Page 82 of Begin Again, Part 2

"There's a verbal agreement in place," he reminded her. "And you know it's as binding as any signed contract. I can't leave."

Eden buried her face in his chest. "There has to be a way to get out of this."

"There isn't," Liam insisted. "And I won't let Aleksei intimidate me."

"If you can't do it for me, do it for Aiden then." She pulled away from him and walked away, her shoulders sagged in defeat, her whole back stiff with tension. Liam watched her vanish into the crowd of dancers, wishing he could give in to her demands. He'd give anything to see her smile. But six billion wasn't chump change. There was no way he'd give in to Aleksei's threats.

"She's cute," Laura said from behind him. "I had a chat with her earlier."

As if his day hadn't gone to shit already, he had to contend with his ex. He should have known she'd be here since a few of her colleagues from Hayes & Jones were also present.

Liam sighed with resignation as he turned around to confront her. "What did you say to her?"

"Nothing bad, I promise."

"Stay away from her. Your issue is with me. Leave her out of it."

"No, Liam, I don't have an issue with you." Laura smiled. For the first time in a long time, she looked sincere. "Anyway, if you want to know what I said to her, I simply wished her well in your relationship. It's obvious you love her deeply, and as much as it pains me to see you with another woman, I think I'm ready now to let you go."

Liam searched her face for any hint of bitterness, convinced she was messing with him. But he was surprised when he found nothing but sincerity in her eyes.

"Do you mean that?" he asked.

Before Laura could reply, glass shattering, followed by shocked gasps across the room, caught his attention. Eden had dropped a jug of water while chatting with Isaac, and was now swaying on her feet.

Liam excused himself from his ex, and in a flash, he'd crossed the room and had Eden safely in his arms.

"I'll take her home," Isaac offered.

Liam scowled at him. "That's okay. She's my responsibility. I'll look after her."

"Is there a problem, Anderson?" Isaac asked. "From the moment we've met, you've been nothing but hostile."

"Yes, there is a problem—You!" Liam said. "Stay away from Eden. And the weekly flowers have to stop. No more coffee dates, movies, and playdates, either. It ends tonight."

"I know you're Aiden's father, but I don't recall you and Edie being an item," Isaac reminded him. "Why are you getting involved in her business?"

"I don't answer to you, Jones." Liam grabbed Eden's clutch and scooped her up in his arms.

"Take care of her," Isaac said. "She holds a special place in my heart. I didn't go after because she only has you in hers. But if you mess up, I'll come after her and won't let her go."

"You can try!" Liam scoffed as he left The Ballroom with Eden in his arms.

Matthew and Julian brought the car around. Liam carefully placed Eden in the back and slipped in beside her.

"How the hell did you ruin this chance?" Matthew asked when they pulled away from the Convention Centre. "I mean, I hand-delivered her to you in a black dress and sparkly shoes. What more did you need? I thought you wanted to fix things, and that's why I invited her?"

"I do," Liam grunted. "But shit's gotten more complicated. Take us to Forrest Creek. We have to pick Aiden up."

"Why?" Matthew turned in his seat. "Didn't you say you'll meet him when you come back?"

"I did," Liam replied. "But I want them with me tonight."

His cousin nodded, returned his attention to the road, and took the off-ramp leading to Eden's neighbourhood.

Sitting in the front with his brother, Julian stirred to life with the one question Liam would rather not get into. "Why the hell was Eden so agitated?"

But he answered him anyway as he took off his jacket and loosened his bow tie. "She had a run-in with Aleksei and Laura."

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