Easton

“And how did it feel to see him after all this time?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She pulled his card out of her pocket and handed it to Liam.

“Easton Long, and you finally saw him.”

“I did tell you before he was one of the Four Kings.” She didn’t know why she’d told Liam everything about her life. Maybe it was so he knew what he was getting into with her. She didn’t come without excess, and Easton belonged to another guy that was a lot of baggage. She had told Liam the truth from the word go.

“I know. I guess I always imagined him coming around before now.”

“He didn’t know I was pregnant. I also told you about that,” she said.

Liam still held the card.

She poured him a coffee and handed it to him.

Liam caught her wrist, pulling her close. “I was just surprised he wouldn’t come and try to look for you.”

“I’ve told you, what we shared at camp, it wasn’t a love match.”

“What was it?”

“I don’t know. Sex, I guess.”

Liam took her hand and kissed her knuckles. He did this often, and she always found it comforting.

“Tell me, is he cute?”

“I think he’s cute,” she said, giggling. This was one of the many reasons she adored Liam. Their relationship was purely platonic. She would be denying herself though if she wasn’t a little sad about that.

Not only was he sexy, but he was one of the kindest, most generous men she’d ever met, and above all else, he took care of the both of them.

He had also been thirty-four years old, and he’d needed her. She’d been hesitant to become his wife after only a couple of weeks of knowing him, but he’d given her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Not only would she have everything she had ever dreamed of, there would be love and security for her son. He’d provide him with everything he needed, a father figure, a friend, a confidant if she needed it. For Scarlett, he’d be the husband to provide so long as she offered her … female services, and not sex.

She and Liam had never had sex in all their five years of marriage.

Liam liked to play the field. He liked men and women, but he had an image to uphold. Their wedding had been sweet, set on a little beach. Liam always told her that privacy was key. With his history, he had to keep his life private. He’d not just come out of the world a thoroughbred businessman. From the age of eighteen, he’d gone into the army, and his career had kicked off, and he’d become one of the best damn soldiers, known for getting the job done. He’d advanced, becoming an agent for the country, to serve, protect, and to make sure people could walk the streets safely. He’d made a lot of enemies, and when he’d retired, he’d built this company, which had been handed to him as a reward, along with a new identity. His past life was one he kept a secret, and she had to play the role of his doting wife, to give his credentials a firm background. She didn’t know the full extent of his past, but she didn’t need to know. Liam controlled everyone and everything. He was one of the few businessmen in the world that didn’t flaunt his success.

Their marriage gave Liam the security he enjoyed. It meant he could come and go as he pleased. All she had to do, if she decided to have a relationship, was to be discreet. Nothing long-term, and no love matches. Liam also demanded he get to know the man or woman she decided to include in her life.

She hadn’t fallen for anyone. One relationship when Easton was really young had shaken her to the core. She had heard about violence within the home but had never seen or been part of it.

When her boyfriend had smacked her across the face, she had been shocked. When she wouldn’t have sex with him, he’d beaten her up so bad she had to go to the hospital. She had pressed charges, and not long after that, she’d met Liam.

In another life they might have been perfect for each other.

“Are you going to talk to him?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know if I should talk to him. We left things so … no, I’m not going to talk to him. I don’t owe him anything.”

“The man just found out he has a son. You think he’s not going to try and see him.”

“You can stop that, right?” she asked.

“There are a lot of things I can do. I’m a powerful man, and I can make sure Easton never comes near his son.” Liam frowned. “Let’s start calling them Senior and Junior. What made you think to call them the same name? This could get complicated.”