Page 51 of All The Happily Ever Afters

And I’ll keep her with everything I have.

“I’m not sure she’ll ever find that one out,” I say, looking at him from the corner of my eyes and making sure the threat is clearly evident.

He raises his hands in surrender but says, “The pregnancy may give it away.” His voice is low, careful to make sure no one can hear.

I stop just outside of the sliding glass doors. “I know it’s not right to start it off like this,” I start to tell him, thinking about every deal I planned and manipulated, every lie and deceitful action. It’s not right, but this situation isn’t normal.

“She’ll forgive me if she ever finds out,” I tell him with confidence. “My intentions are pure.” I only want to love her. To keep her and have her. I’ll spoil her with everything she could ever want or need. The lies were necessary. If she knew the truth, surely she would have run far and fast.

He nods at my admission, but his eyes flicker to the floor.

“What?” I ask him.

“So were your brother’s,” he answers me. My body tenses at the thought of Annabelle.

I clear my throat and ball my hands into fists as I say, “She’s nothing like that.” I take a step forward, closing the space between us as the anger builds. “Thisis nothing like that.”

I love my brother Marcus. I’ve always looked up to him, thought well of him. But what he’s done,what he’s doing, it’s not right. I just don’t understand why. There must be a reason.

Either way, my Lila is nothing like Belle and our situations aren’t comparable.

“I’m not saying that,” Drew answers me with strength in his voice although he cowers slightly. I calm my breathing, the adrenaline pumping hard in my blood.

“I’m not saying that at all,” he repeats and takes a step back. “I’m just saying that maybe,” he takes a breath and looks behind me, straightening his stance and looking casual. I peek over my shoulder to see Lila walking toward us. The pea coat she’s wearing is a teal color that pops amongst the tree line, making her stand out even more.

The sight of her reddened cheeks and windblown hair makes my body crave to touch her, to hold her. To keep her safe.

She’s mine.

“I’m just saying,” Drew says in a low voice, gaining my attention again. He swallows and lick his lips. “Be careful with her,” he adds and his eyes search mine, a hint of worry evident.

I nod once and take a step backward. She’s not his concern, but I’ll put him at ease.

“If she wants to leave me,” I start to answer him with the promise I know he needs, but I can’t give it to him. “Then I’ll convince her otherwise.” I tell him the truth, and his gaze drops.

“I love her, Drew.” My words make his eyes drift back up. I offer him something that I know will put him at ease, but unexpectedly, also puts me at ease. “I’ll bring her to the shops often. She’s curious and loves the town.”

“Alec!” I hear her call out from behind me with happiness in her voice.

I quickly add, “If she ever looks anything but in love and happy in every way, tell me.” I hold his gaze as I hear her call out again, the sounds of her coming closer to the porch getting louder and more evident.

As soon as I hear her boots hit the wooden deck, Drew nods his head. “I’ll tell you,” he says.

“And I’ll listen,” I reply and then quickly turn around to face my love with a welcoming smile. My heart clenches thinking that one day, Drew may come to me and tell me she’s unhappy. I won’t let it happen.

A gorgeous smile widens across her face as she comes closer, and I walk to meet her halfway. “Good morning,” I tell her and then press my lips against hers, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her into me, muffling her greeting. She moans softly as her lips mold to mine and I only break the kiss because I know Drew’s behind us.

The blush creeps up to her cheeks as she bites her bottom lip and tucks her hair behind her ear shyly.

It only makes me want her more.

“Hi Drew,” Lila says sweetly although it only makes her cheeks redder, and she can’t look him in the eyes. She’s so innocent and pure, so easy for me to take for myself.

A soft wind blows and I tuck a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and kiss her one last time before moving to the doors.

“Let’s go in,” I tell her and then glance at Drew. His expression is one of contentment at least as he nods and says hello in return. “This house is filled with stories.”

And I’ll tell her every one of them.

One day she’ll understand.

Until then, I know she has feelings for me. And what I feel for her is real.

Everything else be damned.

---