Page 16 of Love Thief

I grin. “I know it’s not. I looked when we came into the drive. Jake towed it away early doors. He texted me, but I like a bit of drama, so I went with it.”

We all go outside to where the girls are insisting the car should be.

Walking up with the most ridiculously innocent face I can muster, I ask, “Is it there?” Kellen turns to look at me, and then shakes his head, saying nothing. “As you can see, sergeant, no flat car. I think these girls need to stop day drinking in the sun,” I say, the picture of innocence.

Xan stands next to me grinning. “Way to go, Kitten,” he whispers. Bumping hands with me conspiratorially.

“Well ladies, as there is no flat car, and Miss Greystone here owns this house and all the land around it, if she feels like a bit of redecoration is needed, I don’t think that’s a crime. I’ll be off. Evie, your lordships, see you later.”

“You own this house?” the tall, blonde one screeches out. “You!?”

I smile at them all. “I do. All of it. Every last brick, plate, cup, glass, bottle, window—the lot.”

They all stand there, unsure what to do next. Gabe, their saviour, comes around the side of the house to where we’re all standing. They all start to flap like a flock of geese towards him.

“Gabe, brother, can we have a chat?” snaps out Kellen, looking directly at Gabe and cutting off the women before they have a chance to start squawking again.

Gabe raises his eyes to heaven. “Sure, let's go. Xan, you coming?”

They all go off, leaving me behind with the four flapping women. I narrow my eyes at them all. I’ve had quite enough of their shit. “Shouldn’t have called the police, girls. Whatever happened to all girls together, girl power, solidarity.” I make a power salute with my fist.

“You shouldn’t be with Marcus.”

Blondie again. It pisses me off. Everyone's an expert on who Marcus should be with, and it’s never me. Well, fuck her. And her opinions.

“Why? He likes me, I like him. Why shouldn’t I be with him? Clearly you all have.” I’m trying desperately not to show my anger, disappointment, and—if I’m being honest with myself—a tiny bit of jealousy.

“Not for the last week or so,” says an American one. “He turned all of us down. And then you showed up. We know who you are. You’re James’s mother.”

“I am, but you all didn’t need to be nasty about it. You’re here with Gabe and Xan, what’s not to like?”

“I’m here for Gabe,” she says, “but we’ll all be sent home now. Pretty sure Marcus won’t want us here after the trouble we caused you.” She sounds gutted, but I shrug at her.

“I won’t be sent home, I know his mother,” The English woman announces haughtily, pushing her chest out. I chuckle at that. “Rowena was right about you, who the hell do you think you are?” She finishes on a flourish.

“I’m Evie Fucking Greystone, and you’ll be the first one gone.” I point at her.

She laughs and says with full condescension, “We’ll see.”

Spotting Nikki coming out of the house carrying boxes, I walk over, leaving the chuntering women.

“Nikki, is that stuff from the dining room?” He looks guilty as hell. “I told you to leave it. The cleaning people will be here shortly, let them do it, mate.”

“Oh you know I like to clean. It’s like a dream come true in that room. You wanted to redecorate it anyway. Can I pick décor? I’ve got a great idea for it, so we can use it better.”

“Knock yourself out. I’m off, but I’ll come back for you later. Just send me your mood boards. I know you’ll have at least three.” I grin impishly at him.

“I love you, Evie. Feel free to smash more things up, darling. That study at Greystone farm if you get a chance. I hate it.” He hugs me and skips back into the house.

I walk back towards the truck, not waiting around for the next round of issues. I'm off, it’s theirs to sort. I pull the handle on the truck door, opening it up and starting to climb in.

“Where are you going? We’ve unfinished business.” Kell strides up and pulls me out of the truck and backs me up to it, looking down his nose at me. “Tug your forelock at me again and I’ll spank your arse in front of everyone, especially as you are actually the countess currently.”

He presses the lower half of his body into me, so I can feel his hard cock bulging behind his zipper. Pinning me in place, he holds my throat lightly. “You’re Evie Fucking Greystone are you? I don’t think so. You’re Evie Fucking Russell, and you better use it.”

“Are they going or staying?” I nod towards the house.

“Not my issue. It’s Gabe and Xander’s party.”

---