Begin Again novel Chapter 186

Liam pulled Eden to the dance floor, not taking no for an answer. He needed to get her away from their table to figure out what was wrong with her.

But the moment he held her in his arms and they gently moved to the song—something about a lady in red—he forgot all his anger.

She felt so perfect in his embrace, like she was made for him and the thought of that Isaac dude dancing with her, touching her, holding her this closely sent him in a mild fit of rage.

He won't share Eden with anyone. And his kid won't be going on any more playdates with the lawyer. Not when he was alive and well.

Now that he knew about Aiden, Liam wanted nothing more than to rush to Eden's place, pack up their belongings and move them both to his house. But any moving—whether it was him or her and their son—would have to wait until he returned from his trip.

He subconsciously tightened his arms around her waist at the thought of being away from them for so long.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" He leaned down and kissed her temple after a tense stretch of silence broken by Eden's tearful sighs and the music still playing in the background.

Granted, receiving a nicely wrapped bullet from the mob was enough to rattle anyone, but he knew Aleksei wasn't the only reason for her anxiety. She was too highly strung.

"Nothing," Eden said softly, refusing to meet his eyes.

"It can't be nothing if you're drinking yourself to a stupor!" He carried on and held her closer when she tried to move away.

"I only had three glasses of champagne!" she murmured. "Besides, I thought the whole point of these events is to have fun."

"Are you having fun, though?" Liam asked as he paused and stared at her.

"I was until I ran into the crazy Russian," Eden said as she turned to walk away, but he quickly reeled her in, her back pressed to him as he wrapped his arms around her. She moved against him, gently grinding up on him, her hips swaying seductively to the music.

"What did he do to you?" he growled in her neck, breathing in her scent. "How badly did he hurt you?"

"It's nothing," she shook her head. "I'll be fine."

"I won't be okay knowing that bastard touched you!" He told her seriously as he spun her around her. The move was so sudden, Eden almost lost her balance.

"He sent you a death threat, and a small bruise on my arm is all you're worried about right now?" She asked, licking her lips anxiously.

Liam groaned and closed his eyes, praying for deliverance. But when he opened them again, the temptation was still there, even when he knew he shouldn't because there were millions of eyes on them. But God, he wanted to kiss her so badly. He needed her soft lips, her sweet tongue like a dying man in desperate need of water.

He grabbed her head and drew her in as his mouth descended on hers hungrily.

She tasted like a brewery, but he didn't care. All he was aware of was the warm heat swirling deep in his groin, aching for release.

"Do you trust me?" He asked hoarsely when they came up for air at last.

"What?" Eden whimpered as he flipped her around, pressing close to her, and they carried on moving in time with the song.

"Do you trust that I can take care of you and Aiden?"

"Yes," She cried breathlessly.

"Then why did you allow Ivanov to rattle you so much?" He demanded, kissing her neck.

"Because," she sighed tearfully. "He sent a bullet with your initials. Aren't you scared? Because I am."

"Listen to me," Liam paused and held her face in his hands. "I swear on my life I'll never let anything happen to you or Aiden."

"It's not Aiden or me he's after!" Eden shook her head. "He's very clear about the Lusso deal. Can't you back out of it?"

"And let go of six billion?" He growled softly, his eyes narrowing.

"Your life is worth more than six billion," Eden cried on his chest. "Aiden needs you. I need you. What are we supposed to do without you?"

"You talk as if I'm already gone," He pulled her closer and kissed her slowly. "I'm still here, Princess."

"Nothing bad, I promise."

"Stay away from Eden," he warned her softly. "Your issue is with me. Leave her out of it."

"No, Liam, I don't have an issue with you," Laura smiled, and for the first time in a very long while, she looked sincere. "Anyway, if you really 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 any woman who's not me, I think I'm ready now to let you go."

Liam narrowed his eyes at her as he searched her face for any hint of bitterness, convinced she's 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, though, a commotion at her table—the sounds of glass shattering and shocked gasps— caught his attention. Eden had dropped a jug of water while chatting with Isaac and was now swaying unsteadily on her feet.

Liam pushed his ex aside, and in a flash, he'd crossed the room and had Eden safely in his arms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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