Page 100 of Love Thief

Xan scrolls through all the texts, the photos James has bombarded me with. “The little shit.” He smiles, the fucker. “You’ve bred one ruthless man.”

I shake my head. “No, they have,” I spit. “He is relentless.”

Xan looks at me. “We need to go home. You need her, Marcus. You’re dying, they’re killing you. James was right in what he said about them. They wanted what Evie had. They saw Kellen, how you are when she’s around, and they want him. But you only give them Marcus, and even then it isn’t. Not really. Let’s go home, Kell.” He’s begging me with his body and eyes.

“She won’t have me. I’ve done too much damage. I went out with her former friends, was photographed with them, let them hang off me. They touched me when I was asleep. She won’t get past that.”

“You never fucked them. Never, not once. You never touched them, anyone, because they weren’t her.”

“She won’t see that. She won’t want me. Maybe she’ll be with Kasey Becker. He seems to want her, with my children in tow.” Feeling completely dejected, desperate, I raise my eyes to the ceiling, hoping to find some inspirational ideas there.

“You can’t let that happen. What will you feel like if Kasey fucking Becker is co-parenting your children. No way, Marcus. No. We need to go. Now.”

We stand, listening to the heartbeat sounds on repeat.

“I’m going even if you aren't,” Xander finally says. “James sent me the photos as well. By the looks, he’s applying leverage. Come with me. They want us there, they must. Why would James be bothered if they didn’t. They would have walked away. She can do it on her own, she has before. She’s older now, wiser, more money, more family around her. Jonno is her partner, he’s been attending all the appointments.”

“How do you know?” I ask him.

“He sent me messages after each one, calling us names. Telling me to bring you home. Let’s go, Marcus. You don’t want to be on this side of the Atlantic when she goes into labour.”

Lauren storms into the room, screeching, “How do you know they’re his children?” Xan just looks at her with contempt, he doesn’t say a word. “She was with any number of men. She’ll have to do a paternity test to find out who’s the dad.” She goes on, desperation dripping from her voice, “In fact, one of her brothers could be. She’s always with the younger one. Grace said she heard the security team saying they slept together all the time.”

I ignore her, turning fully away from her.

“I can’t, Xan. What if I go and something happens? It’s me, it’ll be my fault if something happens. No, I need to stay here. I'll go see her after. She’ll?—”

“Why? Why go at all. You’ve everything here,” Grace implores me as both she and Becky come towards me, followed closely by Gabe, half dressed and half baked.

“If they are your children, and I doubt it, you can get a test done and fetch them here. There’s enough of us to look after little kids, we work in a school.” Lauren points to herself and Grace. “We’re better qualified to look after your children than the crazy Greystones. You could go for full custody.”

Xan starts to laugh. “Yeah, because James and Bucky are well damaged. Who’d want whoever brought them up to deal with your kids?”

“Well I thought he was damned rude and so cocky when he was here. Who did he think he was, telling us we were skanks, stalkers, and no good for you,” Grace puts in.

“He was always unruly and opinionated,” Lauren adds, and I raise my eyebrows at Xan. That one sounded familiar.

Xan is smiling, and I can see him thinking yes, he is unruly and opinionated, and thank fuck for that.

“Well you do what you want, Marcus, but I’ll be gone shortly. I’m not staying here, I’m bored to be honest. I think it’s time we had a clearance sale, too much samey is no good for us. The rule is one and done, and these have overstayed their welcome. Gabe, take them to yours or they go home,” he says, totally serious.

“It’s not up to you, Xander, it’s Kellen’s house,” Lauren whines.

I look up sharply. “My name is Marcus to you. I’ve fucking told you so many times… In fact, I agree with Xan. Go to Gabe’s or leave, get your stuff. Mick,” I shout, and he leaps forward.

“You bastard,” gasps Grace, “we are together.” Desperation laces her every word.

I look at her, disgust evident in my tone and face, my lip practically curling back on itself. “In what fucking universe are we together? Do you think I would fuck you? Not a chance. We are not together, we have never been tofuckingether, and never will be. Do you think dying your hair the same colour as hers will keep you here?” I laugh at her audacity. “Your trouble is you think you are her, or could be.” I shake my head. “Go to Gabe’s, he's still bothered, or leave.”

“I’ll tell everyone about you and Gabe, oh and Xander,” says Grace, even more distressed than before.

“Yeah, yeah old news. I went on a morning show and said that earlier in the year, nothing new there.”

“We’ll tell Evie what we’ve done with you, every last detail. If you think she’ll be interested then, you’re crazy. She won’t lower herself to have you,” spits Lauren.

“Gabe’s or home,” I say, pointing at the door. “I’ll take my chances. Now get the fuck out of my house.” I walk outside and leave Mick to move them all on, including Becky.

Xan walks out to me. “Are you coming home?” The hope in his voice is palpable.

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