Mr V (Mrs R & Mr V Book 2)

by Jessie Courts

  “Ah ha - that explains your obsessive need to have perfect hair.”

  Luc frowned. “My hair is not perfect.”

  “Are you telling me that tousled, bedhead mess of highlighted blond hair is all natural. That you don’t spend hours in front of the mirror making it look like it’s just that way naturally?” Olivia had a look of total disbelief on her face. “No way Britboy. I bet your hair product bills are higher than your phone bills.”

  Luc really did look confused now. “I’ve never done anything remotely like that to my hair – honest. Mum just cuts it and I use a bit of wax but that’s it. If I’m going somewhere posh I tend to run some Brylcreem through it to tame it a bit but invariably it just sticks up before long anyway. I can’t really be bothered with it to be honest.” He shrugged and then proceeded to wash said head of non-styled perfect hair while Olivia looked at him in astonishment. As much as she adored the boy she was convinced he had to be a little bit superficial about his super model looks, and was utterly taken aback that he was so nonchalant about it. That would explain why he mostly wore the same uniform of white t-shirts and jeans – he was genuinely not interested in how he looked. It was endearing and despite being under the hot spray her insides warmed to match her skin and Livvy fell head long in love with the blond and bruised Britboy in her shower.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Stop fidgeting!” Ryan hissed under his breath to Leo and George who were apparently quite incapable of sitting still for long periods of time. They were seated around a large oval dining table in a private room off the main hotel restaurant waiting for the others to join them for breakfast. The boys had been insistent that they get there promptly and so here he was dressed and ready and starving hungry waiting for the shit that Joe decided to dole out. “If you two don’t stop fucking moving I’m going to think of something really nasty to punish you with.”

  George looked at Leo and raised his eyebrows then smirked at Ryan. “That’s hardly going to work as a threat is it now old man? Not after last night. Ahem!” George faked a clearing of his throat and his boyfriend dissolved into a fit of giggles then he whispered something in Leo’s ear and nudged him towards Ryan.

  “When you say punish – how exactly; and will it involve restraints and paddles; whips or the like?” Leo’s angelic face bore such an innocent expression that Ryan had to take a deep breath to calm himself.

  “You two are a Goddamn nightmare.” He muttered under his breath and shook his head. He also discreetly palmed his crotch where his hard on was threatening to burst through the zip on his jeans and wondered how long he would have to remain at breakfast before he could haul his little terrors back upstairs and teach them a thing or two about discipline.

  Leo poked him in the shoulder and with an adorable blush to his cheeks spoke quietly. “Whatever that look is about – the answer is yes and we suggest you arrange a late checkout…very late.” Then he licked his lips and turned back to George while Ryan tried his very best not to come in his jeans like a teenager. He’d seriously under estimated George and Leo who he’d originally thought were a pair of clueless twinks; apparently they were anything but and Ryan was strangely excited to find himself drawn to them on a level he’d not experienced for a long time. Certainly George and Leo were not nearly as experienced or seasoned as the boys he would normally take to his bed, but they had heaps of enthusiasm and not a hint of bashfulness about them, and Ryan could tell they liked him.

  Pondering on the bleak reality that nothing at all was waiting for him back in New York, Ryan impulsively decided that he would talk to Joe about staying in London for a while and see if he could poach some office space at Gyles Bishop temporarily. Perhaps the gorgeous Angela could help out on that front; he’d had the pleasure of meeting her at the wedding yesterday and she had made a great impression on him. To be fair, anyone that could handle Joe Mason on a daily basis had to be on the ball and Angela was quick witted and sharp mouthed enough to fit the bill. And it helped that she was beautiful and cultured and much loved by her colleagues and clients alike according to what Rachel had told him. He was looking forward to making a friend of Angela and suddenly Ryan felt much lighter about the foreseeable future. Amazing what a thoroughly debauched night of fucking could do to a person’s outlook on life!

  “Someone’s looking smug!” Olivia plonked herself down next to Ryan and nudged his shoulder with her own. “I don’t want to know why by the way.”

  Ryan laughed and reached over to hug and kiss his Goddaughter. “I’m so not telling you dear. But you look a little freshly fucked yourself!” Ryan leaned towards her and narrowed his eyes. “Are you hung-over?”

