He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (24 page)

“Jeff…”

“You don’t have to say a thing, ’lizbeth. I know you shtill want me. An’ I want you just as much as you want me.”

“Seriously? Jeff, you are
delusional
.” I try to shove my chair a foot away from him, my anger building, but he’s holding my shoulder with one hand as he touches my face with the other. The look in his eyes tells me I
need to get away, but it’s too late. I see his face leaning towards me, and the grip he has on me is getting tighter. I try to pull away from him before his lips meet mine, but I’m too slow. The damage has been done.

I push him off. I am sitting in the middle of a full restaurant, so why is there no one here when I need them?

“Libby, I want you. I need to have you.” He moves his hand from my face and runs it down the front of my body, finally resting it on my leg.

“Jeff, I do
not
want
you
,” I say, my voice getting louder. “Go away!”

“No, I
really
want you,” he growls as he attempts to slide his hand under my dress.

“I SAID, I DON’T WANT YOU! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!”

“I think you heard the lady,” Alex hisses, pulling Jeff to his feet. Jeff struggles to stay upright, but I’m not sure if that’s Alex’s hand on Jeff’s wrist or the alcohol Jeff’s indulged in.

“Yeah, I heard her, but I know her better’n you. All you want is a quick fumble, nothing more. I’ll be the one still here after you’ve dumped her and gone back to the States,” snarls Jeff. I think he’s trying to sound gallant, but it comes out sounding more like a threat. “I’ll be the one left here to pick up the pieces.”

I realise that all the people in the room have their attention turned to our table when I hear whispers
and gasps. Ethan has me wrapped in his protective arms, and Michael is trying to coax Alex into letting go of Jeff. Alex looks pissed off, whilst Jeff just looks pissed. That I find funny because he was always so against drink.

Suddenly the room is a rush of activity, with security all heading in our direction. They take Jeff from Alex, and I can only presume he will get escorted off the premises. I feel Ethan’s protective arms leave me, only to be replaced by Alex’s. I lean my head on his chest, close my eyes, take several deep breaths, and finally relax in Alex’s arms. I am fighting the urge to cry. How could this day get so bad?

“I am sorry, baby,” Alex says.

“Sorry for what?” I lift my head slightly to look at him, and our eyes lock. His eyes grow wide. “I am sorry for leaving you alone and for you having to go through that. Although I am really surprised that he was ever your boyfriend. He doesn’t deserve someone like you.”

“Okay, point made. And I am not going to let him ruin our day anymore.” I smile at him. “Have you finished your meet and greet? Because if you have, can we get out of here and just head to my parents’ so I can relax?”

“Of course, baby, whatever you want,” he answers, hugging me tightly.

“You’re leaving already?” Michael says.

“Yes.”

“Well, do you mind if I take off? I am going to go catch up with Kirsty.”

“Go ahead,” Alex says. I don’t even have the inclination to question Michael.

Andrew gets a taxi for Michael, who heads off to pay Kirsty a visit. I hope he behaves with her. As much as Kirsty likes games, I don’t want her to be taken advantage of or to get hurt. But I’m sure she’s more than capable of looking after herself.

While I’m lost in thought worrying about her, Ethan has organised things so that we don’t have to leave through the main entrance. I love my brother. I don’t think I could face that again today.

14

“HEY, ARE YOU
all right?” Alex asks as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Yeah, it’s just been a challenging day with one thing and another. And we still have to talk,” I murmur, thinking about today’s turn of events and the conversation from last night with my parents. I am curious to hear about how he built his empire. I’m sitting in the back of the car leaning against Alex, who’s had his arms wrapped round me since we left the football. I close my eyes to take a few moments for myself, and I feel myself relax for the first time today. I feel Alex’s fingers trace my shoulder. His breath tickles my neck. I’m afraid to open my eyes. What if this is all a dream?

“Libby? Baby?”

The sensuality in his voice has my stomach in knots, and my heart skips a beat. My mind is racing. Am I always going to feel like this around him?

“What?” I whisper, looking timidly into those beautiful, brown eyes, eyes that could tell a thousand stories. Maybe one day I will hear all the stories he has to tell.

“We’ll talk back at the hotel when we’re alone, okay?” he says.

