All In (Keep Breathing Book 2), стр. 79
My skin prickles in apprehension as his brown eyes glaze deeper into mine.
“Maybe you’ve seen pictures? Your mom took hundreds last time we were together.”
“No, that’s not it.” He taps his chin. “I swear I’ve seen you somewhere else before.”
“Landon!” Liam roars as he marches between us. “What are you doing here?” He stares down his brother and the hostility in the room has magnified. The tension gives me goosebumps.
Landon chuckles. “I don’t know, bro. Last time I checked this was my family home, so I’m assuming the same thing you are. To have dinner.”
“I was told you weren’t coming.”
“Changed my mind.” He shrugs. “I thought it was time to finally meet my nephew and the girl who stole your heart.”
Liam throws his arm over my shoulder and tucks me in close to his side. Possessiveness radiates off him. It’s not something I have ever dealt with when it comes to Liam.
Landon ignores Liam's hostility and smiles brightly at me.
“Holly, I stopped by the building today and saw the new features. It looks so great in there that it got me thinking I should do something in the California offices. Maybe you can do the same for me as you did for my brother.”
“Not going to happen,” Liam grits out and I can see his teeth grind from here.
“Wouldn’t that be up to her?” Landon points to me.
“Stay away from her!”
“Stay away?” Landon rolls his eyes. “All I’m asking…”
“I know what you’re asking. Now cut it out.”
My eyes dart between the pair, feeling very unsettled by what is going on here. These two men, who look exactly the same, who by nature should love each other, are seconds away from throwing down. Especially the man who holds me tight in his arms. There’s zero love pouring from him. It’s pure contempt.
Landon holds up his hands. “Alright. I get it. Down boy."
"We're leaving." Liam pulls me back, taking me by surprise.
"Liam…" I go to argue and he glares down at me, fire shooting out of his eyes that makes me shrivel in response.
"Don't argue," he says tightly, and I nod.
"Damn, bro. When did you become so controlling?"
"There you all are.” Sylvia’s voice rings through the air. “Liam, your little boy was looking for you.”
“Daddy, look.” Matty shows Liam a half-eaten lollipop which has turned his lips blue.
“I hope you don’t mind that I gave him a little treat before dinner.” She smiles.
"Mom, we are leaving." Liam grabs my hand and Matty’s.
“Because of that?” She points to the lollipop. “I didn’t know he couldn’t have sweets.”
“No because of him.” Liam stabs his finger at his brother. Landon puts his hands up defensively but chuckles cockily.
“God, bro. Love you too.
“Shut up. You know what you did.” Liam's venomous words shake.
This goes much deeper than what Liam told me. These brothers are at war and a line in the sand has been drawn between them. This is some kind of nuclear emotional deception.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
LIAM
I’m pissed.
No, pissed doesn’t describe what I’m feeling. I’m boiling. My brother is the last person I needed to come toe to toe with tonight or any other night for that matter. Especially, not with Holly by my side.
I’ve spent the last month and a half trying to put the truth behind me and make my story the actual reality. To convince myself what I feel for Holly and Matty is all that matters. But the reality is, I can’t wash away all the pain that lingers right away. I’m still fighting my demons that creep out every once in a while when I think of my brother. The last thing I want to do is take it out on them, so I hide behind work, behind sex, my normal go to’s to numb my thinking.
Now I have neither coping mechanism to fall back on as I stare down my twin, who cockily smiles at me, while my son grips onto my leg.
I should’ve known when he texted me yesterday saying he was in town he would show up where I was.
“Boys! You need to cut it out,” my mother berates us as Landon and I stare each other down.
“Daddy,” Matty says softly and tugs on my pants leg, bringing me back down to the reality.
My eyes dart around to the deck. My mom and Holly look worried at my outburst. I see the wheels turning in Holly's brain. Landon, though, looks unaffected. Doesn't he get what he's doing? Him being here is fucking everything up.
“It’s okay, bub,”
“So, this is Matty? It's nice to finally meet the little guy.” Landon bends down and puts out his hand. Matty slides his arm around my leg and hides his head behind my leg.
“You’ll have to excuse him, he’s shy around new people,” Holly tells him, though I wish she wouldn’t reassure him.
"You don’t have to be shy around me; I’m not new. Think of it as me and your dad are pretty much like the same person."
"No. We're not," I grit out and pull my son closer to me.
"But we are. I’m like another Dad.” He smiles slyly and glances up at me.
My fists clench to my sides as Matty hides further between my legs. Yes, baby boy, hide. Don’t take his shit either. If there wasn’t anybody here, I would knock him on his ass.
Landon goes for him and Matty screams. "Dude, back off.” I shove him back. “He'll go to you when he's ready."
"Maybe the seeing double scares him," Holly says, lifting Matty into her arms. She kisses him on the cheek and tells him it’s okay.
"Or maybe he doesn’t like you." I glare at