Page 63 of Bad Duke

She stands up and rounds her desk.

“Where are you going?” I look at her surprised by her sudden burst of energy.

“I’m going to get some work done. You’ve been here four hours, the party thing will be finished, you should go home to your wife.”

I take in what she says before I swallow my drink and as she struts out I take out the scan photo from my jacket pocket and look at the 3d image we had done last week. Olivia is still adamant that we’re having a girl, but I know for sure she’s carrying me a son. I smile sadly at the image when I realise Marina’s optimism isn’t enough. Olivia told me herself when we got into this that she would never love me. She can tolerate me on my bad days and, maybe, on my good ones she might even like me. She likes the things I can make her body do, and I know she’ll love the person we made together but I’m kidding myself if I believe that she could ever love me. Nobody can love a monster.

So, instead of going home, I pick the bottle up from the desk and unscrew the lid, pouring myself another.

OLIVIA

I throw my phone on the sofa when my call goes straight to the answerphone and start to worry as I look up at the clock. It’s nearly midnight and Alex still isn’t home. He hasn’t called or texted which isn’t like him. Usually, he texts me at least every other hour to check I’m okay.

The party Leah organised for me finished hours ago and I can’t help worrying now that something’s happened to him.

Alex is tied up with all kinds of things, and I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s invincible. You’d think having one of your best friends killed would make you stop and think but no, not my husband.

I struggle onto my feet when the front door crashes open and Alex stumbles inside aided by an unimpressed-looking Marina.

“Evening, Olivia.” She gives me one of her tight smiles, which I’ve learned is intended to be friendly.

“Ignore her, she’s pissed that she wasn’t invited to the party.” Alex makes his way over to me and grabs my face

“Wow.” I pull away when the alcohol on his breath makes my eyes water.

“I had a few drinks,” he tells me, stumbling on his feet and trying to focus.

“I can tell.” I look across at Marina and return the smirk she’s looking at me with.

“How was the baby rain?” he asks, slumping himself onto the bottom step of the stairs and taking off his tie.

“It was great.”

“And what did you think of Bea? She’s nice, right?” He kicks off his shoes, leaving them where they land, and attempting to stand back up.

“She’s lovely,” I assure him, moving over to help him up the stairs.

“I’ve got him, Ma’am.” Patrick steps forward from his post and manages to lift him onto his feet.

“I’m sorry, he came to the club to get out of your way and ended up having a few too many. In the office, of course,” Marina assures me as if she can read the thoughts in my head.

“I’m glad he had a good time, he’s been uptight lately,” I admit with a sad smile as I watch Patrick try to help him.

“He explained and he’s trying,” she assures me, while Patrick takes two steps up, then three steps back in his attempt to get him up the stairs.

“I’m sorry Leah didn’t invite you to the shower. She must have thought it wasn’t your kind of thing.”

“It’s not,” she tells me. “I can’t think of anything worse than a party without alcohol.” She lights herself up a smoke and although Alex doesn’t allow smoking in the house anymore, I don’t stop her. She’s far too intimidating.

“Just be patient with him, Olivia,” she offers me some advice and I can see how deeply she cares about him from the softness in her eyes.

“I’ll be as patient as I can, I promise.”

“I know you will.” She takes my hand and squeezes it before she sees herself out the door.

* * *

I stir awake when I feel something soft and warm stroking between my legs, and when I look up over the rise of my stomach and see Alex’s head buried between my thighs, I smile to myself.

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