"Yes, sorry, James, went down the wrong pipe." Duncan is smirking next to me.
Treating me right? Well, I could say after multiple orgasms, of course, he's treating me okay. However, I just smile at James and ignore the question.
"Did I hear my Maya girl?" I turn to see Uncle Marcus walking down the stairs.
I've only talked to him one other time since his call in October. I'm not sure, but something has changed between us. I'm more uncomfortable around him than I’ve ever been. He also keeps pressing me with questions.
"Uncle Marcus, you made it here. When did you get in?" I walk over and give him a kiss on the cheek. He holds me tightly to him and I feel uncomfortable. His hands stroke my back. He finally pulls away but still holds my hand.
"Yesterday morning. How was your flight this morning?"
"It was good." I hope he wasn't on a flight near my time, if so the secret would be out. Uncle Marcus is worse than an old lady about gossip. We walk back to Duncan and James; I pull myhand from his. I sit next to Duncan again with Marcus sitting in a chair next to me. He's looking at Duncan and me.
"So, how did your date with Lawrence go?"
"Date?" Duncan growls. James looks at us with a twinkle in his eye.
"Uncle Marcus, I just had dinner with him once, while he was in DC. It wasn't a date. For one, I'm not interested and for two, I can't." I look at Duncan, trying to calm him down. I know he has a bit of a jealous streak, that's why I didn't tell him about dinner. Plus, it was just dinner, there's no way Lawrence is my type. After Duncan, no man but him is for me. Wait? Did I just think that? Yes, only Duncan. The comfort of that thought soothes me.
"Why? I want you officially a part of this family. I invited Lawrence to the New Year's Eve party." I groan and hear Duncan growl again. He's going to give us away.
"Who's Lawrence?" he asks angrily.
Again, I look at James, and he's smirking and winks at me, he knows. The jig is up.
"He's my nephew. Why do you ask?" Marcus answers rather snootily. His fingers are laced in front of his face like he is contemplating something huge.
"Well, for your information, Uncle Marcus, Maya is my date for the New Year's Eve party," he states.
I'm dumbstruck. How could he say it just like that?
"Really?" Ana says from the entry.
James has a very pleased look on his face, while Marcus looks like he swallowed nails. I don't know what to say.
"Ana, I've missed you so much." I walk over to her and give her a big hug. She's lost weight and her eyes appear sunk in.She's not her vibrant self, and as I pull away and see Jonathon over her shoulder, I know why. I want to hurt him. I want to cut off his balls. How dare he hurt her? I actually want to kill him. He's doing something to my Ana. Duncan walks up behind me and puts his arm around my waist.
"Yes, Sis, she took pity on this English wanker and is going to the New Year's Eve party as my date. Plus, we're having dinner together tonight."
"Really, I'm so happy for you both." Her smile is so bright and all I want to do is keep that smile on her face. Jonathon walks up behind her and puts his hand on her shoulder. She flinches at the contact, and the light in her eyes disappears. That's it.
"Ana, darling, come with me." I lead her out of the library, up the stairs, and toward her old bedroom.
"Maya, don't run off with my wife. I've heard you can attack people with little provocation." The whole room gasps. I stop on the stairs and turn.
"If you're referring to your asshole best man, whatever his name is, he deserved what he got. He's lucky I was unarmed."
"Oh yes, there's that. I've also heard you and Duncan have issues with public displays of affection."
"That's enough! What Maya and I do is our business and not yours or your fucktard friends!" Duncan yells. Someone saw us together. When?
"Language, son, please, there are ladies present. Jonathon, you need to watch what you're saying. Maya is a part of this family. If she and Duncan are in a relationship, I'm pleased for them. They're both grown adults and have shared interests." Ana looks at me.
"Maya, what's he talking about?" She looks lost.
"Ana, please come on, I'll explain." I direct her to continue upstairs.
"Alright." Her voice is quiet and sounds so childlike. What's this man done to my vibrant friend?
