I stood up to hug them, surprised at how much I’d missed them over the last few days, especially as I hadn’t been able to receive any messages.
“You look really well,” Ava said.
She was possibly the loudest and most outgoing of all of us and I was still surprised she hadn’t ended up on stage in the West End, although not being able to sing was probably something to do with that.
“The bruise is barely there and the stitches are out.”
She inspected me closely then gave me a kiss on the cheek, hugging me tight.
“We need to know about Killian.”
Payton swapped in for her, hugging me tighter.
“Does he still have the hugest cock ever?”
I sat back down and prayed for patience.
“I’m with Killian. It’s been a thing for a long time,” I said, ignoring Payton’s cock comment.
“You hated each other. Or at least, you hated him. He just seemed to tolerate you. And then we hear you were a thing at college and you broke his heart,” Ava said. “So when are you moving in with him?”
“For the love of sheep,” I said, glaring at her. “I’m not. Not yet. How’s mum been with working?”
“Nice attempt at sidestepping the conversation,” Payton said. “We like Killian. Out of all the bad dates and half-assed relationships you’ve had, he’s the only one I think can actually manage you, given what a hard-ass you are.”
I shook my head. “You’re probably right, but we need some time to get used to things ourselves,” I said.
Ava nodded. “As do we. We’ve known him as Max’s best friend for forever, and now he has the potential to be our brother-in-law. I think Payton’s a little bit gutted that you got there first.”
I glared at Payts.
She laughed. “I suppose you did get him first,” she said. “Although he does have the most impressive cock I’ve ever seen. Does he know how to use it? Does it actually fit?”
“When did you see it?” I said, staring at her.
She shrugged. “Years ago. I think I was about fourteen. I have to admit, it scared the shit out of me thinking that all men were that big. Luckily for me, I was disappointed early on.”
“Please erase the image from your mind,” I said.
Payton shook her head. “Maybe when I’ve found one of my own that’s just as pretty.”
I looked to Vanessa for help. It was going to be a long lunch.
Katie and Marie were sitting at the conference table in the back-meeting room, looking over a document. My first observation was that Ireland had agreed with Katie: she looked less tired, the dark shadows under her eyes had gone and she looked as if she had put on a little weight. Marie was wearing what I suspected was a new suit, and I imagined she’d treated herself to a whole new wardrobe for working a couple of weeks. They both smiled as I walked in and took a chair the other side of Katie.
“Where are you up to?” I had a rough overview of what had happened since I’d been in Cornwall, but no detail.
“The pre-nup’s been declared void. However, Lacey’s lawyers are going to contest it and I think this is the way it’s going to go,” Marie said. “They take their sweet time getting back to me and anything they do they’ll find a reason to argue against to delay any divorce. In the meantime, all assets have been frozen.”
I looked a Katie who was still smiling. “It’s okay. I have my personal accounts and an income. I signed a couple of new contracts yesterday for modelling and being a spokesperson for a skin brand. And I’m selling my house. I can’t live there after they went in.”
I gave her a quick nod. “We need to expedite the divorce otherwise you could be looking at two years or longer. Have you thought any more about the evidence you have?” She had pictures showing the injuries Dean Lacey had inflicted on her; a black eye, bruised jaw, enough so that she hadn’t made it out of the house for two weeks. But it was circumstantial and Katie had said he’d deny it and as he had friends in high, untouchable places, she’d be dismissed as a fantasist. But there was more; she’d just never said what, to me at least.
“Dean Lacey isn’t the only one who knows people,” Marie said. “I’m going to get us in front of Diane Rivers who’s likely to be dismissive of all of his halting tactics and set some deadlines in place for Lacey’s lawyers to be done by.”
“I’m also getting involved with a domestic abuse charity,” Katie said. “I know it will cause gossip as to why, but I can use my fame,” she rolled her eyes, “to highlight the issue. And it will worry Dean.”
“We’re keeping the security?”
