Bad Decision: The Carter Brothers Read online

  I can tell he doesn’t want to talk which suits me fine. Heart to hearts aren’t really our thing. Maybe I’ll tell Summer and she can work it out.

  Sighing, I stand up and say wearily, “Come on, we’ve got stuff to do. I’m taking Summer on our first date tonight and I want to set up something special.”

  Charlie looks curious. “Like what?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know, maybe a meal out, a show, you know the sort of thing.”

  Charlie nods and then says in a gentler voice, “You’re good together.”

  Grabbing my jacket, I head for the door. “I know.”

  Then I head outside leaving my little brother with his bad mood for company. Nothing is going to drag me down today of all days because finally, I have something worth fighting for.

  29

  Summer

  Rose is good company. We head ‘up West’ as she calls it and hammer Joey’s credit card. She keeps me in fits of the giggles as she tells me stories about my father and ‘her boys’ as she affectionately refers to them.

  Over lunch at a posh café she fixes me with a hard look and says bluntly, “Do you love Max?”

  I smile softly and feel the happiness shine in my soul. “I know it’s hard to believe but yes, I do.”

  She shakes her head. “Why is it hard to believe? You can’t do better than him, or Charlie come to think of it.”

  Laughing, I tease her gently. “Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you?”

  Grinning, she pours me another glass of Prosecco. “You know, Summer, I hope for your sakes it’s the real deal. When I met Joey, I knew it the minute I laid eyes on him. So, you see, I understand only too well how love can strike. Only people who have experienced it will understand. Joey’s just worried for you because he’s seen how they operate. If men could be called slags, they would hold the trophy. It’s mainly Charlie but Max isn’t short of admirers either. It worries me but Joey always told me boys will be boys. Now it’s come back to bite him because nobody will be ever be good enough for his little girl, even the man he raised in his image. He knows what men are like and worries for you.”

  Shaking my head, I say lightly, “Was he like them when you met him?”

  She raises her eyes. “Probably worse. I worked for him keeping his books in check. I saw things that made my hair curl and yet something about him always made me see things from his side. He has this way about him that makes you love him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a mean son of a bitch but he’s my mean son of a bitch. I turn a blind eye to his work and he treats me like a princess. Joey the husband and father is a different machine to the businessman. I’m not interested in that man and if he comes calling, I show him the door. Keep your man in check my girl and lay down the rules from the start.”

  She laughs and raises her glass. “Although from what I’ve heard, you can look after yourself pretty well on your own. I’m guessing Max is probably afraid for his life right now.”

  Smiling sweetly, I raise my glass to hers. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  As soon as we get home, I head to my room to put away the clothes I bought. I treated myself to a new dress for tonight and some sexy underwear. A delicious thrill runs through me as I think about the evening ahead. I can’t wait to spend time with Max alone and wonder what he’s got in store.

  My phone buzzes and I see a text from Tracey. Feeling a little guilty that I haven’t checked on her today, I make the call.

  “Hi Summer, how are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good considering. How about you?”

  She sighs and says wearily, “Confused.”

  “About what?”

  She lowers her voice and says sadly, “Charlie came over last night to see if I was ok.”

  “That’s nice of him, what happened?”

  She sighs. “I’m not sure, really. He stayed for ages. It was a bit awkward because mum was on edge and made us keep the door to the living room open while we watched a movie.”

  “You watched a movie!”

  I can’t keep the surprise from my voice and she laughs. “I know, weird, huh? Anyway, I’m not sure why he came, really. It’s as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.”

  Sitting down, I tease, “Did he kiss you?”

  She giggles adorably, “He may have done a few times. Like I said, it was awkward as fuck because mum kept on bringing tea in and asking if we were ok.”

  I giggle with her. “That’s so sweet.”

  She sighs heavily. “What’s he playing at, Summer? One minute he seems to like me and the next he’s so cold. I’m not sure where I stand with him.”

  “Where do you want to stand?”

  She laughs. “I don’t want to stand with him, I want to lie down with him. The trouble is, if I do take this further, if that’s where all this is heading, what then? I mean, I’ve heard the rumors, he’s a player and I don’t want to be played. Should I hold him away and just be his friend, or do I sleep with him and become yesterday’s news?”

  I’m not sure what to say, so just say reassuringly, “I’ll see what I can find out. Maybe he likes you more than he’s letting on. He’s in a foul mood today, so something’s up. Have you heard from him today?”

  She sighs. “He texted me earlier and asked if I fancy grabbing a bite to eat later. He could pick me up at 7 if I did.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Yes - of course. I may be confused but I’m not delirious. The problem is, if he throws that cheeky grin my way one more time, I’m likely to break my own rules. Tell me not to go and it’s a bad idea. Save me from myself because quite frankly, I’m a goner.”

  Laughing, I say softly, “Go and have fun and let the evening play out naturally. Just remember what he’s like and don’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Oh, and Tracey, I want a full report in the morning.”

  “Ditto, babe. Have fun yourself and we’ll compare notes tomorrow.”