  Livvy nodded and groaned. “A bit. I really need coffee.” Luc in the meantime was gingerly lowering his tall frame on to the chair next to her, his face a mask of pain until his butt hit the seat. “You ok?” Olivia reached for his hand and laced their fingers and Luc smiled at her. She was nervous to see Joe that was clear but was putting on a brave face.

  “I’m a bit sore but nothing I can’t handle. I’m in dire need of coffee – after that I’m sure I’ll be much better.” Olivia agreed with him and called for the waitress to order their drinks requesting some ibuprofen for Luc at the same time. At that moment the twins appeared and Luc’s breath hitched as he felt himself flush in anticipation of their reaction, but he needn’t have worried. Both girls wafted over to him and kissed him and fussed over him until they were reassured he was ok. Jess whispered in his ear that they needed to talk but not to worry they still loved him to bits and he was enormously relieved. He only hoped everyone else was as forgiving.

  After they said their helloes to Olivia the twins parked themselves next to their friends George and Leo. And much whispering and chortling ensued. Ryan shifted awkwardly in his seat hating to be the object of such frank and unrelenting discussion and Olivia giggled at his discomfort. He shot her a warning look and she snorted.

  “What’s funny?” Ethan took his place beside Luc. He followed his sister’s gaze to Ryan who had clearly had an exhausting night. “Never mind” he tutted dismissively and turned his attention to Luc. “Listen man, just ‘cos my Dad is mad at you I don’t want you to think that I am too. If my sister is happy then I’m happy. Just don’t make her UNhappy ok?” Ethan threw Luc a wry grin and patted him on the back and Luc nodded swallowing hard. He’d instantly pegged Ethan as a Joe mini-me but there really was nothing mini about the boy and Luc was not about to upset a younger, fitter version of his nemesis that was for sure. “Good then. Where’s the food?”

  Olivia tutted. “We have to wait for the wedding couple obviously.”

  Karen and Rory sauntered in and the noise levels in the room rose by several decibels and stayed there for ten very long minutes until Rachel and Joe arrived rendering instant and complete silence around the table.

  “Well this is awkward.” Rachel tried to make a joke but still no one spoke. Apparently the cutlery and napkins were of greater interest. “So let’s just get the white elephant out of the room shall we.” Her tone took on that of her courtroom voice and everyone snapped to attention and looked her way. “My husband has something he’d like to say, don’t you Joe?”

  All eyes turned to the man standing by her side. He was tall and elegant, gruff and imposing and oozing self-confidence as usual. Even in a pair of well worn jeans and a simple grey shirt Joe looked like he owned the world and Luc sighed hoping to hell that Rachel had wielded some influence in getting him to come around.

  Joe surveyed the room with a pained expression on his face and shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “I owe you all an apology for my behaviour yesterday. I’m deeply ashamed of my lack of restraint and I am sorry for the spectacle I created. You all know me to be arrogant at the best of times…” He paused to allow the murmurs and mutterings around the table to cease. “But yesterday I surpassed myself and let my ego get the better of me. I‘m lucky that my wife saw fit to enlighten me on the wider ramific
ations of my actions and I can assure you that I have taken on board her rather pointed remarks and will never purposefully put you all through something like that again. Now, we want you to relax and enjoy your breakfast so that I can whisk my beautiful bride away on our honeymoon knowing you have all been adequately fed and watered.” Joe flashed them all a mega watt smile and guided Rachel to the two last empty seats in-between Karen and Rory and the twins.

  Olivia sat frozen rigid in her seat with a look of incredulous disbelief on her face. If she was mad at her father before, following his rather generic apology she was now furious. Luc glanced at her equally disappointed at Joe not mentioning him personally, and he knew instantly she was going to blow. “Olivia.” It was a quiet warning and he squeezed her hand tightly for emphasis. “Now is not the time baby.” Luc lifted his sad baby blues to look at his girlfriend. Her pale grey eyes, so much like Joe’s, sparkled with fury and Luc knew his warning would go unheeded.

  “Oh now is exactly the time Britboy.” She stood abruptly and the table shook at the movement. “How dare you?” Olivia screeched at her father and the table fell silent once again. “Who the hell do you think you are? What about Luc?” She threw her hands in the air. Joe looked up at her and wiped his mouth with his napkin, which he then carefully folded and placed by the side of his plate.

