Page 4 of Love Thief

Chapter

Two

KELLEN

This place is amazing. I can see why she loves it here. Why her shoulders dropped and she relaxed more and more the nearer we got. I can see and feel Evie in every brick, nook and cranny. Can’t deny I love the fact that Pinky appears to know me, and love me. And now that I've seen him, I remember Marshall. A quiet man, tall at six foot two, rangy build, dark brown hair, grey-blue eyes with lots of creases around them when he smiles. A big slow smile never far away, especially if Evie was around. Always stood in the background, watching. I realise now, watching out for Evie.

The parental Greystones I remember. Pete and his wife Pat don’t look any older. And Jake is just an older version of his brother, Jude. They’re polite but distant with Xan and I, finally warming up a bit when we start talking about my cousin Anthony and his trips to see them here in Devon.

We all troop into the large open-plan kitchen. A large table similar to the one at Greystone house in London sits comfortably in the middle of the room. Large windows look out towards fields and also down towards the sea. From every window, a different vista.

Marshall is manning the grill, and I smile as I remember Jackson being touchy about the job when we were in London. Evie moves towards the cabinets and collects whiskey glasses for us all. Putting them onto the large table we’ve all seated ourselves around, she pours four fingers for everyone. Pete raises his eyebrows at her, but she just smiles to herself and carries on.

Once we’re all armed with our glasses, she stands and faces the group. When I go to her side, and she brushes my hand with her fingers, my heart rate picks up. How the fuck am I going to last six months if she continues to touch me?

Jake looks at Pete, the Greystone silent chat in full force.

“Thanks for coming over on short notice.” She’s smiling, a little bit of trepidation settling on her face at the unsmiling Greystones.

“It’s hardly far, lovey,” Pete says, glaring at me.

“I know, but I know you’re busy. It’s just I,” she gestures to me, “we have an announcement.”

I step forward and look directly at the Greystones and Marshall. I can see Evie is worried about telling them, and the urge to protect her is overwhelming. My confidence may border on arrogance, but I’m past caring. It’s done, they can’t undo it. But I know how important the Greystones and Marshall are to my wife and sons, so I infuse some humility in my tone as I tell the group, “I asked Evie to marry me and she thankfully said yes. We got married yesterday, with my sons and best friend as the witnesses.”

“I cried,” puts in Xander to no one in particular. “And the kiss was epic.” He’s grinning like a lunatic at Evie and the boys. They all smile back at him, grateful I think to detract from the tension that’s building around the table.

“We’d like your blessing, your love and support. I’ve vowed to Evie to look after her and the boys.” No one says a word.

“I thought it wasn’t real,” Pat mutters, looking around the room in confusion.

“My boys told me you had to get married because of issues with your title, Russell.” Pete’s voice drips with contempt. “If James wants it, fair enough, we’ll support that. And of course we love them all. But mark my words, boy, you hurt my Evie, James or Bucky, what I did to your Dad back in Yorkshire will seem like child’s play.” Pete stands, the chair sliding out forcefully behind him.

Jake wastes no time standing next to him, staring intently at me. Fucking Greystones. Always trying to intimidate me when it comes to her.

“My intention is to treat all three of them with love and respect,” I state with genuine conviction and confidence. “I love my sons, I won’t hurt them,” I finish off softly.

“The agreement is for six months,” Evie adds. “We think James’s position should be set by then, and we should be okay to…move on.”

She’s worried. I can see the frown on her face as she looks at them all. The only person not scowling is Marshall. He’s looking directly at James and Bucky.

“James, Bucky, are you happy with this, boys?” he asks them, looking from one to the other. “Are you both certain this man will treat you and your mother well?”

“Yes, Marshall, I am,” James states with absolute certainty. Bucky nods, also in agreement.

“Then alright with me, Evie.” He picks up his glass and looks around at the rest of the family. “Pete, I think we should trust Evie’s judgement on this,” he advises.

Pete nods his agreement, but doesn’t smile. If looks could kill, I would be a corpse by now.

“To us, then. To my wife and sons.” I tip the glass towards them and then drink my glass dry. Putting the glass down on the large kitchen table with a thunk, I smile as I take Evie’s hand, and glare back at the Greystone men. There’s no fucking way they’re going to make her feel like shit for doing something for her son. They better get fucking ready if they think they can.

“Has Nikki been here?” asks Evie. “The food smells amazing,” She’s obviously trying to distract them, as she looks over onto the work surfaces piled with food.

“He came this morning, and he’ll be back tomorrow to do breakfasts and lunches. He’s over at Farm Cottage cooking a last evening dinner for the holiday let.” Marshall takes her hand, his face alight with love. “It’ll all work out midarlin’, don’t you worry so much.”

The Greystones leave after the most awkward meal in history is finally done. And it’s not soon enough in my view.

I’m giving Xander the we need a chat eye as Evie asks us, “Shall I show you your rooms?”

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