CHAPTER 4
Matt twirled the tumbler between his fingers while nodding at whatever his father’s personal solicitor said.
He was distracted, barely paying attention to the conversations being held around him.
It was the eve of the New Year and his parents always threw an extravagant bash.
There were over 100 guests and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter was beginning to grate on his nerves.
Madison had disappeared with the twins over half an hour ago.
The sheer relief on her face when Trouble had suggested they go upstairs was startling.
He knew she didn’t want to come tonight, hell they’d argued about it, but he couldn’t very well not turn up.
As his fiancée, she too was expected.
A frustrated sigh left his lips before he could stop it and he earned himself a few glances from the people around him.
“So have you set a date for your wedding, Matt? I’m sure you’re looking forward to your bachelor’s party.” Some nosy fool asked.
Matt smiled politely.
It was Lincoln, one of their junior executives.
The young man was nice enough, but Matt had enough sycophants hanging around him and Lincoln had been trying his hardest for the past year to establish a relationship with him outside of work.
“Madison and I haven’t yet decided.” Matt replied before excusing himself from the group on the pretence of seeking out his father.
He sauntered through the guests, stopping ever so often to share a quick word when needed.
“Matt!” Nathan was gesturing wildly to him.
Matt changed direction and headed over to where Adam and Nathan stood by the ostentatious ice sculpture his parents had commissioned for tonight’s party.
The bloody thing was spouting champagne.
At least it was quiet here.
His poppet had taken one look at it before rolling her eyes and fidgeting with the diamond necklace he had gifted her with for Christmas.
Things had been strained between them ever since his return from Russia a couple of days ago.
The only time she gave the impression of calm was when they made love, so he had done what any man in his position would do and that was to keep her in his bed for as long as possible.
A tiny smile flickered over his lips as he remembered her drowsy pleas over lunch earlier when he pulled her into his lap and proceeded to undress her at the table.
“Enjoying yourself, Nathan?” Matt drawled on noticing his friend’s rosy cheeks and slightly dilated eyes.
“Indubitably.” Nathan grinned and thumped him good-naturedly on the back as he waved his empty champagne glass with his other hand.
“Adam was just telling me Madi has fallen under his spell and it won’t be long before she trades you in for him.”
Matt glared at his smirking older brother.
“Adam, you’ve always been a fantasist.”
“Oh come off it. You haven’t smiled all night.” Adam said dryly.
“You usually enjoy these shindigs of our parents.”
“Where is Madi?” Nathan asked, swapping his empty flute for a full one as soon as the waiter glided by.
“Around here somewhere with the twins,” Matt replied coolly.
“Where’s Bella?”
“I feel left out.” Adam mocked.
“She’s somewhere about, discussing the wedding with whoever cares to listen. I say, I can’t wait for it to all be over and done with. Her mother and mine are constantly on at me about input. What input? I’ll be there on the day. What more do they want from me? I hope you’ve already started working on your best man speech, Matt.”
“He’s had quite a bit.” Adam warned Matt with a rueful grin.
“I have not.” Nathan stated sourly.
“I need a lot more actually. Two months and I’ll be off the market. Nathan Walthamstow, married.”
Matt stifled a laugh at his friend’s ‘woe is me’ countenance.
“You’ve not been on the market for years, you tosser. What’s wrong with you? You love Bella and you’re damned lucky she’s put up with you for all these years.”
Nathan suddenly beamed at them, nodding vigorously.
“I am a lucky bastard.”
Matt shook his head, amused at Nathan’s behaviour.
He’d obviously had his fair share of alcohol tonight.
“What about you?” Nathan asked abruptly.
“When are you going to tie the knot with your little slice of chocolate?”
Matt leaned back, eyeing Nathan in bemusement as his friend nudged Adam with his elbow.
“I found her for him you know.” Nathan stated proudly.
“Did he tell you that? Of course, he assured me he only wanted to shag her,” Nathan laughed and downed his champagne in one.
Matt raised one eyebrow and exchanged a look with Adam.
It was becoming quite clear Nathan was drunk.
Adam shrugged in his tuxedo, giving Matt a ‘what do you want me to do’ sort of look.
“I would shag her,” Nathan said as he blinked slowly.
