She played with the collar of his shirt, untying his tie then unfastening his belt.
“It’s all this activity, Michael, and having a houseful of people. It’s a major turn on.”
“Ok ... well, if this is what having a houseful of people does we may have to do this more often.”
It wasn’t the real reason, of course. The conversation she’d just had with Kenny had shaken her; it’d scared her, made her realise how much she actually did love her husband. And it had made her realise how terrified she was of losing him. So she wanted to be close to him. She needed to be close to him and just not think about anything else, and she knew sex wasn’t going to solve anything, but it would take her mind off it all for a while.
Slipping out of her dress and kicking it aside, she closed her eyes and threw her head back slightly as Michael started kissing her neck. She knew she’d been lucky to get away with this for as long as she had, but time had run out now. Kenny must have had this on his mind throughout the whole time she’d been pregnant and he hadn’t said a thing, he hadn’t even hinted, and why he’d waited so long before saying anything was still something she could only guess at, but he’d done it now. He’d brought it out into the open and this was a reality she now had to face, but it scared her. So much, because if Ethan was Kenny’s, what happened then? Would she lose Michael? Would she lose her little family that she loved so much? Because having Ethan had focused her mind. He had made her forget all those stupid ideas about Kenny, just like she’d hoped he would. If only she’d felt that way before that night in Vegas. One moment of weakness could have wrecked everything and if she thought about it too much it almost gave her a physical pain.
So she concentrated on what was happening now, letting Michael push her up against the wall, his body warm and hard against hers, his mouth soft and gentle as it kissed her breasts, moving up her neck until it met hers, and she kept her eyes closed, gripping onto his hand as they made love, not wanting it to end. Because when it did reality would return. A reality she couldn’t be sure of anymore. That all depended on what Kenny planned to do next.
***
Reece cradled his baby grandson in his arms as he walked around the beautifully decorated grounds of his daughter’s home. Emma had dressed him - on India’s instructions - in a tiny Guns ‘n’ Roses t-shirt, baby jeans and trainers, his head protected from the sun by a stars ‘n’ stripes bandana. It wasn’t the way Reece would have dressed him but he was certainly his daughter’s child, there was no mistaking that, and if she wanted him rock ‘n’ roll then that’s what he was going to be.
But there was no denying how cute he was. It seemed as if every few second’s people were stopping him to look at Ethan and comment on how gorgeous he was, and this was one baby boy who was getting used to life in the public eye very quickly. He already had his smile sorted, and a laugh that was undeniably infectious. He was one hell of a kid and both Reece and Martha adored him, so much so that they’d taken to begging to baby-sit. They loved having him. Reece had his beautiful wife, his gorgeous daughter and now a grandson he’d thought he’d never have. He had his perfect family. Or did he?
He looked around the stunning grounds again, amazed at the work that had gone on in just a few short days. Michael and India had really gone to a lot of trouble to make this a special day for their friends. The weather had been kind too. The sun was shining, it was warm and bright and everything seemed just right. So why did he suddenly feel a little uneasy?
Martha ran over with a tube of sunscreen, squeezing some out and rubbing it gently into Ethan’s skin. He pulled a face but didn’t whinge, it was attention, after all, and this kid seemed to thrive on that.
“There we are,” she smiled. “All done. Now, you come to grandma ... I still can’t get used to saying that.”
Reece smiled. “You’re the most gorgeous grandma I’ve ever met, that’s for certain.”
“Oh, you and your Irish charm,” she laughed, standing on tip-toes to kiss her husband quickly. “Come on. Let’s go grab a drink, and India says there’s some juice for this one in the kitchen incase he gets thirsty.”
They walked towards the house, passing one of the bars that had been set up outside on the various patio areas around the gardens. Kenny Ross was sitting at it, nursing a beer and looking less than happy, but he smiled as he caught sight of Ethan, who was playing with Martha’s hair and gurgling away as she talked to him.
“You ok?” Reece asked him.
Kenny nodded. “I’m fine.” He looked at Ethan again. “Can I ... can I hold him?”
Reece looked at Martha, who just shrugged.
“I didn’t think you were one for babies, Kenny,” Reece replied, watching as Martha handed Ethan over and Kenny took him in his arms, looking down at him.
“Well, this isn’t just any baby, is it?”
Reece started to get that uneasy feeling again as he watched Kenny with his grandson. The way he looked at him, the way he was studying his face, it didn’t feel right somehow.
Kenny looked up and smiled at Reece. “He’s India’s baby, isn’t he?” He looked down at Ethan’s smiling face again. “Hey, you’re one cool little guy, aren’t you? And you can tell your mom’s dressed you, because she’s dressed you just how we’d always said we’d want our kid to be dressed.”
Reece felt his stomach turn over at that last remark. The way Kenny had said it had felt loaded with meaning. He reached out and took Ethan back, holding him against his shoulder as his little eyes began to close, his tiny hand gripping his granddad’s jacket collar.
Reece looked directly at Kenny. “Was there something to be gained from that last statement?”
Kenny sat back down at the bar and took a swig of his beer. “Maybe you should ask your daughter.”
“I’m asking you.”
