Page 137 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

Layla shot a glare at Alexander and spat out, “You better take care of them and let her get plenty of rest. She hasn’t been feeling well. She needs to rest.”

I inwardly groaned. Why in the hell would she say that?

Alexander’s eyes, edged with concern, observed me and he replied to Layla, “I’ll make sure she gets rest.”

“Call me if you need me,” Layla said for the tenth time as she hugged me.

I nodded, I went into the car without a glance or word at Alexander. He followed right behind me, and I could feel the heat and power radiating from him. My body and heart wanted him.

I should have said no to Callen and refused to help him. Now, I was getting into an even bigger mess. I needed to get out, not get deeper in. Then I reminded myself I was permanently entangled into Alexander regardless. I needed to take this weekend as an opportunity and talk to him about our path forward.

“Liberty,” Brandon called out to me and I focused my attention on him.

“Yes, sweetie.”

“Did you hear my question?” he asked, his big eyes searching my face.

“I’m sorry, honey,” I apologized softly. “I was thinking about something else. Can you repeat the question?”

“Are you sad?” he asked. I wasn’t sure if that was the question or he was just noting my mood.

“No, not at all,” I lied, hoping my little godchild wasn’t too perceptive.

“Alexander said he bought us a house. What kind of house do you like?” he asked excitedly, literally jumping on his seat. “Alexander said if you don’t like this house, he can get another one.”

From my peripheral, I sensed Alexander’s eyes on me, but I ignored him.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” I answered Brandon, smiling at his excitement. “As long as you and I are together.”

“And Alexander,” he promptly added and my heart sank.

“Hmmm,” I couldn’t force the agreement nor denial out so I settled for a non-committal answer. I wanted a big happy family more than anything. But Alexander hasn’t really said anything about loving me.

I turned my focus out the window, London’s streets being left behind, and for the first time since I left my mom’s house, I missed being home. I missed the humid summer days and mountains surrounding my childhood home. The smell of the spring and fall was my favorite time in our little town in Western Maryland. The name was so appropriate for it, Middletown. It was a tiny little town located in the valley that stretched between two mountains, one on the east, and other on the west.

Why couldn’t life be as simple as that again?

I thought of my mom. She told me once that a heart was given out only once. It was almost as tragic as her favorite song “Whiskey Lullaby.” Now it finally made sense. So many years and she had still been in love with Alexander’s dad. Was that what awaited me? The thought made me want to cry. Then again, everything made me want to cry these days.

I thought about the little town where my mom raised me. Everybody knew everyone; it was a tight knit community. It was tempting to just pack it up and leave with Brandon. It would be a perfect place to raise children, not to mention that’s where his mom and I grew up. It could be where I started anew. But on the other hand, it felt like running away. Maybe Maxim was right. I was running away.

I gazed at Brandon who seemed so happy. This was his home, and after losing both his parents, it would be cruel to uproot him and change his life again. I had to do something though, staying in London or around the Caldwell’s would be hard.

You have no choice but to stay around the Caldwell family. It is his child as much as yours.

I looked over at Alexander and found his eyes on me. Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. He shouldn’t have impacted me the way he did. I gave him a weak smile, then turned my attention back to the streets passing us by while Brandon chatted with Alexander about his superhero toys, oblivious to tension between his custodials.

Two hours in a private plane and a thirty minute drive later, we were in Wick, one of the most northern parts of Scotland.

As we pulled up on the large estate, Brandon’s exclamation echoed my thoughts exactly.

“This is a castle!”

Alexander and I hadn’t spoken the entire time. I caught his occasional glances thrown my way, but I refused to reach out. I’d made enough decisions out of desperation for him.

The car came to a stop and Brandon couldn’t wait for the driver to open the door for us. He opened the door and sped out, running around the grand courtyard, jumping and squealing.

“Do you like it, Liberty?” Brandon’s excitement was contagious. As I got out of the car, I walked over to him.

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