Page 85 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

He spat out a small curse. “I swear that woman is a bitch.”

I watched him curiously. “Do you get along with your father?”

I didn’t care about Elizabeth at all, and she wasn’t my concern. But I started to care for Maxim, his grandfather… and Alexander. Although he could get me so mad at times.

“I don’t really talk to him much at all,” he told me. “He chose to chase after a woman and leave our mother and that impacted our family badly. To be honest, I was still a kid and Alexander kept me out of it. He really took the brunt of it all. He was barely sixteen and started to help Grandfather in Caldwell Enterprise while going to school at the same time. He took the whole business to a whole new level but it wasn’t easy for him. Dealing with the consequences of our father.”

Whoa, he was sixteen and started to work alongside his grandfather leading a company! Holy shit! Hearing those words from Maxim made me see a different Alexander. A very protective one. He had his way of showing his family he loved them by protecting them.

“What kind of consequences from your father?” I didn’t quite understand what else was in question here. Marriages fell apart every day, married couples cheated… I agreed, it was a bad situation but he made it sound like there were some major consequences that followed.

“Business was impacted, and our family reputation.” Maxim’s answer was so simple but also portrayed how much Alexander had on his shoulders since a very young age. “People were shitty to him, our family, taking business away. But he beat them all by showing them what he can do. They couldn’t even dream of the money he would have made them if they stuck around. Once they tried to crawl back, he called all the shots.”

“That must have been hard on Alexander. He was so young,” I murmured. It was hard for me to imagine Alexander any other way but as an overbearing, protective and totally sexy hot god. But maybe he was so overbearing because he was forced to grow up so quickly? He probably didn’t have time for romancing women and playing.

“He never complained,” Maxim replied dryly. “I’m sure you experienced it already; he’s quite a force to reckon with. But in a good way.”

There was no mistaking that Maxim adored his older brother. How could he not? I was swinging back and forth between adoring him and wanting to throttle him.

Before I could ask any more questions, he switched the subject and I went along. I didn’t want to dig at an old wound.

An hour later, Maxim and I were still sitting at the kitchen table, both of us drinking coffee and laughing at the reminiscence of his childhood mischiefs when Alexander and Brandon found us. Alexander was dressed in his signature suit, while Brandon was dressed in his daycare uniform.

“There she is,” Alexander announced. Still smiling, I looked at them and noted Brandon’s face smeared with tears. I immediately got up and went to them.

“What happened?” I asked Alexander.

“He was just worried because he couldn’t find you.” His voice was calm and I was positive that alone helped Brandon.

I kneeled to Brandon’s level and locked eyes with him. “You okay?”

“Yes.” His voice was slightly trembling. “I was scared.”

“Why, buddy?” I hugged him. “You know I’d never leave without a goodbye kiss.”

He hugged me back, his head nodding in my arms. “I’m scared, Liberty.”

I knew what he meant. For all the assurance from Alexander and Maxim, I was scared too. But I hated to see this little guy worry about something so large.

“Don’t be scared,” I told him softly. “We’ll go together and talk to a few people. They just want to make sure you are okay.” He nodded, but there was still fear in his eyes and it was wrenching my gut. “Alexander is coming, too.”

For some reason that got to him and he glanced at him. “You are?”

“Yes.” Alexander lowered himself on one knee to Brandon’s eye level. “I won’t let anything happen to you or Liberty. We are family now.”

I was amazed to see Brandon’s fear transform into ultimate trust. I gazed at Alexander and I prayed he would deliver. Otherwise, both Brandon and I would be hurt. As if he read my thoughts, he nodded.

“I’ll take care of everything,” he vowed and I believed him. Maybe Brandon and I were both crazy for putting our trust into his hands. But I truly believed if anyone could ensure Brandon wasn’t taken away from me, it would be Alexander.

“You boys want some breakfast?” I asked both of them. In unison, they nodded and we all returned to the kitchen table.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Liberty

We arrived at the court hearing in Alexander’s expensive vehicle. His driver pulled in front of the building, regardless of the signs everywhere that indicated no stopping or parking at any time. He was completely unconcerned as he opened the door for us.

I was so nervous and scared, my stomach was in knots. I hid it well though, for Brandon’s sake. Brandon took my hand and I had to ensure I didn’t squeeze it too hard, considering how nervous I felt. With my other hand, I grabbed Alexander’s and squeezed it hard.

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