Kenny looked at him. He’d had enough. “We slept together. Me and India. We slept together, around the time she was trying to get pregnant. The dates add up, Reece.”
“The dates?”
“Ethan ... he could be mine.”
Reece didn’t know what to say, but it suddenly felt as if the bottom of his world had just fallen away. He’d known, in his heart of hearts, that when India had told him she’d wanted a baby he hadn’t been sure of her motives. He’d known she’d had something else on her mind, and now it seemed as though he’d been right. It was quite obvious now just what her mind had been on. Or should that be, who?
“And you’re sure of that, are you?” Reece asked, trying to stay calm but he was completely floored by this piece of news. Would his daughter ever learn where this man was concerned? Thirteen years he’d been in her life and complicated it beyond belief, but this was the worst thing that could ever have happened. What had she done?
“I’m as sure as I can be,” Kenny said, draining his beer. “All I know is that we had sex around that time and she can’t be sure he isn’t mine. She can’t be sure, no matter what she says.”
“Does she know about this?” Reece needed to speak to India. He needed to speak to her now.
Kenny nodded.
“And Michael?”
Kenny looked at Reece, shaking his head. “As far as I’m aware he has no idea.”
“Then you say nothing, do you hear me?” Reece moved closer, making sure he was out of earshot of anyone else, cuddling his now sleeping grandson against him. “You say nothing to anyone about this. Not one word. I’ll speak to India, I’ll talk to her, but you ... you keep this to yourself.” He turned to leave, holding Ethan against him, kissing his tiny, unsuspecting face before looking back at Kenny one more time. “For everyone’s sake.”
***
Michael closed the door of his study behind him and walked over to his desk, opening the top drawer and taking out the envelope, looking out of the window briefly at the activity going on outside before walking over and closing the blinds, turning round and going back over to his desk, sitting down behind it, turning the envelope over and ov
er in his hands. He still didn’t know if he could do it. He still didn’t know if he could face whatever might be inside. He loved that little boy. He loved him beyond anything he could ever imagine, and if the words inside this innocent looking envelope took that away from him, he couldn’t even think about what he’d do. But he wasn’t going to let that happen. No matter what, he wasn’t going to let that happen. And although he knew he should be blaming India for all of this he couldn’t, because he loved her too much and the last thing he wanted was to lose her. No, he blamed Kenny for everything. For every ounce of pain and every day of uncertainty that Michael had gone through he blamed Kenny.
India was Michael’s life and he couldn’t be without her. He could forgive her anything. She was his weakness, his obsession, his reason for getting up in the mornings and he’d do anything to keep her. Anything. Which is why, even if the results weren’t what Michael wanted to see, he was going to make sure that Kenny Ross never got to know that.
“Come on!” he said to himself, throwing the envelope down on the desk and pushing a hand through his hair. “Just fucking open it! Jesus, what the hell is wrong with you?”
Getting up again he went over to the table in the corner and poured himself a glass of bourbon, knocking it back in one, walking back over to the desk and taking out a packet of cigarettes from the bottom drawer. He hadn’t smoked in years but he always made sure there was a packet kept here just incase he had a moment of weakness. Like the one he was having now. He just needed that quick hit, something to make him feel less nervous.
Lighting up he took a long draw, closing his eyes. It made him feel sick rather than anything else but he took another draw before stubbing it out in his empty glass, looking at the envelope again, just staring at it for a few seconds before he picked it up and turned it round, running his fingers over the seal.
Walking back round behind his desk he sat down, leaning back and taking one last look at the envelope before finally ripping it open, pulling the single sheet of paper out from inside it. He closed his eyes again for a second, as if delaying looking at it would change the result, and as he opened them he quickly unfolded the white sheet of paper, scanning the words written down on it. And then, slowly putting it back down on the desk, he leaned forward, put his head in his hands, and closed his eyes once more.
CHAPTER 47
Reece found India in the kitchen, making up a bottle for Ethan, and the second she saw them she smiled the huge smile she couldn’t help smiling whenever she saw her son.
“Hey there baby boy!” She reached out and took him from Reece, kissing him quickly. “Don’t you look gorgeous? I knew this t-shirt would look so cute on you. You’re my tiny rock-star baby and mummy loves you so much.”
Reece leaned back against the counter, folding his arms. “Did you sleep with Kenny Ross when you were trying to get pregnant?”
India couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard and she looked up at her father. “I’m sorry?”
“Did you sleep with Kenny when you were trying to get pregnant, India?”
She cuddled Ethan to her, stroking his back as he closed his eyes again. “How … how do you know about that?” Just asking the question made her feel sick. How much more complicated could this get?
“Kenny told me. Just now. I’m assuming this happened when you were both filming in Vegas?”
She looked at her now sleeping baby, kissing the top of his head. What was Kenny doing talking to her father about that? What was going on?
“India?”
She nodded, unable to look at Reece.
“He says Ethan might be his. Is this true?”
India felt her stomach turn over. “No ... I don’t know.”
“Which is it? This is a baby we’re talking about here, India.”
