Page 90 of The Disputed Legacy
“I intended to be there. To tell you what was happening. My brothers were going to help you gather and pack whatever you needed. But I saw a man waiting out back, and I got into a little incident with him.”
“You killed him.”
I nodded, not denying it and proud that she didn’t freak out. “Yes, because in my life, it’s a matter of kill or be killed. He was ordered to kill you in front of me to get me to stand down. So, yes, I killed him. Because he was there, I worried someone could’ve gotten upstairs already. I asked my brothers to go up there and stand by until I was done with that man, but it sounds like they found someone else up there and they determined that they had to extract you and Oscar as quickly as possible.”
She didn’t react, watching me closely as I explained. Checking her over for any obvious injuries, I continued to caress her arms.
“Those men were your brothers?”
“Damon grabbed Oscar and I thought Maxim was supposed to grab you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That was your brother too?”
I nodded.
“I didn’t know—until Oscar got chatty today—that you evenhavebrothers. No matter how close we’ve gotten, I still don’t know you, Saul. I don’t know enough about you to be able to believe that you understand that the man who owns me willnotbe stopped.”
“Then you’re about to get a crash course on exactly who I am and where I come from,” I told her. As the car pulled into the back of the property, I lifted my chin.
She scanned the surroundings, trying to see what was outside as we slowed, then parked.
I guided her to face me again, turning her chin to me. “But just remember, no matter what you learn and realize, I’m stillme. I’m still the guy who put up with lousy chicken BLTs just to have an excuse to see you every night until I could understand this ache that hit me each time I saw you leave.” I pressed her hand over my chest, atop where my heart beat so wildly for her. “It meant that I loved you.”
She swallowed hard, staring at me with so many questions. Doubt swirled in her eyes, but her open expression gave me hope that she believed me.
“Because I do, Willow. I love you, no matter what.”
“But…”
I stole another kiss, sure that she’d be stunned when she got inside. I wasn’t confident that we’d have time to kiss later as I showed her exactly who I was and what I represented. Plus, I wasn’t going to be tempted for a single kiss, touch, or fuck until she told me who the hell dared to own her. That conversation would happen.
Introducing her to my world would be overwhelming. It was a lot to take in. This was why I wanted to earn her trust before showing her. It would be a whirlwind, and I didn’t want her to sink under the weight of my reputation.
The door opened, and she slid out first, but she didn’t let go of my hand. As soon as we were both standing, with her looking around cautiously, Oscar launched at her. “Mama!”
I didn’t let go of her hand, gripping it tightly as she hugged Oscar to her side as tightly as she could. Even though reliefwas clear on her face that she was reunited with her son, she remained nervous.
“You could’ve given me a warning,” Maxim growled as he exited another car, giving Willow a stern look.
“About what?” I shot back. I was upset that he and Damon had to go ambush her without me there. But I understood that time hadn’t been on our side.
“You said she was independent and stubborn. You didn’t give me a heads up that she would try to hold her own.”
I glanced at Willow, who gave him a wary glare.
Maxim rubbed his face, and I realized that swollen area was because he’d been hit.
“If you’re waiting for an apology, it won’t be coming,” she said.
Maxim shared a look with me and I could only laugh. “She punched you?”
He smirked.
“Willow,” I said as I walked with her and Oscar, leading her inside, “this is my brother, Maxim.”
“Anotherbrother?” Oscar asked with awe. Now that he was reunited with his mom and saw that she was fine, he wasn’t as scared.
“My oldest brother,” I told them as we stopped at the entrance to the building. Willow lifted her gaze, eyeing it all with wonder and marvel, like she couldn’t believe she was in a place like this.
