Page 116 of Reclaiming Adelaide

Alek crossed his ankle over his knee and rolled his shoulders as he relaxed into his chair. “We want to take the long route?”

“I don’t think it’ll take long with us working together.”

“You don’t think they’ll see it coming?”

I laughed. “They made a deal with me because they’re desperate. They can’t find Holeo because they’re inferior, technologically speaking.”

A fact that brought about the giddiest sensation inside. We had the upper hand and could digitally destroy everything they worked so hard for.

If we couldn’t win at hand to hand, we’d start with disconnecting them from their allies, taking all their means of resources, then drive them into hiding.

A man will wither and decay when disconnected from allies and society.

“So then what?”

“We have to make sure they regret ever threatening me and mine.”

“And you think we can pull this off?”

I guzzled back the rest of the liquor and stood from the wicker chair. “Without a doubt in my mind.”

“When do we begin?”

I placed the cup in the outside sink. “It’s already begun. Now we wait and see.” I waved my fingers in the air like I used to do when I was a stupid teenager. “I’m Merlin, remember?”

Alek chuckled and swallowed the rest of his contents as he rose to his feet and followed me inside.

“Let’s go.” I ticked my head towards the door when Adelaide turned her gaze to me. A bright happiness shone on her face, her smile beaming. That wasn’t an emotion I expected to see today. The baby lay sleeping in her arms as she cuddled Hannah to her chest, making my stomach swirl.

If we survived all of this, that would be us, and she’d hold my baby with a look of love that rivaled God.

“Do you want to hold her?” Adelaide kept her red-rimmed eyes on me as she swept her tongue over her bottom lip in a move so innocent yet it caused my dick to harden against my slacks.

I shook my head. “No.”

I’d never held a baby before, and something about their tiny bones had me cringing. Not to mention, the first child I’d hold would be my own.

Her freckles popped out on her cheeks as they reddened with a look I couldn’t decipher. She dropped her gaze to the babe, then handed her off to Becca.

“Thank you. This was a good idea.”

“You’re welcome.” Becca positioned the baby in her arms. “I’m sorry about today, sweetie. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, come to me. Okay?”

Adelaide nodded. Her sadness renewed.

Goddammit.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and walked her out of the house and to the limo.

“Did it help?” I asked when we got situated inside, her thigh brushing against mine.

“Yes,” she said in a hushed tone, her hand resting in her lap.

Would I be a selfish bastard if I took a piece of her today?

Definitely.

“Good.” I grabbed her hand and brought it to my lips, kissing her knuckles one by one. “I’d do anything to help you, Adelaide.”

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