“Of course.”

“I’ll check emails twice a day. But if something urgent comes up, call me.”

“Alexander, I got this. Just enjoy your honeymoon.”

He tugged on his tie, his eyes seeking out his wife. I hoped those two would find a way to each other. My brother was forced to grow up way too young, taking the reins of the business while he was still in his teens. All because of our father. It was Alexander’s turn to find his happiness. God knew he worked hard enough for it.

“You should tell her.” I knew I should keep out of it but I couldn’t resist. He told me a few weeks back it was the Caldwells that bought out the publishing company of Liberty’s mother.

“Tell her what?”

“That you bought her mother’s publishing company. Don’t let stuff like that linger in the air, destroying your chance at being happy.”

“No.”

My brother for all his admirable qualities could be stubborn as a mule. Not that I was much better. But at least I had a more pleasant personality.I think.

“Why not?” I questioned him agitated, while glancing in the direction of my new sister-in-law and found her watching us. She stood with Brandon and Layla, saying her goodbyes before departing for the honeymoon Alexander arranged.

It would be comical how hard Layla avoided looking my way, if it only didn’t frustrate me like nothing else. It made me want to chase her and corner her even more. And then take those full red lips between mine and taste her.

The incident between her and Livy’s ex-boyfriend earlier showed me she could be a little shark when protecting those she loved. And I fucking loved it. I just needed to make it clear to her I wasn’t a threat.

“Because that is not even the worst of it.” My brother’s voice brought my mind back to our conversation.

I frowned at his words. Sometimes it felt like the secrets surrounding our family would be our downfall. Alexander tended to carry all the family cursed secrets on his shoulder. He really had to stop being a martyr.

“What do you mean?”

“Leave it, Maxim.”

Alexander strode over to his wife and Brandon. Brandon gave him a hug. That little man would melt every single heart. Whatever would happen, it was the goal of all of us not to upset Brandon.

“Now we are all a family,” Brandon exclaimed happily, his eyes shining with happiness. God, that kid loved Liberty. And she loved him.

“Yes, we are a family now.” Alexander’s voice was firm, his eyes on his wife. Involuntarily, my eyes shifted to Layla who stood next to her best friend. She avoided looking at me, talking to me, dancing with me.

She avoided me. Period!

I could see she was always aware of me though. The same way I was aware of her. She fought her attraction like it was a plague. But damn if I would let her. I couldn’t even say what about her captured my attention. She barely spoke to me, barely looked at me, barely gave me the time of day. Maybe it was a challenge. All I knew was that I had never felt such attraction to another woman before. I couldn’t care less who she was, what her name was, or what she did for a living. She was simply mine.

I got my confirmation Layla was indeed the granddaughter of the Cambridge family. The one and the same that my father had such an unpleasant history with. And that was putting it mildly. And one and the same that Daniel and I discovered was stealing foundation money. But what struck me as odd was that Layla had never been included in their circle. From all the intel I gathered, she visited them once every few weeks and that was the extent of their connection.

“Okay, you two,” I told Liberty and Alexander, forcing a smile on. “Off you go. Brandon and I will be playing football.” I gave a pointed look at Liberty, accenting my next words. “The way it should be played.”

Earlier this week, Brandon told me Liberty instructed him to cower and play dead when playing football. So he wouldn’t get hurt. Craziest theory ever.

Livy shrugged her shoulder. “You do that. But if he gets hurt, I’ll hurt you much worse.”

I laughed. This woman would be Alexander’s perfect match. “Livy, you can be scary sometimes.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just make sure he is not hurt.”

I ruffled Brandon’s blonde hair. “What kind of uncle would that make me?”

Layla watched me like she wanted to spit something out. The fire in her eyes made me want to bend her over and thrust into her, till she melted under my touch. Instead, I feigned indifference. I couldn’t resist, raising my eyebrow in challenge. She just settled for some grumbling under her breath and ignoring me again.

Brandon, Layla, and I stood watching Liberty and Alexander drive off, ready to get their honeymoon started.