Page 120 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“What is she talking about?” Her voice was a soft whisper.

Elizabeth’s maniac laugh got louder. “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 noted Liberty’s grandparents there, her grandmother’s face was wet with tears. I didn’t care about them. I cared about nobody and nothing except my woman there. I wanted to pull her, wrap my arms around her and tell everyone to fuck off. I wanted to protect her from their vicious tongues and hurtful past.

Her gaze came back to me, her beautiful eyes full of sadness and finality. I saw her decision in them.

She slowly walked towards me, our eyes locked. I wondered if she’d slap me, scream or curse at me. I deserved it all, all Caldwells deserved her hate. But I still wanted her love.

“Husband,” she spoke softly to me, and for the first time in my whole adult life, my ears rang with the thundering of my heart and fear she’d forever hate me. “Are you ready to go home?” She wrapped herself around my arm leaning her body against me.

Fuck! And the last fraction of my heart was gone. She took all of it without even asking for it.

Gasps sounded around the room but she never wavered from me. “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.”

Her small frame lifted on her toes and her lips reached for mine, ever so slowly. I waited for her kiss, worried I’d scare her off if I met her with the desperation in me. She was barely an inch away from my mouth and my resolve went out the window as I grabbed her by the nape of her neck and crushed my mouth onto her soft lips. I needed her, I was desperate for her and for the first time in my life, I was scared of losing.

“Let’s go,” I told her against her lips, her eyes fluttering open with a haze of desire reflecting mine.

She turned her head. “Dad. Grandfather, will you come too?”

As we walked through the palace leaving the entire damn society behind us, I couldn’t believe how Liberty reacted. I wasn’t a fool to think she was okay with any of it. But she stood up for me and my family. None of us spoke, my father and grandfather following behind us. It was the first time in over thirty years that my father and grandfather stoody side by side. It was all thanks to Liberty.

As soon as we stepped out of the palace and descended the stairs, she stopped, turning towards me.

“I can’t go home with you.” Her words were unacceptable. I took her by nape and pressed my lips against hers. I would kiss her all the way home if I need to, she was going home with me.

“Stop,” she ordered, pushing her small palm against me. “I can’t think when you are kissing me or are so close to me.”

“No.” I would not let her walk away from me. “You are coming home with me. Where you belong.”

“Alexander,” my grandfather warned.

“No.” There was nobody that would take her from me. Not past, not secrets, not Callen. I was never going to let anyone take her. It was all out in the open now and I would fight for her.

I’d cheat, steal, and kill for her.

I finally became my father.

Chapter Fifty-One

Liberty

The gleam in his eyes was hard, stubborn, and passionate, but there were way too many secrets to get over. He took my mother’s company. Three generations of Caldwell men were around me. I wondered how long they’ve been in the shadows of my life, without me even knowing it.

I turned to his father. “You were at Mom’s funeral.”

I noticed surprise in Alexander’s and grandfather’s expressions.

“Yes,” his voice was a murmur. “I loved her.”

I nodded. “You killed my father… Layla’s and my father?”

His eyes studied me in silence. I couldn’t say that I felt remorse for my father. If he raped my mother, he deserved to die.

He remained quiet, his eyes unmoving. “Did Mom love you?”

“Yes.” His voice was rough, full of emotions. “She was meant for me. Giving her up was the hardest thing I ever did.”

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