Page 121 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

I turned to Alexander.

“Did you know?” I had no doubt that he did, but I wanted to hear him say it. He stood there, unmoving, his eyes drilling into me.

“Liberty,” his grandfather spoke softly. “Let’s go back home and talk this through.” I immediately shook my head. “After we talk and you have your answers, I swear to you, if you do not want to stay there, I’ll take you and Brandon anywhere you want to go.”

“Me too,” his father promised.

“Fuck you will,” Alexander snapped. “She is my wife. She belongs with me.”

“Alexander,” both his grandfather and father warned him, but he ignored them, his eyes burning with rage or desire. I wasn’t sure anymore.

“If you loved my mother, swear on her grave,” I told his father before turning to Grandfather. “And you swear on your grandsons’ lives.”

Neither one of them hesitated.

“Ok, I’ll go to his house and hear you out.”

Alexander stiffened, but his father and grandfather nodded in agreement. We moved to the limo waiting for us and the driver had the door open. His grandfather went in first then his father and Alexander waited for me, placing his hand on the small of my back.

“Don’t touch me,” I whispered low. His face, his whole posture was stoic. I couldn’t tell whether he was hurt like I was or if he felt any emotion at all.

The drive to his place was quiet. Nobody bothered to say a word. As soon as the car came to the stop, I let myself out. I didn’t want Alexander’s help or feel his hand on me, scared I’d cave in to my desire for him.

As we all entered his residence, I turned. “We should probably do this in the study. Since it all started and ended as a business arrangement. Seems appropriate, don't you think so?”

Alexander’s beautiful jaw was pressed hard together, I swore I could almost hear his teeth grinding.

Finally, I pissed him off, I thought bitterly.

Maxim came down the stairs. “What is going on?” he looked alarmed seeing his father. “Why is Father here?”

“How is Brandon?” I asked instead.

“He is fast asleep. I just checked on him.” Maxim’s eyes kept darting between all of us. “What is going on?”

“Come and join the party,” I offered with sarcasm. “Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two. I sure as hell learned too much today. But if you know it all, by all means, please go to bed. Maybe I am the only clueless one here.”

As soon as the words left my lips, it felt wrong. Maxim’s eyes flashed with hurt. My step faltered. That was shitty, and I knew it. I turned to face Maxim.

“I’m sorry, Maxim,” I muttered, placing my hand on his arm.

“No worries, Livy. I’m guessing our family deserved it.” He patted my hand, and his eyes went above my head. I followed his gaze and met Alexander fuming at both of us.

“Take your hand off my wife, brother,” he gritted through his teeth.

I stared at him with wide eyes, shocked. Maxim quickly stepped away, my hand falling off him down to my side.

Finally, my sense and reason came back. I stalked towards Alexander mad, pointing my finger at his hard chest. “Don’t you dare go all Neanderthal on me, Alexander. I’ve had enough. You hear me!”

His gaze shifted to his chest where my finger repeatedly poked at him and his lips titled into a smile. “As long as you are only touching me, wife.”

My hand snapped back, as if burned.

“You are crazy,” I mumbled, our gazes locked; his blue eyes burning into me. Maybe he lost his mind; or maybe I did. I didn’t know anymore what was normal. I needed some alone time to process this. I glanced at all of them, and quickly said, “I need a moment to change out of these clothes.”

All three nodded and I climbed the stairs with a rush. I just needed a minute to get myself and my mind together. As I passed Brandon’s room, I peeked in there to see he was sound asleep. There was a smile on his face as he slept, telling me of his happy dreams.

He was happy here. He loved Alexander, Maxim, and their grandfather. And they loved him too, I couldn’t deny that.

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