“Oh?”I raised both eyebrows.
Damian tilted his head. “Do you know him?”
“I... uh, that’s my brother’s name,” I managed, rubbing my trembling fingers together.
“Mom pays him. She pays for lays.” The boy smirked, showing too much knowledge for his age.
Alistair warned, “Damian, that’s enough…”
“Julian went home early tonight,” Damian continued, ignoring his father. “Your brother has kind eyes, dark like yours. That’s why you remind me of him. He taught me to play Uno once…”
“Stop it, son,” Alistair ordered. He flushed, and his fists clenched as a muscle twitched in his cheek.
Air rushed from my body as if a vacuum sucked the life out of me. My legs shook, and my hands trembled with shock.Think, Vera. Think. Stay calm, Vera. The boy needs stability now. I masked my shock with a serene smile. “Damian, I’m sorry you’ve had a rough night. I’m also sorry we met under these circumstances.”
“Naw, it’s alright. I’m used to it. I hate living with my mother.”
“Would you like me to get you something to drink?” I asked, remembering the breathing technique my therapist taught me to deal with anxiety.
“Yes, please, Vera,” Alistair cut in. “I’ll talk to you when I’m done with Damian.”
One hour later
How can it be?
Alistair’s ex-wife, Saira Quinn, was a ruthless barracuda who came from old money, according to news reports. When she and Alistair married, two of Lester Harbor’s most powerful families… the Quinns and the Scotts… became one. If their union sounded like royalty, they were. They were sovereigns in business and politics with connections to key political leaders. And, she was shady. Rumors about her dealings with the mafia floated above the surface. It wasn’t hard to find information on social media. I was processing it all when I heard footsteps entering the master bedroom.
“Vera, would you like some coffee?” Alistair called from the doorway. He walked toward me with two porcelain mugs in his hands.
“How is Damian?” I asked, taking my coffee from him. It was still the early hours of the morning, but my night was already ruined, and I was wide awake.
“He’s asleep.”
“Did you know?” I asked.
“Huh?” he replied. His lack of an honest answer infuriated me.
“Did you know your ex-wife pays my brother for sex?”
“Please, sit down and let me explain.”
I sat on the white leather sofa and stared at the city lights through the glass window. Alistair placed his mug on the coffeetable and began rubbing my shoulders, but I flicked his fingers away. The last thing I needed was affection.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
“You knew all along.” I turned to Alistair and stared at his ashen, unshaven face. “And yet, you devised an elaborate plan and feigned ignorance to get me to sleep with you.”
“Vera…”
“Was this your sick and twisted way of getting back at your ex-wife? By sleeping with her lover’s sister?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it, Alistair? Because none of this makes sense.” I crossed my arms, pinning him with a look. “You know what bothers me most? Your son. That kid’s been through enough. He’s got a mother dragging him into things he shouldn’t see, and a father who’s never around.”
Standing up from the sofa, I narrowed my eyes at Alistair. “Damian deserves so much more than this.”
“I never intended to hurt you. I care about you.” Alistair stood up, attempting to touch my arm.