  It’s only when she hangs up, I remember I never told her about Max. I’m guessing Charlie filled her in, and it makes me smile thinking about him sitting with her last night when he was so determined to go out and have fun. Maybe he does like her? I’m not sure how I feel about that and can understand now where my father’s coming from. I only want the best for her and I’m not so sure that’s Charlie.

  30

  Maxwell

  I feel strangely nervous as I prepare for my first date with Summer. Since she arrived, she hit the eye of a storm and her feet haven’t touched the ground. Tonight, is all about her. Showing her London and making her feel at home. I want her to love it here. She needs to want to stay and set up home with me and not yearn for the sunshine of California. I’m not deluded enough to think she will stay here just because of me. When the excitement wears off at finding her family, she may long for the place she was raised. She must have a life there and mine is here. Would I turn my back on all this for her?

  It’s a question I can’t answer. If Summer left, sure I’d follow but I know I’ll never escape this life. I’m in too deep and it’s impossible to start again. No, I need to convince Summer to stay. To make her feel as if there’s nothing but me in her life, which reminds me what a selfish bastard I am.

  Sighing, I head downstairs to wait for her. Tonight will be special; it’s our first date and I want to show her how much I care.

  Joey and mum are arguing as usual in the kitchen and don’t stop when I make an appearance.

  “I told you no, Rose.”

  “What do you mean, no? We haven’t had a holiday in months and I want to have a break, god knows I need it looking after you lot all day.”

  Joey sighs, “There’s too much going on at the moment. Summer’s just arrived and there’s trouble to deal with. Now’s not a good time.”

  Mum folds her arms and tightens her lips which makes me smile. I know that look. If I know her, they’ll be packed and on a plane within the week.

  She looks across at me an
d frowns. “What, are you too old to give your old mum a kiss now?”

  Grinning, I head over and kiss her softly on the cheek. She ruffles my hair and smiles softly. “You’re looking handsome, babe. Summer’s a lucky girl.”

  Joey snorts and the look my mum gives him makes me laugh. “Have you got something to say, Joey?”

  Laughing, he heads over to her and pulls her close. “No, but I’ve got something to show you.”

  He kisses her softly on the lips and Charlie comes in and pretends to gag. “Please, it’s too much on an empty stomach.”

  Mum looks over and rolls her eyes. “What’s the matter, do you think only the young have sex these days?”

  We both say in horror, “Mum!!”

  She giggles and Joey laughs loudly just as Summer enters the room looking so hot, I feel the burn from here.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Joey smiles and heads across to kiss her on the cheek. “Nothing, just Rose being well… Rose.”

  He smiles proudly. “Look at you, I’m so proud of my young lady.”

  Mum smiles and nods in agreement. “You look lovely, dear. I hope Max is taking you somewhere nice and not those rough places he usually hangs out in.”

  Charlie grins, enjoying every minute of the spotlight being trained off him for once and says cheekily, “I heard he was taking her for a kebab and then to a strip club in Soho.”

  Mum just shakes her head and laughs and Joey looks at me sharply. “He had better be joking, Max.”

  Rolling my eyes, I say quickly, “I think that’s Charlie’s idea of the perfect date. No, Summer and I are going on a tour of London followed by dinner at the Savoy.”

  Charlie laughs, “Man you have got it bad.”

  Summer looks excited and I reach out and take her hand in mine, saying softly, “Let’s go and leave these crazy people to their evening.”

  Smiling shyly, Summer follows me out and Joey’s hard voice follows us out, “Look after my girl, Max.”

  Summer giggles as she sees the promise in my eyes as we head outside.

  Seeing London through Summer’s eyes makes it seem more exciting. I show her the usual places where the tourists go and the more secret ones, known to only a select few. I feel proud to walk with her by my side and can’t ever remember a time when I felt this free. Usually, any dates, for want of a better word, are spent at the club, finishing at my office inside some tart against the wall. Jess was the closest thing to a steady girl I ever had, and that was only because I was bored with whoring around. I never took Jess out and never asked her to stay the night. She was good for only two things, sex and keeping the others away.

  Now I know what I’ve been missing out on. Summer is good company and makes me laugh. I want to know everything about her and crave every bit of herself that she shares with me. Just walking and holding her hand is enough to make me the proudest man in London and I would do anything to bring a smile to her lips.

  Dinner at the Savoy does a good job and I have never seen her looking so happy. She positively glows and it’s mesmerizing. However, all I really want is to feel her naked body against mine. She is like a drug I need on a regular basis. You know, something along the lines of, take one of these four times a day and that still wouldn’t be enough.

  By the time dessert arrives, I’ve got the point I’m going cold turkey, so I ask the waiter for the bill and look at her with determination. “Fancy a nightcap at the flat?”

  The look in her eyes says it all as she smiles sexily. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Summer

  Tonight has been the most romantic night of my life. Max is everything I thought he was and more. He made me feel loved and cherished and there’s nothing more powerful than that. As soon as he asked me back to the apartment, I couldn’t get there quickly enough.

  The Honey Club is heaving as usual when we get inside. The line outside the door was longer than usual and I felt the curiosity of the customers standing waiting as we swept by.

