The Power Trip

‘For God’s sake!’ Ashley snapped. ‘Have an opinion for once.’

‘Okay, okay, don’t get your knickers in a twist,’ Taye said quickly. ‘It’s nice. Virginal.’

‘Who wants to look bloody virginal?’ Ashley exploded. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

I could tell her, Taye thought. I could tell her that what’s wrong with me is an acute case of blue balls, and no amount of tossing myself off seems to solve the problem.

‘How do you wanna look then?’ he asked.

‘Sexy,’ Ashley said, pouting. ‘Like I used to before I had the twins and ruined my figure.’

For a second he thought she might burst into tears, and quick as a flash he was on his feet, holding her, comforting her, feeling her boobs pressing up against his chest and liking it a lot.

Then Mammoth intruded and she hurriedly shoved him away. ‘Is sex all you ever think about?’ she said crossly.

‘Maybe,’ he confessed. ‘’Cause y’know what, toots, we haven’t done it in weeks.’

‘Oh my God!’ she said, glaring daggers. ‘Are you counting now?’

‘Not counting,’ he said, careful not to piss her off further. ‘Just frustrated.’

‘The problem with you, Taye,’ she said grandly, ‘is that all you can think about is yourself.’

Trouble loomed. If Ashley got into one of her moods, there was no getting her out of it, and they were leaving on the trip tomorrow. He didn’t want to set her off. Maybe if he backed down he could bring her around — anything for a bit of peace.

‘Okay, okay,’ he said soothingly. ‘I’m sorry, luv. I get it — you’re stressed out. Me too. We both need this break.’

‘I know I certainly do,’ Ashley said pointedly.

They were saved by the twins who came bounding into the room, followed by a fussy Elise, who was quite enamoured with being in charge. She’d sent the nanny out on a series of errands, and was in full control.

Aimee and Wolf were looking picture perfect. For some reason known only to Elise, the two children were both dressed as if they were on their way to a party or a photo shoot.

‘Daddy!’ Aimee flung herself at Taye, wrapping her sturdy little body around his legs, clinging to him tightly. ‘Don’t want choo t’go’way!’

Wolf — a miniature version of his father — hovered in the doorway scowling and kicking at the rug.

‘It’s only for a week, baby girl,’ Taye assured Aimee. ‘And Daddy an’ Mummy are gonna buy you lots of presents.’

‘Don’t promise them that,’ Ashley hissed. ‘They’re spoiled enough as it is.’

‘I want a Ferrari,’ Wolf piped up.

‘An’ I want a Princess castle,’ Aimee said, joining in.

‘Only if you’re good, mind your manners, an’ listen to Grandma,’ Taye said.

‘Please do not call me Grandma,’ Elise said, throwing him a dirty look. ‘The children call me Moo-Moo. I’ve told you both dozens of times. Doesn’t anyone listen?’

‘Moo-Moo sounds like a cow,’ Ashley snickered.

‘No, it doesn’t,’ Elise objected. ‘It’s an adorable nickname, isn’t it, children?’

‘Want to get Princess Barbie too,’ Aimee announced.

‘You’re stupid,’ Wolf said with a great deal of authority. ‘All girls are stupid idiots.’

‘Don’t be rude to your sister,’ Ashley scolded.

‘Yes, you heard your mother — mind your manners, young man,’ Elise interjected.

‘Manners! Manners! Manners!’ Aimee chanted, sticking her tongue out at Wolf, who retaliated by forming a spitball and sending it in her direction.

‘Oh my God!’ Ashley screamed. ‘The two of you are disgusting! Take them away, Mother. I can’t stand to look at them.’

‘We’re going for dinner at Nando’s,’ Elise said, unphased by the children’s bad behaviour. ‘The little ones love the chicken burgers there.’

‘Why’re they so dressed up?’ Taye asked, attempting to disentangle Aimee from his legs.

‘In case they’re photographed,’ Elise responded matter of factly. ‘You never know.’

‘They only get photographed when they’re out with us,’ Ashley pointed out.

‘Not so,’ Elise argued. ‘Celebrities’ children are quite the vogue. Gwen Stefani’s little ones are almost as famous as their mother. And Suri Cruise is simply everywhere.’

‘That’s in America,’ Ashley stated.

‘It’s starting here too,’ Elise said. ‘And I’m sure you want Aimee and Wolf to look their adorable best.’

‘Whatever,’ Ashley muttered, more interested in getting back to her packing.

‘Okay then,’ Taye said, finally freeing himself from his little daughter’s clutches. ‘We’ll see you all later.’

Elise threw him a meaningful stare.

‘What?’ Taye said, realizing she wanted something.

‘Money,’ Elise said. ‘For dinner.’

‘Oh yeah,’ Taye said, digging in his pocket and coming up with a crumpled wad of notes. ‘How much do you need?’

‘Stop being a cheapskate and give her the lot,’ Ashley said, anxious to get rid of them.

‘Sure, toots,’ Taye said, handing over a bundle of cash.

The family departed, and once more Taye found himself alone with his bad-tempered wife. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of England and into sunnier climes. Maybe a change of scenery would put Ashley in a better mood.

A man could only hope.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Xuan did not need to be entertained. After their dinner at the neighbourhood bistro, she took off on her own every morning, not returning until late at night. When Flynn suggested another dinner, she demurred, saying that she was finishing up work on a thesis she was writing about women who become prostitutes and their reasons why. He had plenty of work of his own to complete before they took off, so he didn’t mind. Although he couldn’t help thinking that Xuan was a difficult woman to figure out. Even though he had thought he knew her, he soon realized that he actually didn’t know her at all. She was an enigma.

The Kasianenko plan was to meet up in Cabo San Lucas at the boat, so he was surprised to get a call from Aleksandr himself.

‘I have to stop in Paris for a meeting tomorrow,’ Aleksandr said briskly. ‘So we will pick you up and we will fly to Cabo together.’

It was as if they’d spoken yesterday instead of almost two years previously.

‘Sounds good,’ Flynn responded, pleased with the change of plan. It certainly beat getting on and off a series of planes to reach their destination.

‘I’ll have my people call with the arrangements,’ Aleksandr stated.

And that was that. Aleksandr was a man of few words.

Later Flynn told Xuan the new plan and she nodded. ‘Perhaps I can write a piece about this man with his big plane, his super-models and his enormous yacht,’ she said coolly. ‘Does he give back to the world, or is everything simply a prize for him?’

‘No writing anything,’ Flynn warned. ‘Aleksandr’s one of the good guys.’

‘How do you know that?’ Xuan asked with a sceptical expression.

‘Because I do,’ he retorted, experiencing doubts about whether inviting Xuan on this journey was such a smart thing to do.