The journey from the stadium to my parents’ isn’t a long one, but it’s a challenging drive with all the winding country roads. Everyone’s quiet, even Ethan, and we all seem to be lost in our own thoughts. I’m looking forward to sitting in my parents’ having a comfortable, relaxing time with some good food—and no unwanted guests or media.

Both my parents are great cooks. Because of my father’s line of work, they entertain often, whether at home or out. Mum did most of the cooking at home when I was growing up, always using fresh ingredients and never any of the processed crap that fills the shop shelves. I used to love watching and helping her.

By the time we pull into the long drive of my parents’ house, I definitely feel more at ease. This is home; it always has been, and it probably always will be. It’s changed a lot over the years. It was once a small, cosy cottage, or so I have been told, but it’s been extended over the years. I don’t remember it ever being small.

The car stops in front of the house. Mark tells me to phone him when we’re ready to leave, and he will take Alex and me back to the hotel. Ethan plans to stay here tonight. Mum must be in her element, having both Ethan and Lucy to spoil all night.

“This place is great,” Alex says as he gets out of the car and looks around. “How much land is there here?” God, so, so much. Ethan and I used to get lost for hours playing.

“I really don’t know. You’d need to ask my dad,” I say, smiling at him with what I think is pride. I am glad he likes my family home.

I grab Alex’s hand and drag him inside. Ethan is already way ahead of us. He must have been missing Lucy. As we walk through the house, the smell coming from the back is amazing. Dad has already started cooking on the BBQ.

“Hi, Mum,” I say as we enter the kitchen. She smiles when she looks between us. I still have a hold of Alex’s hand. I look at him. He smiles and shrugs lightly.

“Hi, sweetheart, Alex. Did you have fun at the football?”

“Yes, it was a great game, great atmosphere. It has me wondering what an Old Firm game would be like,” Alex says enthusiastically.

“Oh, don’t get Phil started on that…”

“Get Phil started on what?” My father enters the kitchen as if right on cue.

“Alex was just wondering about the atmosphere at an Old Firm game, dear,” Mum says as she hands him a plate with raw steaks on it.

“Well, Alex, follow me and I can tell you while I cook these.” Dad looks happy, and Alex looks interested.

“Where’s Ethan?” I ask, looking around and not hearing any noise.

“When he came in, I was pacing the floor with Lucy. She’s still a bit hot, so he took her out into the garden. Why don’t you go and get them? You seem to have a way with our beautiful girl.”

“Are you sure? Do you need a hand with anything in here?”

“On you go. Give your brother a hand.” Mum gives me a reassuring smile. “Oh, Libby, I seen the statement Alex made today. You know you can talk to me anytime. No pressure—when you want to talk, I’m here. But I think this relationship is going to work out just fine.”

I can only nod in response as I head outside in search of my brother. It doesn’t take me too long to find him. He’s at the far end of the back lawn singing. I love hearing him sing. He has such a beautiful voice. He is cradling Lucy in his arms. Such a wonderful sight. I can see the love he has for his baby girl. I stand watching them for a few moments.

When he stops singing, I approach. He’s looking down anxiously at his daughter. Lucy does seem a bit on the grumpy side.

“What do you think is wrong with her? I don’t have a clue. Maybe I’m not cut out for all this.”

“Is this coming from the same person who just sang so beautifully to his little girl? She’s just going to be like the rest of us, with good days and bad. Besides, even Mum doesn’t know what’s up with Lucy today, and she’s the one with the experience, not us. Anyway, give her to me; I’ll go change her and see if that helps.” He places my niece in my arms.

She’s definitely out of sorts, crying in my arms. I try to comfort her with soothing words to no avail. I leave Ethan with my dad and Alex, who smiles at me with his eyebrows raised. I pass him and head inside. His smile takes my breath away.

“Mum?” I call, entering the kitchen.

“Yes, Libby. Is Lucy all right?”

“Mum, do you think she could be teething?” I ask. Well, I don’t know much about babies.

“You know, sweetie. You’re absolutely right—that is a possibility. You know, when your time comes, you’ll be a great mother.”

“Mum…I’m going to change her. Where are all her things?” I’ve never really thought much about having kids, and until the first time I held Lucy in my arms, I wasn’t sure I even wanted them. Once I held this precious girl, I knew I did…but not for a good few years yet.

“In the living room. I’ll send your dad for some teething gel for this little one. For now give her a
piece of ice—wrap it in a cloth so she doesn’t choke—to chew on. That’ll help her some.”