  “Ethan, I suggest you control your sister before she says something she truly regrets in front of all my guests.” Ethan stood to try and coax Olivia to sit back down again but she shrugged him off.

  “Sit down baby brother. Don’t get in the middle of this I’m telling you.” Ethan sat and Joe raised an eyebrow at him but the boy merely shrugged and returned to his breakfast. “Dad. I’d like to know why you have blatantly ignored Luc when it’s him you should be apologising to most of all. He can barely move this morning.”

  “Olivia – enough!” Luc’s voice had turned hard and he tugged at her hand.

  “No Luc – it’s not fair. Mighty Joe indeed…” she sneered in Joe’s direction. “Just can’t handle sloppy seconds eh Dad?” Every single person in the room gasped and both Luc and Joe stood up together.

  “Olivia Montgomery – that was out of line and I would ask you to please take that back right now.”

  Olivia slowly turned her head to look at Luc with an expression of hurt and disbelief marring her beautiful features. Luc looked fiercely insulted and shook his head. “I won’t have you talking about Rachel like that. Not you and not anyone. This is not about her. If Joe feels like he needs time before speaking with me then I have to respect that. I’m sure he has his reasons. Please baby, just calm down.”

  Luc held on to Olivia’s shoulders and was pained to see her face crumble and tears pool in her eyes. She pushed him away with a sob and ran out of the room. Luc turned to follow her when an almighty pain ripped through his upper body and he stumbled clutching at his chest. Ryan reacted quickly and caught him before he fell to the ground and gently lowered him back into his chair.

  “Luc! Oh my God - he needs to see a doctor!” Jess was cradling her best friend’s head in her hands as she stood behind him clearly distressed. “George go and find out from hotel reception if there is one on site – hurry!” George nodded and sped off to do as he was told with Leo hot on his heels and Ryan couldn’t help admire the view of their tight little butts racing out the room even in the midst of all the drama.

  “Jesus I’ve had enough of all this shit!” Joe banged his fist on the table and everyone jumped and then he started barking out orders no one dare defy. “Everybody out now! Ryan you stay. Rach can I ask you to check on Olivia but don’t let her back in here.” He turned to the rest of his guests. “I’ll take care of this and when we get back off honeymoon we’ll host a little party to make up for today I promise.” Then he ushered them all out of the room and shut the door. Luc was keening softly only half conscious at this point and Ryan was supporting him upright rubbing his back. Joe came right around to Luc’s chair and squatted in front of him. “How bad is it?”

  “Bad. Hurts. Can’t breathe. Sorry.” Luc rasped out the words trying to be brave but his chest felt like it was in a burning vice.

  Joe shook his head and patted him on the knee. “No need to be sorry. I’d guess you’ve got a fractured rib and if I’m right it’s pressing against one of your lungs.”

  Ryan raised his eyebrows at Joe. “Since when did you become a doctor?”

  “Been there myself a couple of years ago after a boxing match. Hurts like a motherfucker.” Joe pursed his lips together. “We need to get you to a hospital.” Joe took his phone out of his jeans and dialled 999 explaining carefully what the issue was and was informed that the ambulance was on its way which was somewhat of a relief considering Luc had turned a sickly shade of grey and was panting to open his airways.

  “Fuck he’s gone bad so quickly Joe – did they say how long they’d be.” Ryan rubbed his hand over his face as Joe shook his head looking decidedly worried.

  “Can you hear me Luc?” Luc nodded wide-eyed and Joe continued. “Just because I’m taking care of you now doesn’t mean we’re not talking about the whole Rachel/Olivia thing.”

  “For fuck’s sake –your timing stinks Joe. Seriously…” Ryan sounded really angry and Joe cocked his head at him. “You’re an idiot.” Ryan kicked Joe hard who promptly lost balance and ended on his arse on the floor. Luc managed a strangled sound that was probably a laugh as Joe jumped back on his feet and brushed himself off. “Be nice or fuck off man. I’ve just about had it with you.” Ryan snapped at his friend then shifted position so he could hold on to Luc a little better but the movement made the boy yelp and Joe and Ryan looked on helplessly as Luc’s baby blues rolled back and he passed out.

