“Yeah.” Liv doesn’t seem to miss a beat. “There was some problem at the club, so Mase has gone with Dec to sort it out.”
“Is everything okay?” Mum asks.
“Yeah, nothing major. Some problem with a customer having a go at a member of staff, and the police being involved or something, but Dec was in a hurry, so we didn’t get details. We offered to tag along, but you know what Mase is like, especially with a baby on board.” She points to her belly. “Anyway, Dec wasn’t sure how long he’d be…”
“Which is why I thought I may as well come home.”
Mum and Dad both nod, buying Liv’s story completely and my few words of explanation for being home.
“You staying for a cup of tea, Liv?” Mum is already on her feet and preparing to put the kettle on.
Chapter 23
Declan
Mase stares at me across the roof as he gets out of my car and stands to his full height when we arrive at his home. “You ready to sort things out with Anita?”
I nod. “What do I say to her?”
“The truth.”
“But—”
Mase spins on his heels as we make our way towards the lift that will take us to the home he shares with Liv.
“Declan! I thought we’d agreed that you were going to tell her the truth.”
“I am.”
“Then do that. No half-truths or omissions because they’re essentially lies. In fact, they’re worse than lies, and not only will they come back and bite you on the arse. They will hurt Anita and I know that’s the last thing you want.”
“Thanks, Mase.”
“No problem. What else are big brothers for? Come on, time to face the music.”
When we walk into the flat on the top floor of Mase’s work building, that is essentially a penthouse apartment, we are greeted by the sound of silence.
“Where are they?” I whisper, somehow encouraged to match the quiet of my surroundings.
Mase shrugs. “My car was downstairs, so Liv made it home.”
“Maybe they’ve gone on somewhere…” my voice trails off when I see the murderous expression spreading across his face.
“They fucking better not have. In case you’d forgotten, my wife is pregnant.
“As if anyone could forget that fact.”
Looking around, I wait for something to confirm that the words I had planned to keep in my head have been spoken. I quickly realise that my words had remained in my head and the words were Liv’s as she comes into view in the dimly lit, open plan lounge.
“Baby.” Mase is already heading for his wife who stands against the wall of the corridor that leads to their bedroom.
I notice that she is wearing a pair of soft shorts and a baggy T-shirt. Sleepwear, begging the question if Liv was in bed, where is Anita?
“Don’t baby me.” She side steps him. “We need to talk.”
“I know and we will.”
She looks across at him and as pissed off as she is with him, there’s still a softness to her that shows that she loves him and they will be okay, no matter what.
