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“I don’t think he was on his own. Last Christmas he had his house raided due to noise. It was on all the entertainment sites. Full of women, full party mode for four days. Started Christmas eve and just carried on.”
“Exactly,” I say. “Alone.”
“E, he was photographed having a sex act performed on him, by two women.” His voice is getting louder and louder.
“You think I’m deluded, don’t you? That because he’s a celebrity, and constantly got people with him, he’s not lonely. Well, Jonno, I think he is. I think he’s a sad state, and I think James will see straight through him. To be honest, I don’t know if Kellen is ready for James. James is way more ruthless than him, and probably has more emotional intelligence than him. I think James will tear him apart.”
Jonno is staring at me. “Wow, Evie. Harsh.”
“I loved Kellen Russell, Jonno. Loved, past tense. That guy who fucked me within an inch of my life? That wasn’t him. He was an echo of him. He was Marcus Fucking Russell, and I was glad he was leaving. Fun, yes, but nothing else. ‘Cos there’s nothing else there, nothing. Weird isn’t it, how someone can walk, talk, and look like someone, but not be them. Well I want the real McCoy. The real deal. I deserve that, Jonno. I’m not trading down for anyone.” I look at Jonno with clear eyes, and I know I’m going to be just fine.
A week later, I load my boys up to set off to LA. No contact from Kellen for me, but lots via James. It’s made me smile as it was so on the cards. Jude, Jackson, and Jonno have started calling me ‘Witch.’ I laugh saying, “No supernatural power required to see that coming.”
The headlines have been horrendous, though. Kellen has really gone for it. Photographs all over every possible platform and media outlet. Drunk? Definitely. High? Possibly. Women? Absolutely. Lots and lots of women. Predictable? Totally.
I thought at one point he’d changed his name to Marcus “Oral Sex” Russell, and I actually questioned about the lads going out there if this is what they were going too. Would Marcus be unable to control himself? Continue this type of behaviour. I was shouted down by every one of them, and in the end had to shut up as I was reminded by James that he and Bucky are eighteen years old and legally adults. So I could not stop them anyway. They are right, of course, but it still doesn’t stop me worrying they’ll make crappy decisions. I just hope my influence will go with them.
On the day of departure, there’s a lull in the action when everything is packed and waiting at the front door. James pulls me into the office and shuts the door behind us. “Don’t worry about me, Mum. I know the score,” he says in a determined voice.
“I know sunshine. I trust you totally. It's everyone else.”
He stands in front of me, towering over me, and looks me in the eye. “I won’t turn into him, you know. There’s too much Greystone in here. And too much of you.” He points to his chest and heart. I feel my eyes fill with tears as he pulls me into a hug. “If it gets too bad, I’ll move out of his house. Xander lives next door. Or we’ll get a hotel and come home.”
“I hope it doesn’t get to that.” I gulp at him.
“You’ve seen the headlines. Even if they are exaggerated, he's chaos.” He’s still holding me. “You know, I don’t think either of you got out of that weekend without being marked. We could just see yours better,” he muses.
“When did you get so wise?” I smile up at him.
“Born wise, Momma,” he smirks. “And uncles who are maniacs help. Like I said, if he thinks I’m gonna stay there and watch him implode, he’s crazier than Uncle Jonno. But I want to get to know him better, and that’s where he is, so…” he trails off.
“You’ll have an amazing time. Don’t forget to call, and make sure they all call the families. I won’t panic if I don’t hear from you every day, ‘cos I know you’ll be having an amazing time. Just when you get a chance. I’ll tell Bucky the same.” I kiss him and hug him hard.
I see them off with a tear in my eye, standing at the road edge, waving, until the car is gone totally out of sight.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
MARCUS
The cleaning crew I ordered finally arrived. They’re deep cleaning everything. Mick, I’m sure, is about to quit. Xander is about to disown me. I’m not one hundred percent certain James, Bucky, and his friends will be on that flight. I am a complete and utter fucking mess.
Amber and Susie, the two women who’ve been here all week, come out to the back yard where I’m standing, staring at the sea. Gabe follows them. It’s been a week of threesomes, foursomes, and whatever the hell number I could fit in the games room. Yet my mind is still all over the place. I don’t feel any better than when I boarded that fucking plane from England. In fact, if I’m honest with myself, I feel worse. I’m desperately trying to switch off my brain and feel the pleasure. It worked sort of, in the past. Maybe I need to go back to adding the drugs in, instead of just the alcohol. What the fuck is wrong with me?
Ever since he walked in on me fucking someone at uni—and instead of leaving, sat in a chair and jerked off—Gabe’s been part of my lifestyle. It might have started as simple menages, but the more famous we got, the higher the numbers went. I know he has more than a casual friendship interest in me, but I’m not into him as a solo partner. We did get it on once, but it just confirmed my disinterest. He’s always careful, worried I’ll break up the band if he pushes too far. So he continues to watch, touches me when we’re with women, but never on our own.
“James and the boys will be here soon. You lot need to leave.” My face is totally devoid of expression, my voice flat. This is a business transaction as far as I’m concerned.
Gabe looks at me then nods, but the girls pout and plead to stay.
“You can stay at mine while they’re here,” he says to them. “We’ll come back when they’re gone.” Turning to me, he smirks. “You going to last a week? Maybe Amber should stay.”
I wave my hand in a manner that tells them I can't be bothered and mutter, “Whatever.” I have too much other shit on my mind to debate the who and where with them.
Amber claps her hands together, as if I’d given her the green light instead of sheer indifference, and rushes to move her stuff to the room next to mine. Mick comes out, nearly knocking her over, and carries on walking, not an apology in sight. Yeah, he’s going to quit.
“Time to go, Marcus, if we want to meet them when they land.” He turns to Gabe and asks “Are all the girls going with you?”