  Max had hold of my hand and glared at anyone who looked our way. The Max the public sees is a very different person. His expression is hard and unforgiving. A smile rarely shows on his face and his eyes are always looking for danger and trouble. The staff at the club are wary of him, it’s in their eyes and the way they almost bow down as he passes.

  We head past the doors that lead to the dance floor and a man calls out as we make to move past them. “Mr. Carter, may I have a word?”

  Max looks at him angrily and I watch the man turn white before my eyes. “What is it, Anton?”

  “I’m sorry to disturb you but Mickey Fellows is in tonight and asked for you.”

  Max sighs heavily and looks at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, babe. We should go and have a drink with Mickey. He’s an old friend I haven’t seen for a while and it would be rude not to.”

  Shrugging off my disappointment, I nod. “That’s fine, we have all night.”

  He groans and pulls me close, lowering his lips to mine and kissing me so sexily I couldn’t care less about Mickey whatever his name is. Pulling back, he says roughly, “One drink.”

  Grabbing my hand tightly, we head through the doors and are once again caught up in the mad world of the Carters.

  I feel the jealousy mixed with curiosity follow every step I take. Max’s hand is holding mine tightly, claiming ownership and a possession that makes me weak with longing. I see the surprise in the eyes of the girls we pass. The whispers follow us as we climb the stairs to the VIP area.

  It is no different there. Conversations stop in mid-air as we pass. The women sit up a little straighter and lean forward, their smiles brighter and with obvious meaning. I feel the guys staring as if wondering why I’m so special. My breath is labored as I feel the weight of responsibility bearing down on me. Max’s girlfriend. Am I up to this? I’m not so sure. It’s as if we’re famous or something. It’s a lot to take in when you live in the shadows. I’ve never been that girl that draws the eye and walks with the popular crowd. At High School, I was always a nerd with few friends who never got the cool guy. I was happy about that, it wasn’t me. Now I see what it involves, and it’s a lot to get accustomed to.

  We reach a table that’s crowded with people, laughing and drinking bucket loads of champagne. The men look to be our age and the women the same. However, these women are made up to perfection. Their lips, chests and butts are too perfect to be natural. Their dresses are cut low and their teeth whitened that looks odd against their orange stained skin. Long talons spread around the stems of the glasses they hold and the malice in their eyes inform me I’m not about to be offered membership to their club.

  The look they give Max is a different one altogether. They look at him like the prize they want to win. The lust shines from their eyes as they rake in every perfect inch of him.

  Then there’s Mickey and my blood freezes as I see the cold eyes of a man who looks as if he has ice running through his veins. He looks hard, with a scar running from his cheek to the corner of his eye. He stares at me with a glint in his eye that makes me shiver and then turns to Max and nods. “Long time no see.”

  Max nods and reaches out and they shake hands. Mickey fixes the couple next to him with a hard look and says roughly, “Move.”

  The girl looks daggers at the guy as he pushes her out of the booth and says harshly, “Let’s go and get a drink.”

  I shiver as we take their positions and Mickey pours us a couple of glasses of champagne and says, “To old friends.”

  Max raises his and says with interest. “I heard you were released.”

  Mickey smiles in a sinister way. “Not before time. It was a hard stint and I’m not planning on going back.”

  I feel on edge as he talks. This is not a man I want to socialize with, yet it’s obvious they are friends. Is this what I can expect? Men like Mickey in my life.

  The woman next to him leans into him and claims her territory. She has a possessive hand on his leg and
hangs onto his every word. She has the hard look of a woman who’s seen it all and once again I shiver inside.

  Max says in a hard voice, “Do you have any news for me?”

  Mickey grins wickedly. “Only the good sort. Your latest deposits are having a particularly uncomfortable time. I’m pretty sure they are regretting their actions.”

  Max raises his eyes. “Who have we got?”

  “Harry and Jake. They’re running things there and one word from them and your friends’ cards are marked. If nothing else, it’s given them something to do. Life is pretty unexciting there these days, you know, regulations and all.”

  Max almost spits his drink out. “Since when did you bother with regulations?”

  Mickey nods. “I never have. But I’m out now so it doesn’t apply to me. Have you any news on the girl?”

  I hold my breath as they talk. I know their conversation relates to the men who took us and that poor girl, Melissa. I watch Max’s expression change and the devastation in his eyes makes my breath freeze. “She’s in a bad way. When she was found she didn’t have long. Her family have been told to prepare for the worst but she may pull through if she has any fight left in her.”

  The conversation fades into the background as I picture Melissa lying on that bed. Any life left in her was fragile and liable to extinguish at any moment. I saw that and will never forget the look on her face. She had given up already and I just hope she finds something deep inside that will pull her through.

  Max must sense I’m uncomfortable and says firmly, “It’s good to catch up, Mickey and I’m glad to see you back where you belong. Stop by anytime but I’m afraid I must leave.”

  Mickey makes my skin crawl as he undresses me with his eyes and leers. “Of course.”

  The other people at the table watch as we walk away and it strikes me how weird that whole set up was. It was as if they sat frozen while we were there and dared not speak or utter a sound. This is a crazy place to be and I’m not sure if I can ever fit in.