“An obscene amount of times and in various positions with some sort of syrup involved. Have you seen her arse?”
“Nathan.” Matt said coolly.
“You need stop now.”
“Oh, don’t be such a wet blanket, Matt.” he joked, tugging repeatedly at his bow tie.
“You’ve got to admit she’s-”
Matt cut him off at once.
“Nathan. Stop.”
Nathan seem to realize what he was saying and he shot Matt an apologetic stare.
“Bugger. I didn’t mean-”
“It’s done.” Matt tried not to clench his jaw.
This was his closest friend who was inebriated and speaking out of turn.
“Don’t ever let it happen again, otherwise we’ll be having a different sort of conversation.” Matt didn’t need to expound on the details, it would be a very painful ‘conversation’ for his friend; they both knew and understood this.
Nathan nodded his head quickly, wearing a dazed expression.
“Of course, you know I didn’t truly mean - I don’t know what I’m saying and I’ve had too much to drink.”
“Yes, you have.” Adam agreed, warily watching Matt.
He knew Matt was annoyed.
“It’s this blasted wedding,” Nathan grumbled.
“I’m going to be a failure as a husband, no doubt. My sweet Bella will eventually divorce me and take half of everything I own and run off with some young buffoon named Philippe. I can see it happening as we speak.”
Matt burst out into reluctant laughter, he was still slightly miffed over Nathan’s drunken teasing where it concerned Madi.
Adam quickly followed.
“You arses.” Nathan glared at them both or tried to, it was more a drunken leer than a scowl.
“I’m voicing my worries and all you two can do is laugh?”
“I’m sorry, but that has to be one of the most amusing things I’ve heard all night.” Adam gasped between his guffaws.
“Philippe? Oh, you always were a strange one, Nathan.”
“It’s in no way, shape, or form, funny.” Nathan fumed.
“I work all the time, travel all the time. We barely see each other. Dad is dropping not so subtle hints about me taking over at his company. I bloody despise the thought of it. And Mum, oh don’t get me started. Being an only child has its disadvantages you know. You tossers won’t know anything about that.”
“Shall we get him home?” Adam asked Matt.
“Both he and Bella are staying at my Surrey estate tonight.” Matt replied, checking his watch.
“It’s quarter to midnight. Let’s keep him away from the alcohol and my driver will take us home in about an hour. Are you staying here tonight?”
“Yes,” Adam frowned.
“I am trying to be the dutiful son once more. Hannah and the girls are staying also.”
“Such a shame Stuart’s on call at the hospital tonight,” Matt mused as he thought about his brother-in-law.
Nathan mumbled something incoherently in the background.
“Yes, he would have enjoyed tonight.” Adam said, watching the crowds of people milling about their family home.
“I said Bella’s pregnant.” Nathan said forcefully and both brothers returned their shocked attention to the blonde man.
“What?” Adam got the question out first.
Matt could only stare in disbelief at Nathan who was looking decidedly worried.
“We found out yesterday. I - she hadn’t been feeling all too well the past few weeks. She’s, bloody hell, she’s pregnant and I’m absolutely terrified of what this means. I have no idea how to be a father.”
The three men fell silent, all regarding each other uncertainly.
“Ah, congratulations.” Matt offered.
“I need a bloody drink.” Nathan grumbled.
“The little bastard hasn’t been born as yet and he’s already driving me to drink. Humph. With my luck it will probably be a girl, just as beautiful as her mother and then what? Sixteen years later, boys. Sniffing around my daughter. I’ll be far too old to kick their horny arses. I’ll probably need to hire someone to do so for me. Fucking bollocks.” He looked helplessly at Matt.
“I’m going to be a father.”
Matt pulled him into a brotherly hug, a genuine smile split his face.
“I’m so pleased for you both, Nathan. Chin up, this is great news. A wedding and a baby. This is definitely going to be a good year for you.”
Adam rubbed his chin pensively.
“This isn’t going to affect your work though, is it? I can’t afford to have you being distracted with nappies and formulae. You do know we’re hoping to get those Scottish oil contracts this year. After all that drama with the yes/no vote in September last year we need to -”
“Adam.” Matt cut him off with a pointed look as Nathan paled considerably.
“Ah, yes, congratulations. Jolly good news.” Adam said in an overly bright voice.