  “Shit!” they both exclaimed in shock.

  Joe ran a hand through his hair anxiously. “Fuck – he’s bad – Olivia and Rachel will kill me if anything happens to him. Help me lay him down flat Ry.” Joe took hold of Luc’s long legs while Ryan held him under the arms and they gently set him on the carpeted floor. “Shit – is he still breathing?” For the first time ever in living memory, Ryan heard real fear in Joe’s voice and he watched as the big man leaned down placing his ear next to Luc’s face. “Fuck! Fuck! He’s not breathing Ry. Fuck – where’s that fucking ambulance. Fuck!”

  “Joe! Do something man.” Ryan shouted in panic as Luc’s lips turned a grim shade of blue and the boy faded impossibly paler.

  Joe looked at Ryan and steeled himself then he took Luc’s stubbled chin in his hand and propped his head up, pulled his mouth open and checked his airways were clear then without thinking about it at all Joe Mason placed his mouth over Luc Vincent’s and breathed into him hard over and over. He dared not try any CPR for fear of damaging the boy’s ribs and lungs irreparably and just kept going with the kiss of life. Finally, Luc gave a weak sputter and heaved in a raspy breath. His eyes opened and although glassy and dull his gaze never wavered from Joe’s face.

  A moment of panic threatened to overwhelm Luc but Joe held his head firm, which seemed to keep him calm leaving him focussing only on filling his lungs. Every breath hurt but the pain just reminded him he was alive and Luc continued to draw strength from the man who’d brought him back to life until the room erupted in a cacophony of noise and activity and paramedics. An oxygen mask went over his face and strong hands hauled him onto a gurney and all the while Joe held his hand keeping the panic at bay. Then suddenly Olivia was there and he was in an ambulance and his chest felt tight again and the pain grew worse and the world went black.

  Joe sank to the floor utterly exhausted and slumped wearily against the wall. He rested his head against the cool brickwork and closed his eyes. He felt Ryan squeeze his shoulder then heard him leave and shut the door behind him. Joe made a strangled sound of frustration then jolted as a warm body slid on to his lap and wrapped their arms around him. He calmed immediately as he inhaled Rachel’s familiar scent and allowed her to fuss over him. It felt good t
o be able to lean on someone figuratively speaking – he’d never really had that before.

  “I’ve hurt him real bad Rach.” Rachel sighed. No words would help. The utter despair in Joe’s tone told her all she needed to know; the man was devastated with himself and nothing she could say would alleviate his anguish and in all honesty she thought perhaps he deserved it a little bit. Joe had gotten away with his power trip for so long because no one had cared enough to confront him on it. Now he had her, his daughter and most of the people he called friends upset by his despicable behaviour to the extent that he may never regain their trust or respect. What could Rachel do but stand by and be there for her husband while he figured out what he needed from her? Joe Mason was a complex man and Rachel was realising she’d only just seen the tip of the iceberg that made up his personality, but she couldn’t help trust her instincts and they told her Joe would see everything right in the end. She had that much faith in him.

  They sat there cuddling quietly for a while gathering their thoughts until finally Joe broke the silence. “If it takes a lifetime Rach, I’m going to make this right.” Rachel nodded at Joe’s words. “Oh that’s my phone.” Joe’s pocket buzzed and he checked his messages. “It’s a text from Olivia. Luc’s fine. He’s breathing on his own and resting. He has a fractured rib which was weighing heavily on his lungs.” Joe nodded and told Rachel. “Just as I suspected.” His big shoulders slumped in relief as he went back to reading the text. “No visitors until tomorrow but he should be ok to come home in a day or two.”

  Rachel exhaled loudly. “I’m going to postpone our flights Joe. I don’t want to go away until we know Luc is going to pull through. Do you mind?” Rachel ran her fingers through his beard and peppered little kisses all over his face. He shook his head wearily. “Come on - time to go home Bossman.”

  Rachel stood up and grabbed Joe’s hand hauling him to his feet. He was clearly emotionally wrung out and she needed to get him to familiar surroundings where she could pamper him a bit and get him back onto solid ground. Poor Joe; he had gone from such a dull life to one filled with pandemonium and drama since he’d met her, but Rachel didn’t feel guilty; he’d needed the wake up call to re-join the human race and boy did he get one.