The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(111)

I chuckle and grab his arms, pulling him over the seat and setting him on my stomach. “You’re getting cheekier by the day.”

“We going ski today!” He bounces on my stomach in excitement.

“Are we?”

He nods his head, smiling wide. “I show Dad how it’s done.”

I chuckle at his serious little face. “Who told you to say that?”

“Mumma.” He grins, pulling his hands to his mouth. “Uncle Elliot broke his hand.”

“When?” I frown.

“The other day. And Daddy had a sleepover.” He pulls on the string in my hoodie, and it pulls right through. His eyes widen in panic, and then his lips start to curl.

“What did you do, Ellis!” I groan playfully, gathering up the string.

“Mean to, Luce,” he tells me.

“Right, that’s it. You’re making me pancakes for breakfast!”

“Yes!” he cheers, throwing his hands in the air.

I lift him in my arms and walk towards the kitchen, tickling him under his knees and making him giggle.

As we step into the lounge, I find Charlie and Maxwell standing at the back of the sofa. Charlie quickly masks his emotions when he spots us, but Maxwell isn’t so fast, and it’s clear to me the conversation they were having wasn’t a friendly one.

“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between them both.

Charlie looks at Maxwell.

“I’ve got to get back to New York,” he tells me.

“What? Why?”

“Alec needs me for a job. I can’t not go.” He looks to the ground, then back up at me, remorse blatant on his face. “I’m sorry, Luce.”

“Surely work can wait?” I mutter, readjusting Ellis on my hip. “We’ve been here for three days. Not even three full ones.”

And I don’t want to leave.

Yesterday I did, but not now.

“You’re staying here.” Charlie gives me an apologetic look. “With us.”

“I—”

“It’s fine. Stay,” Maxwell interjects. “I won’t be around for a couple days at home anyway.” He rounds the sofas and leans in to kiss my cheek, pulling me in for a quick hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. I need to hit the road, but I’ll call you when I land.”

“How are you getting to the airport?”

“I’ve called for a car. Should be here any minute now,” Charlie tells me.

I frown as I watch Maxwell pick up his suitcase and walk towards the doors.

“See you later, yeah.”

And then he leaves.

I stand in the middle of the lounge, completely at a loss as to what’s just happened.

“Pancakes!” Ellis wiggles down from my arms, and I silently follow him to the kitchen.

Thankfully, Charlie takes over the cooking while I sit on the stool and get a little lost in my head.

How can he just leave?

I get Alec’s business is only now taking off, but to up and leave in the midst of a holiday?

Should I leave with him?

After a few minutes of silence, Charlie rests both his hands wide on the counter, staring down at the worktop between us. He holds a thoughtful look on his face, and after a beat, he lifts his eyes to mine.

“I don’t like him, Luce.”

My jaw locks.

His eyes plead for my understanding, and being that it’s Charles telling me this—the most honest, respectful man I know, I soften.

“He’s a good guy, Charlie. He’s been there for me.”

Charlie nods, although his face remains grim.

“I’m a good guy,” Ellis glees, climbing to his knees on the seat.

“You’re the best, buddy.” Charlie smiles, setting him back on the seat properly.

I toy with my fork, not eating like I know I should. “I planned to ask Maxwell to move out when we got back.”

Charlie’s brows shoot high. “You did?”

“I wanted to.” I shrug. “I have a lot to tell him. Whether or not I would’ve had the balls to actually do it—”

“I think you would have. This week will be good for you.”

“Maybe.” I smile at him sadly.

“Eat your pancakes,” he tells me, leaning down to kiss the top of Ellis’s head. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of us, right, Master Ellis?”





We walk down the coastal path to the beach after we’ve all finished breakfast. The guys get the Jet Ski’s into the water while we get Ellis into his life vest. Waverly stayed behind with Vinny today. She loves the outdoors but is far too young to ride with anyone.

Elliot, Charlie, Mason, and Megan all climb onto the skis, leaving me, Nina, and Scarlet to ride on the backs.

Scarlet jumps onto Charlie’s—which was my first choice as far as safety goes.

Mason whistles at Nina. “Mrs Lowell, come wrap those legs around me, thank you.”

“You need to take Ellis, Mase,” Nina frowns.

“Ellis, do you want to ride with Auntie Megs?” he shouts.

“Yes!”

I flick my eyes around at them all, wondering if they think I’m stupid.

“He’s not riding with you!” Elliot tells Megan. “Ellis, come here.”