“I need a drink.” Nathan mumbled.
He pulled away from Matt’s embrace and started wandering off, all the while muttering under his breath.
“I’ll go,” Adam sighed.
“It’s like having another tiresome sibling.”
“Thanks.” Matt meant it.
“I need to find Madi.”
He watched Adam hurry after Nathan and a little chuckle escaped him.
Bloody hell.
Nathan, a father?
Will wonders never cease?
Matt managed to make his way to the lifts without being dragged into someone else’s conversation.
As he rode to the 2nd floor he thought about the look of absolute terror on Nathan’s face.
His friend had never seemed so uncertain, so insecure, as he had been in that moment.
The doors slid open and Matt hurried down the hallway to the girls’ room.
Outside the door he could hear their squeals of teenaged laughter.
He paused before knocking, once again remembering the quarrel he and Madi had an hour before leaving.
I don’t want to go, Matt!
Why can’t you go by yourself?
Dante and the guys are expecting me to show up tonight.
This is such bullshit.
Dante’s leaving on the second.
I won’t get to see him before he leaves if I have to go to this stupid party because we’ll be staying at your place in Surrey.
I don’t want to go.
Matt had been cold to her, frigid actually.
Her face when he stated in no uncertain terms that as his fiancée she would be expected to attend and she was bloody well going…
her face had fallen and she had looked at him with a plea in her eyes which he ignored.
It didn’t help that yesterday she had returned from her studio with red, puffy eyes.
When he asked her about it, all she would say was that she had called home.
Whatever happened had left her distraught.
During their argument she had yelled at his retreating back that he was being cruel.
Forcing her to watch him enjoying the company of his family while she was so at odds with hers.
He had slammed the door on her then, completely fed up with the whole mess.
Half an hour later she was dressed and waiting silently for him in the front room as she stared gloomily at the Christmas tree.
He wished he could turn back the clock to their lunch together.
Lunch had been good, filled with her touch on his skin as he had his way with her on the dining room table.
Matt sighed and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s your Uncle. Open the door, Terror.” Matt ordered.
Seconds later he heard a click and the door swung open to reveal his niece, Nikki.
Matt’s gaze went behind her.
Natty and Madi were sat on one of the beds peering at something on the laptop.
“It’s almost midnight,” Matt advised, nudging Nikki back so he could enter the room.
“Aren’t you girls coming down?”
Madi had yet to look at him.
“God no, Uncle Matt,” Natty exclaimed.
“Everyone’s so old and I definitely don’t want any of Nana’s or Granddad’s drunk friends trying to snog me when the clock strikes twelve.”
Matt narrowed his eyes at his seventeen year old niece.
“Behave and I want you both downstairs. Go.”
Natty groaned and Matt cleared his throat loudly.
Cheeky little thing.
He arched an eyebrow at her.
Nikki was already heading out the door.
She never needed telling twice, such a good girl, unlike her twin sister.
“Natalia.” he warned.
“Alright. Alright. Bloody hell, Uncle Matt, I thought you were cool.” Natty griped.
“Watch your language, young lady.” Matt said sharply.
“Now go.”
She scampered off the bed and hurried out the room, glancing anxiously at him.
Very rarely did he reprimand them and she was obviously aware she crossed the line.
“Sorry, Uncle Matt,” she murmured as she brushed past him in her gown.
Matt frowned again.
Both girls wore white strapless gowns.
He didn’t like it, made them look much older than they were.
Matt would speak to Hannah about it at some point.
It seemed Nathan’s worry about raising a daughter was rubbing off on Matt concerning his nieces.
“Aren’t you going to look at me, poppet?” Matt asked as he closed the door, shutting them in the bedroom.
“Sometimes you use that same tone on me,” she said, head still bent over the laptop.
“Like I’m the child and you’re the adult.”
Matt sighed.
He didn’t want to start the New Year on bad terms with his poppet.
“I know, sweetheart,” He deliberately used that term of endearment, knowing how much she liked it.
“And I’m sorry.”
She raised her head then, her temporarily straightened hair slid around her upper arms and bare shoulders.
She wore a strapless gown also.
It was a black and white affair tonight, but Madi wore a deep red dress that did magical things to her skin tone.