“Do you not think I know that?” She looked up at her father, trying hard not to cry but this was all hitting home far too quickly for her. “Do you not think I’ve spent months thinking about this?”
“So, you had your suspicions? You knew and yet you didn’t say anything?”
“What was I supposed to say, dad? What was I supposed to do?”
“Jesus Christ, India ...”
“He’s Michael’s baby. I can feel it. He’s Michael’s.”
“Feeling it and knowing for definite are two completely different things. And what about Michael? Does he have any idea about this?”
“No. And I don’t want him to know either, not yet.”
Reece turned round, looking for a drink because he sure as hell needed one. Finding an open bottle of wine he poured himself a large glass.
“He might have to know, India. This is one hell of a mess you’ve got yourself into here, sweetheart. Why couldn’t you just leave Kenny Ross alone? Why do you keep going back for more when all he ever brings you is trouble?”
India threw Reece a look as Michael walked into the room, and Reece just picked up his glass and left them to it. What could he do now? This wasn’t really the time or the place to do anything, was it?
But India knew this wasn’t the end. Until the truth was out neither Kenny nor her father were going to let it go, she was well aware of that. All she could do was get through today for Charley and Vince because, after that, who knew what was going to happen? She certainly didn’t. But she sure as hell wished she did.
***
Layla slid onto the stool beside Kenny at the bar and ordered herself a glass of champagne.
“What’s the matter with you?” she asked, throwing the bartender one of her smiles.
Kenny looked at her. “Nothing’s wrong with me. I’m tired, that’s all.”
She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek. “Maybe we shouldn’t have stayed up all night last night then.”
Kenny wasn’t really in the mood for Layla right now. They’d been having a very secret - Kenny’s terms rather than Layla’s on that score - on/off relationship for a good few months now. Ever since the night of Ethan’s arrival. And Kenny was still trying to work out exactly how they’d fallen into that in the first place, and how it had lasted as long as it had because she aggravated him more than anything else. But she was wild in bed and had the ability to make him forget all the shit that was going on around him. He’d needed her as a distraction and he still did. For now.
Layla looked at Kenny. She knew he was never going to be forever. She could feel it in the vibes he gave off but she’d stick around for a while longer. They had fun when they were together, even he couldn’t deny that. And he was incredibly handsome, and that never hurt when it came to having fun. Plus, what would India say when she found out just who’d got her perfectly manicured claws into her best friend?
Then there was Michael. Layla couldn’t help smiling again as she sipped her champagne. She hadn’t seen India or Michael yet. She’d seen their baby. Who could miss him? He’d been paraded round the place by his grandma and granddad for most of the afternoon with people fawning over him left, right and centre. Not Layla, though. She didn’t do babies. Ok, so he was cute, all dressed up like some mini rocker, but he was still a baby.
She’d also been quite disappointed to see that India hadn’t lost her figure after having the kid. A photo shoot she’d done just three weeks after the birth had proved that. Layla had hoped to see stretch marks and a less than flat stomach – India was in her mid-30’s after all - but that hadn’t been the case. Still, that minor disappointment would soon be forgotten.
“Where are you going?” Layla asked, as Kenny slid off his stool and looked at his watch.
“I’m going to find India. I need to talk to her.”
“Why?”
He looked at her. “What the hell’s that got to do with you?. I’ll see you later.”
She watched him go, watched the way he walked, the way all female eyes automatically followed him. He had that effect on women, and she was all too aware that he still had that effect on India.
Turning back around she crossed he
r legs slowly, aware the bartender was watching her, and took a slow sip of her champagne, as the moment she’d been waiting for finally arrived. She smiled that Layla Boyd smile, crossing and uncrossing her legs once more. This was it. It was time. Let the fun begin.
***
Michael didn’t need this. He really didn’t need this. What the fuck was she doing here? He looked over at India, who seemed as stunned as he was. They hadn’t invited her, there was no reason for her to be here yet there she was, sitting at the bar, smiling at them. What shit was going on now?
“Is that Layla Boyd?” India asked, holding tightly onto Michael’s hand. “What’s she doing here?”
“I don’t know, baby. Leave it to me though, ok? I’ll go speak to her.” He had to get to her before she got to India, otherwise the unholy mess they were all in had the possibility of becoming a whole lot worse.
“Maybe she’s the plus-one of one of the other guests,” India said. “That’s not beyond the realms of possibility.”
Michael squeezed her hand, his stomach in knots. He needed to get to her fast. Layla Boyd was unpredictable, and he’d had enough of that for one day. There were too many other things going on in his head without him having to deal with this too.
“I’ll find out what’s going on. Don’t worry.”
She looked at him. She wasn’t worried. What was the panic? She didn’t particularly like Layla Boyd but if she was a genuine partner of one of the other guests then what else was there to find out?
She let go of his hand and watched as he walked over to Layla at the bar.
“India?”
She turned around to see Kenny, who was holding Ethan. “What are you doing with him?” she asked, taking her son from him. “He’s never going to sleep at this rate. He’s getting passed around like a bloody parcel this afternoon.”
“We need to talk.”
She looked at him. “Now? Here? Would you like to suggest something just a little more inconvenient?”
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