Page 119 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

Elizabeth’s maniac laugh got louder, and I whipped my head around. “She doesn’t even know! Now this is priceless. She is married into a family that practically squashed her mother’s happiness and she is defending you all.”

I felt like I watched the entire scene from the outside, noting everyone’s stare, quiet whispers, Elizabeth’s satisfied smile, and tears running down the face of the woman that also defended Alexander’s dad, my grandmother. I wanted to scream at them all, shout at them that there was nothing to see here. Instead, I stood there numb, my gaze lingering over so many strangers in this room. I could finally understand why my mom left.

This was exactly what Elizabeth wanted to achieve. Humiliation for me and some sick way of getting back at me, Alexander, and his family. I’d have to leave my questions for later, and I swore on my mom’s grave I would get them all. Right now, I wanted nothing to do with him nor his family. The only people I needed now were Brandon and Layla.

But there was no way I was letting Elizabeth get away with this. I could punch her or I could just play her game. Although right now, punching her sounded really good.

I turned to Alexander hoping I’d be able to pull it off. He stood there like the ice statue, his father and grandfather a mirror image of him. God help me, but even after hearing all this, I still loved this man. My body still reacted under his eyes and craved his touch.

Doomed… it was doomed from the beginning.

I heard Elizabeth’s scoff and I went into motion. I walked slowly to my husband, my eyes locked with his. Everybody watched us in suspense, waiting for a scandal to erupt. I had three generations of Caldwell men in front of me and could dish out a perfect scandal.

But that wasn’t me. Despite all, they were good men. I thought of the man that loved me with his body, hard and passionate, and it was all it took for me to muster a seductive smile.

“Husband,” I spoke softly to him, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear it. “Are you ready to go home?” I wrapped my arms around his biceps as I pressed my body against his.

I heard a few gasps around the room, but didn’t bother looking at anyone, my eyes locked with my husband’s blue gaze. “Take me home, please. I have a big day tomorrow at Caldwell publishing since you are the most adoring husband and gave me the company.”

Desire burned in his eyes, and I lifted on tippy toes to reach his lips with mine. He wasn’t moving and it reminded me of our honeymoon picnic, he was waiting for my kiss. I was inches from his lips, my breathing slightly hitched, everyone in the room forgotten. He took the nape of my neck and crushed his mouth on mine, desperation and passion in it.

He stopped too quickly.

“Let’s go,” he murmured.

I turned my head to his father and grandfather. “Dad,” I tilted my head at Alexander’s dad and then turned to his grandfather. “Grandfather, will you come too?”

And we all left together, leaving the audience behind, Alexander and I hand in hand.

Chapter Fifty

Alexander

As soon as I saw Liberty in my father’s arms, my blood froze. I rushed through the crowd of people, ignoring anyone that called out to me. Dread came over me, fear of losing her intensifying with each step. I never wanted my father around Liberty. He was another secret I kept from her.

So many damn secrets. They never bothered me before, but with Liberty, I wanted no secrets.

I stalked through the hallway towards the room I saw my father and Liberty disappear into. With the constant interruption from business associates, I felt it took me way too long to reach her.

When I got there, I watched my wife raise her hand and slap Elizabeth hard, the sound echoing throughout the room. My father stood close to Liberty, his eyes scouting any threat that would get an idea of raising their hand at her. My grandfather was there too. We just needed Maxim and Brandon to make this a full family affair.

I watched Liberty gape at her hand with a slight shock on her face. As if she couldn’t believe what she had done.

“Don’t ever mention my mom again.” Her voice shook with anger. “And stay away from Brandon, Alexander’s and my family. If you ever say anything bad about my family again,” she spat out, anger in her voice. “I’ll be sure they are your last words ever spoken.”

Fuck, my wife made me proud! Hearing how she defended me and my family was such a turn on.

Elizabeth started laughing like a jealous lunatic she was.

“You think you know it all. But you know nothing.”

“That’s enough, Elizabeth.” I didn’t have to threaten her. She was a mistake. I should have never hired her to prepare legal purchasing paperwork for Lily Smith’s publishing company. Her eyes darted to me and I could see the crazed lust in them. She knew I would revoke every loan she and her family had, I could ruin her with one phone call. But she was way past reason.

I met Livy’s hazel eyes and prayed this wouldn’t be her final straw. Because I wasn’t beyond begging her on my knees here in front of everyone so she wouldn’t leave me. I was not beyond locking her with me in our newest remote castle I bought us. I’d go as far as I needed to, just to keep her.

“Oh, this is fun, darling,” Elizabeth continued, but my eyes focused only on my wife. She was all that mattered. “She is defending you and your family. Does she know how your family destroyed her mother and then you finished it off by taking her mother’s publishing company? Now that is hilarious!”

My wife frowned, looked at Elizabeth and then back to me, questions in her expressive eyes.

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