that had happened and everything that was going on in her head. And maybe she’d told Martha more than she’d originally intended to, but all of a sudden things had just started to spill out, all those feelings she’d kept hidden for so long, things she hadn’t told all that many people before. And Martha had listened and held her and promised not to tell Reece anything, if that’s what India wanted.
But if what India had told her was true – and she had no reason to doubt it, given what had happened in the past – then Martha was going to find it very hard to keep it from Reece. For years India had shut Michael out of her life for a reason only a handful of people were aware of, and now Martha was one of those people, and now she understood perfectly why India had done what she had. But could she keep that from Reece, now she knew? Could she really do that, given what India had told her?
‘Maybe… maybe we just need to take a step back, honey. You know, let the kids deal with this themselves.’
Reece poured himself a tall glass of lemonade and sat back in his chair, taking a sip as he stared out ahead at the calm waters of the ocean, knowing India was down there on the beach, being looked after by the one man he knew cared about her more than any other – except him. He was her father, nobody could love her the way he did. But Kenny, he came close. Reece could trust him implicitly. Now. If only he’d realised that years ago, would things have been different?
‘Oh, maybe you’re right,’ Reece sighed, putting his lemonade down and pushing both hands through his now-greying hair. ‘I’m not getting any younger; I could do with slowing down now and again. Maybe it’s time to let go a little, huh?’
Martha smiled, leaning over to kiss him quickly. ‘Hey, you ain’t ever slowing down, Brogan. You’re not the type. But, well, Indiacan and will sort this one out. She’ll be fine. And anyway, you’ll all be back in Vegas before you know it, so let me have some time with my gorgeous husband while I’ve got him all to myself, okay?’
He couldn’t help smiling too. She was the most wonderful woman, his Martha. She could turn any mood of his around and make him feel good just by being there.
But if he had any idea that she was all too aware of just what it was that Michael Walsh had done to his daughter all those years ago, maybe he wouldn’t be so keen to even have that man directing her movie, never mind getting back into her life. And with good reason. After all, what father would want any man who’d raped his little girl going anywhere near her again? Even if it did seem as though she’d forgiven him. For whatever reason. And Martha still found it hard to understand how anybody could forgive that. But, even if Indiahad forgiven Michael for past actions, Martha knew Reece never would. And that was what she had to think about when deciding whether or not to tell him what India had told her. Did she break the trust of the girl she looked on as her daughter, or did she allow the man who cared about her more than life itself to know the truth?
***
‘Do we really need all this security, Kenny?’
The beach party was well underway, music spilling out from the house onto the beach outside, a small fire casting a light orange glow across the sand as the sound of people enjoying themselves filled the air. Just like the old days, except, with noticeable differences, like the security surrounding the house and the beach. They were trying to blend in, but it was strikingly obvious who the guests were – and who’d been employed to keep an eye on them.
‘India, honey, have you seen the amount of paparazzi out there? Or have you failed to notice the cars and vans that have been parked outside this place since we got here?’
‘But, security? There’re even police outside!’
‘Jesus…’ Kenny sighed, leaning back against the porch wall, taking a swig of beer straight from the bottle. ‘Are you really that naïve? All that shit hits the fan in Vegas and you honestly think we can carry on the way we used to? Without that security, sweetheart, this place would be