I’m sitting on the sofa with Lucy in my arms. She’s content for the moment, cooing at me, and it’s not long before a very familiar feeling runs through me. I glance up to find Alex watching me intently. How long has he been there?

“Do you need something? Or are you just standing there admiring the view?”

“I like the view, of course, but I wanted to see if
I
could help
you
. But you seem to have the situation in hand.” He walks towards me and plops down beside me on the sofa. “She is such a beautiful baby. I see a lot of you and Ethan in her.”

“Do you? I only see one person when I look at her: Lindsay. She’s her mother’s double,” I say. I can hear the sadness in my own voice.

“I should confess that I was only being polite about seeing if you needed a hand. Babies and I don’t usually go very well together.”

Babies and him don’t go well? We’ll see about that. I turn slightly towards him. “Nonsense. Are you ready?” Without giving him a chance to refuse, I hand Lucy to him. “Relax. If you don’t, she’ll sense your tension.” He looks terrified. “So how come you’re inside when there’s all the footie talk outside?” I ask, smiling. He’s relaxing a little.

“Ethan and your dad went off to a shop for teething gel. I’m guessing that’s for this little one.” His
smile is infectious. I love seeing him smile. I see that Lucy does too. She’s staring up at him. “You’re all such a close family.” His face has darkened, saddened.

“Yeah, I suppose we are really close. We have our moments like most families, but the bond between Ethan and me—I really can’t put in into words. And as for this little one…” I tickle Lucy under her chin, and I am rewarded with a giggle. “She has insured that the bond stays firmly in place. She means the world to us all. She’s so precious.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Alex looks down at Lucy and then back at me with admiration in his eyes. “It must be hard on Ethan.”

“Alex, you really have no idea,” I say, looking at Lucy. She’s settling into his arms. Her tiny eyelids are heavy, and she’s struggling to keep them open. Only a matter of time.

“Tell me, then.” His voice is softer. “Help me understand.”

“Ethan couldn’t bring himself to look after Lucy at first. Mum and I went to hospital and brought her home, as he couldn’t even manage that. I moved into his house, which was right next door to his anyway, and I did everything in this little one’s first few weeks home, from getting up for nighttime feeds to bathing her, taking her out for walks, chatting with the health visitors. You name it, and I did it.”

I lower my voice. Lucy’s asleep.

“Ethan couldn’t even do much of anything for himself. He was deeply depressed for weeks. I hated seeing him like that, but I made Lucy my first priority. He wouldn’t even hold her. He was completely broken, but then…he’d lost the love of his life. That broke my heart. After a month or so, I spoke with the doctor and health visitor. They both made suggestions on how to help him. I was to start off easy with him—you know, start by leaving the room when Lucy got upset to see if he would go to her. I didn’t leave her screaming for long periods of time, of course. At first I would stand at the room door and watch him. After a few days of this, he still hadn’t made any attempts to go to her. I thought it would never work. Then one day I had to deal with a problem at work over the phone, and it took a bit of time to work things out. I could hear Lucy crying—she was so upset!—and it went on for a bit longer than I would’ve let it. And then there was silence. I was a little scared, actually, and when I ended the call, I ran in and heard him sobbing.”

Alex listened intently. I caught him tucking Lucy’s blanket up around her more tightly.
Don’t go well, indeed
.

“I found Ethan standing in the middle of the room, cradling her, his tears flowing down. He was so upset. He held her as if his life depended on her, and in a way, it did. I knew then that they would be okay, and it made me happy…and a little sad too. And that
was the first time he really spoke to me in nearly six weeks. He asked for my help. He wanted me to show him how to care for her.”

I look at the beautiful girl now. She’s sound asleep in Alex’s arms without a care in the world.

“Libby, you truly are an amazing person,” Alex says. He leans forwards, trying not to disturb sleeping beauty, and places a slow kiss on my lips.

“Thank you, but he’s my brother, and I would do it all in a second again for him if I had to.” It’s true. I would. “I’m just so relieved that he’s doing so well now with her on his own. It’s been a long road. I made some tough decisions that affected us both, but in the long run, I know they were the right decisions to make. He knows I’m always here when he needs me, but I knew the longer I stayed doing everything, the harder it would be to walk away from her.” The tears run slowly down my face. Alex wipes them away with his free hand. His touch is warm and gentle on my face.