The dress she chose was her show of defiance at being forced to come.
Matt remembered the immediate southerly rush of blood he’d felt when he saw her in it for the first time.
The planned request for her to change into something in line with the dress code had died on his lips.
He’d been struck speechless at the sight of her, unable to do anything more than try to maintain his breathing at a healthy level.
She was so beautiful, his dark beauty, and she was smiling at him.
It was barely noticeable but he saw it.
Matt made his way over to the bed and held a hand out to her.
“Let’s not fight, poppet,” he cajoled when she took his hand and he helped her off the bed and into his waiting arms.
She rested her head against his chest and inhaled deeply before stepping away.
Matt watched as she wandered over to the desk and picked up her purse.
“I had a chat with your mom in your old room before the girls dragged me in here,” she said quietly.
“I wondered where you two had disappeared to,” Matt kept his tone quite light.
“I see you survived the encounter.”
Madi opened her purse and pulled out some folded papers.
She walked back to where he stood and held it out.
“Here.”
“What is this?” he asked with a grin.
“A prenuptial agreement your mom wants me to sign.” she explained without any emotion.
“Pardon?” Matt unfolded the papers, eyes scanning the words quickly.
He looked at her in utter disbelief.
“I am going to-”
“It’s ok, Matt,” she murmured with a shrug.
“I would have signed it when she gave it to me but I wanted to talk to you first. You’re a bit anal when it comes to secrets and you’ll just read my mind anyway.”
She laughed, it sounded forced, and swept her hair back.
Matt sorely missed her natural curls, but she had giving him a threatening look when he joked about banning her from ever changing it.
Muttering about black women and their hair under her breath.
“I think it’s a good idea, Matt. Think about it. Once I sign them, maybe your parents will come around. They’ll see that I’m not after your money.” She fiddled with her hands and Matt immediately noticed her scratching her pinkie.
“Madison,” he began in a stern voice but she held a hand up.
“Please listen to me, Matt. If I do this it will prove to them that I love you, just you.”
“Do you not see what you’re doing right now, poppet?” he asked quietly.
She was confused by his question, her brown eyes squinted in puzzlement.
“What do you mean by that?”
Matt ran a hand through his hair before giving her the full weight of his eyes.
“You want them to accept you, yes?”
“Of course.” she replied earnestly.
“And you’re willing to do anything to get that acceptance, aren’t you? Willing to put up with anything, just like you did with your own family. Well, I’m telling you now, I won’t allow it. You are not going to jump through hoops or play their games. Either my parents accept you or they don’t and I honestly don’t give a fuck whether or not they do!”
The level of vehemence in his voice startled her and her brown eyes wandered over his harsh features for a moment before she folded her arms.
Matt struggled to keep his gaze on her face and not the sudden resulting rise of her chest from that little action.
That dress on her was a bloody masterpiece.
“Do you believe I’m unable to make my own decisions?” she asked coolly.
“Do you think I’m incapable of assessing a situation and drawing my own conclusions from it?”
Matt fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt that peeked out from under his tuxedo jacket’s sleeves.
She raised her eyebrows at him in a challenging manner while he tried to figure out how best to phrase his words.
The last thing he wanted was another argument.
“Well?” she pressed.
“Do you?”
“I believe due to your past childhood you’re very vulnerable when it comes to this issue, poppet.” he replied with as much calmness he could muster.
She snorted and tilted her head arrogantly.
“I’m not some delicate English rose, Matt. I’m a grown woman. Yes, you’re older than me. Yes, you definitely have more experience with relationships than me; but I have my own mind and I am more than capable of using it.”
“Poppet,” Matt exhaled slowly, recognizing the signs of her growing anger and dreading the upcoming fight.
“She’s your mom,” Madi’s shoulders drooped in defeat.
“And as much as I would love to hate her actions, I simply can’t. She believes she needs to protect you, that’s her job, to protect her children. You can’t fault her for wanting to do so. She’s scared, I’m not what she’s used to and she doesn’t know how to deal with it…she’s probably just scared. Look, it is what it is and I don’t want you getting angry.”
Matt clenched the papers in his hand, casting a disgusted look at them.
They represented something he usually pushed to the back of his mind.
The vast difference in their respective financial worth.