me.

  “Hello, brother.”

  “Hello, sister,” I said, grinning at her. I loved that chick; she was perfect for my little bro.

  “Unkie Wiww,” called my adorable little guy. The kid couldn’t pronounce his ‘L’ yet, but we’d get him there. The kid was far too cute for his own good. I wondered if Marissa’s kid was walking yet. Actually, no, I didn’t give a fuck what was happening with them.

  I scooped the little guy up.

  “Blankey,” he screeched.

  I grabbed the tatty looking blue rag from the floor, making my little man screech with delight. It was in the care package Mom sent over, one of the million she’d sent. Alfie may not have been her biological grandson but you would never know that. Jo, Ryan, and I had been replaced by the squirming little dude. Johan had been adopted into our family when he was a kid, and his uncle Ryan wasn’t officially adopted but we called him our brother and Mom treated him as her son, called him her son and loved him like a son. We were her boys and I dared anyone to dispute that. So, my little guy may not be blood, but he was ours. He brought life to Jo, and I honoured the kid for it. We may have been unconventional, but we were a family.

  “We cool?” I asked, and he nodded, tickling his fingers on my, almost, beard. I was well overdue for a shave, but Mar always hated when I let it grow, so I had a rebellion going on. She hated many things I’d indulged in lately, especially mind boggling sex in public with a gorgeous little pixie.

  “Late night?” Lou asked, peering up at me.

  I nodded. When wasn’t it a late night lately? My best friend was suddenly a bottle of Jack, and apparently a blonde-haired beauty who fucked the heartache out of me. For months I had tried to take away the pain Marissa had engraved inside me with her obscenely expensive, manicured nails. When I first left her, I did the one thing I never thought I would do – I used sex as a distraction. But random hook ups were not my thing; I think that’s why I found solace in the arms of a bottle of amber liquid. That is, until the pixie. I sounded like a total pussy, but not once had I thought of my bitch ex-wife when I was with the pixie-girl. I craved her body, like an animal. I didn’t even recognise who I was when I was with her. It was like I switched off and this beast replaced me. I was stunned speechless when I took her on my bike. I had no idea how I was supposed to end things after that, and when she started walking away after receiving her phone call, all I could think was I needed a few more minutes with her. So, like a douche, I offered her a lift. Then I practically fucked her against the wall in the high street the day after. I was not that guy; I didn’t do shit like that. For fuck’s sake, Mar planned our first fucking time together like a military operation. I just wanted to get laid already, but she wanted it on a specific day and we had to have this perfectly romantic fucking dinner first. But I waited and I did exactly what she wanted because I loved her, like a fucking tool. Until my time with Pixie, I’d never had sex out of the bedroom before. I couldn’t even claim my hook ups were in grimy public stalls; no, I’d taken them to their place or to a motel. I once tried getting Marissa to christen our new dining table, but she’d just giggled and run up the stairs
to our room. Every surface I saw, I could imagine taking my Pix against.

  “Did you hear any of what I just said, Will?” Lou’s amused little voice penetrated my sex haze.

  “What?” My cheeks burned as the blood rushed from my dick up my body to my neck. Motherfucker.

  She chuckled. “I asked if you wanted to come and meet some of our friends today. Ellie, my little sister, and my little champ here are going to a birthday party, but to be honest, there are likely to be more adults than kids.”

  Excited voices grew louder as two little girls came running down the stairs. They had flowery dresses on and their hair in fancy-assed braids.

  “Hi,” they both said as they got to the bottom of the stairs. The little blonde one seemed the most confident because the little brunette kid hid behind her and ducked her face out of sight. I smiled when her cheeks turned as pink as mine.

  “Izzy, don’t be shy. This is Will, Alfie’s uncle. This is Johan’s big brother.”

  “Hi,” I said, holding my hand up. Alfie reached out and gave me a high five, making me laugh.

  “I’m Ellie. Lou is my little sister,” the little blonde said proudly. I smiled at her obvious mistake.

  “Hi, Ellie.”

  “This is my friend Izzy; it’s her birthday today. You’re really tall.”

  “Hi, birthday girl,” I said, laughing. Izzy shielded herself with Ellie. I smiled and knelt on the floor. I knew my height sometimes intimidated people; it was a fucking curse. “So, can I come to your party? I promise I won’t eat all your cake.”

  Ellie turned and tapped her friend on her shoulder and started moving her hands.

  “Her batteries have gone flat,” Ellie said, making me frown. What the hell was she talking about?

  “She’s deaf, and her hearing aid batteries died about an hour ago. She can’t hear you without them, and she’s a little shy around new people.” Lou informed me.

  I reached out and tapped her to gain her attention. She peeked around her friend. I held up my hand and waved a little. “My name is Will,” I said slowly. I wasn’t sure if she could read lips but I thought it would be incredibly rude to just ignore the kid.