‘Don’t push me, BJ. I love my family and I don’t want to hurt them. I’ll tell Jake when the time is right. You have to trust me that I know my brother better than you.’
His jaw is set hard. A pulse throbs in it like a heart. ‘Don’t delay it too long, or I’ll have to take it into my own hands.’
EIGHTEEN
Layla
‘Did you sleep last night?’ Dominic asks.
I flush. ‘Why do you ask?’ I question defensively. We are standing outside my flat in the weak morning sunshine.
‘You always have blue shadows under your eyes when you don’t sleep well.’
‘Oh! Yeah, I didn’t sleep too well last night. Just a bit worried about my interview tomorrow, I guess,’ I lie.
‘If that asshole doesn’t give you the job, just let me know and I’ll send a couple of boys around to smash up his offices.’
I give him a dirty look and he grins.
‘That might have been funny if it had come from Shane. From you it’s just downright scary,’ I say, getting into his brand new BMW i8.
He laughs and I join in. I love it when Dominic laughs. It changes his whole face.
The car is filled with the scent of new leather and the strawberry air freshener that hangs from the rearview mirror. The engine roars aggressively to life and I settle back to enjoy a wild ride. My brother drives like a mad man.
He says he wants to try out his new chef, so he takes me to breakfast at a wine bar he has recently acquired. It’s an old railway station that has been converted for commercial purposes. It still has the metal finials and a platform in the middle. He has named it Applegate Station. The décor is a cross between eclectic and sophisticated with a painted piano, French farmhouse style rustic accessories, chintz upholstery with peacocks and bright foliage, and dark wooden floors. The overall effect is effortless chic.
‘What do you want to eat?’
He orders scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and I tell the waiter to double the order.
People are terrified of Dominic because he has such a ready and explosive temper, but I know he is the only one who can stand up to Jake if necessary. So I decide to very gently put out some feelers.
‘I was out with Ria last night,’ I say stirring sugar into my coffee, ‘and I was curious. What was the feud with the Pilkingtons actually about?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. It was centuries ago. These things start for small matters and carry on through the generations. Each generation hating each other without knowing why.’
‘I see. So now our families are friends?’
He takes a sip of orange juice and studies me over his glass. ‘I guess so.’
I have to be careful. Dominic is a hot head but he is very intelligent. Very quick to catch on.
‘Do we do business with the Pilkingtons?’
‘Not really. We have our territories clearly drawn up so there are no misunderstandings. BJ doesn’t mess with us and we don’t mess with him.’
‘So why did Jake and BJ fight then?’
‘It was a misunderstanding.’
‘Right.’ I pause. ‘So technically there’s no reason why our families shouldn’t do business or socialize?’
‘Technically? No.’ His voice has become still and his face watchful.
‘Well, I think you’ve done a fine job with this place. It’s beautiful. Ah… and here comes the food.’
The waiter puts the food on the table. After a flurry of questions about whether we want black pepper or more drinks, we are alone again. I pick up my knife and fork. ‘Bon appetito,’ I wish heartily.
‘Layla.’ Dominic’s voice is too quiet.
I put my fork and knife down and slowly lift my eyes up to his.
He is staring at me with disbelief. ‘Who did you really go out with last night?’
I lean back against the bright peacock and foliage upholstered chair. ‘BJ,’ I admit quietly.
His hand comes crashing down on the table. The cutlery and plates jump. I jump. I have never seen Dominic get angry with me.
My hand covers my mouth.
‘Fuck!’ he swears loudly.
I stare at him. He puts his palm over one eye. ‘What the fuck, Layla?’
‘Please,’ I beg. ‘Please don’t tell Jake.’
At the mention of Jake’s name, Dominic erupts into another litany of loud curses. Fortunately, the place is not yet open to the public. I can hear the staff in the bar scurrying out to the back.
I sit it out until he gets a hold of himself. ‘How far has the relationship gone?’
‘I’ve only met him a few times. It’s not really a relationship. It’s just a sex thing.’
‘Don’t fucking tell me that! I’m your fucking brother.’
‘Sorry,’ I apologize quickly.
‘BJ! Why? Why on earth did you have to choose him? He’s such a fucking dog. He’s gone through all the women in Shane’s club.’ He stares at me. ‘Every fucking one.’
I look down. I know I should be ashamed. I should be mortified that I’ve given myself to a man who is so obviously a man-whore, but I’m not. And that thought gives me sudden strength. I won’t sit here and let my brother abuse BJ. I have something with BJ and I don’t want to be disloyal to that thing, whatever it is. I reach out my hand and place it on my brother’s arm. It pulls him out of his rage.
‘He’s not like what you think.’
My brother groans. ‘How can you even say that? He’s got you going behind all our backs and lying! Shit! He’s havin’ a laugh at our family’s expense. I thought he was more honorable than that!’
I flush to the roots of my hair. ‘It’s not his fault. He wanted to confront Jake, but I begged him not to. It’s the wrong time. Jake is so happy at the moment. In less than a month he is going to be a dad. I don’t want to spoil it for him.’
I see Dominic’s expression change and I press my advantage. ‘Besides, if BJ is the dog you say he is, it will all be over in the next couple of weeks. Why worry and upset Jake unnecessarily?’
‘You deserve better than that barbarian, Layla.’ He looks sad when he says it.
‘It’s just an experience, Dom. I’m not planning to marry him or have a family with him. I’m all grown up now and I’m just spreading my wings, living my life.’
‘If he fucking hurts you …’
‘I am not going to get hurt. I’m going in with my eyes wide open. But if I do get hurt, then I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and I’ll be wiser for it. I won’t shame our family.’
‘I’ll give you until the baby is born. If you’re not finished spreading your wings by then I’m telling Jake,’ he says sternly.
‘Thank you. I know it will have died away by then.’
‘It better fucking have,’ he says morosely.
After that we eat our breakfast, but my news has put Dominic in a foul mood and by the time he drops me off I too have been affected by it.
I call BJ.
He answers on the first ring. There is tension in his voice. ‘Hi. Everything OK?’
‘Not really. I stupidly asked Dom a few questions about the feud and you, and he immediately guessed. So I had to tell him. He didn’t react very well, but he did promise not to interfere and to let me tell Jake when I’m ready.’
‘Want to do lunch?’
‘Yeah, but let’s go somewhere no one knows us.’
NINETEEN
Layla
I have my stockinged feet up on the radiator and the radio is on as we drive away from London to BJ’s country house. Outside, the rain is lashing down in sheets making visibility poor. It makes me feel we are in a bubble. Lost Frequencies comes on.
‘This is my most favorite song in the whole wide world,’ I tell him and turn it up as loud as it will go.
He smiles.
My lips are painted red and I feel happy. The kind of happy that makes you feel like you can jump up and touch the ceiling. When you think you love the whol
e world and everyone in it because you are so happy.
The electric gates open and we drive into Silver Lee. It is only two o’clock, but it is already dark and all the lights have been lit. BJ opens the door and I precede him.
‘Is no one in?’
‘No, I asked my housekeeper to make himself scarce until later tonight.’
I grin. ‘So we are totally alone?’
‘Not quite. There is someone I have to introduce you to.’
I raise my eyebrows.