*****
Marcus made his way to The Island later that evening, still confused by his father’s earlier words. He knew Austin didn’t like powerful people, but Anita was hardly a threat. He arrived, very pleased at the prospect of spending an evening with Anita, even more so now he knew how much his father disapproved.
He walked in and scanned the room, smiling as he spotted Anita, Bas and Cleo, before recognising Alexander’s unwelcome form, his leg dangerously close to Anita’s as he sat smugly with the others at Cleo’s favourite table. In the name of the Gods, what is he doing here, Marcus silently cursed as he saw Anita smile at something Alexander had just said. His mood blackened as he made his way towards the table, greeting everyone, except Alexander, warmly when he got there. He sat down next to Anita, then leaned in to kiss her briefly and purposefully on the lips. Anita felt an energy reaction from everyone as he did it, not least from herself, as she felt a mix of embarrassment and excitement rise in her. Marcus carried on as though what he’d just done was totally normal and ordered a bottle of Ginger Champagne, feeling especially pleased with himself, to celebrate.
Anita was now sandwiched in a booth between Marcus and Alexander, with Bas directly opposite, and she felt intensely uncomfortable. It was very pleasant to be in the company of either Marcus or Alexander when they were on their own, however, both together like this was not something she would want to repeat in a hurry. Marcus’ hand made its way to her leg and Alexander’s knee was so close that the fabric of their clothes made it difficult to determine whether there was actual contact or not. Why had she invited Alexander, she asked herself.
Cleo, obviously enjoying Anita’s current predicament, and wishing to stir the situation further, broke the awkward silence. ‘Marcus, we were just discussing a trip to Kingdom this weekend. Can you believe Anita has never been?’
‘Really?’ Marcus looked at Anita, and she shook her head in confirmation. ‘Well I’ll come too to show you around then.’
Cleo smirked and looked at Anita. ‘I thought you had to see your mother this weekend?’ she said tentatively, trying to suppress a worried look.
‘Damn, yeah, you’re right. Well go without me then and I’ll give you a list of things to do. I also have a brilliant driver there, who you can, of course, use, and you must stay in the house.’
Anita was devising a tactical way to break it to Marcus, when Cleo, true to form, jumped in again. ‘That’s so kind Marcus, but Anita, Bas and I are going with Alexander, so we’re planning to stay with him.’
Marcus’ face was a picture and everyone held their breath to see what would come next, Anita noting that Alexander’s energy was steady as a rock. ‘You’re staying with Alexander?’ Marcus asked, directing the question at Anita.
‘Yes,’ interjected Alexander. ‘It will be more comfortable for everyone than staying in a hotel, not to mention safer,’ he shot a meaningful look at Marcus, ‘and besides, I’m not sure Austin would welcome a house full of guests when he’s in Kingdom this weekend.’
Anita felt Marcus’ negative energy rising towards Alexander and knew she had to defuse the situation. ‘I’m sure your mother’s really looking forward to seeing you after all the excitement of the last few weeks,’ she said quickly, placing a reassuring hand on Marcus’ thigh. The distraction worked and Anita felt Marcus mellow a little, but it wasn’t enough to make him let it go. ‘And it’s only for the weekend,’ she said innocently, leaning in to him. ‘We’ll be back before you know it.’ She smiled sweetly, trying to look something like a lost puppy that might cry if he tried to stop her. It worked; his energy returned to more normal levels.
‘Ok, fine,’ he said, relenting, leaning in and giving her another, much longer kiss. Under normal circumstances, Anita would have gone a shade of purple and everyone would have taken the piss out of them, but everyone, perhaps apart from Bas, who looked pretty uncomfortable, realised that Anita had just adverted a crisis, so didn’t say a thing.
‘So, why are you going to Kingdom?’ asked Marcus, his tone a little edgy.
Cleo jumped in again, which Anita was this time grateful for, as it shifted everyone’s focus away from her and Marcus. ‘Well Alexander has some business stuff to do, Bas is going to see someone to talk about energy, and I’m going to see my dad. Dad’s a trader you see, so he’s been out in the Wild Lands for ages and I can’t wait to see him. He’s very fond of Anita, so she’s coming along for the ride.’ This wasn’t entirely true. The way it had really happened was that Cleo had told them she was going to Kingdom this weekend to see her dad and Alexander had said he was going too. He had suggested that Bas come along to meet with some guy that had an interest in the energy. Bas had agreed immediately and Cleo had then suggested that Anita might like to come along too. Cleo’s motives had nothing to do with her dad, but Marcus didn’t need to know that.
Marcus lost interest as Cleo started rabbiting on about the commodities her father traded and how he was hardly ever in Empire any longer, so he put his arm around Anita and pulled her closer towards him. She was his and Alexander had better not forget it.