Chapter 25
Maxwell
Barely restrained fury radiated through my entire body. What is he doing here? A sour taste was in my mouth as I forced myself to stalk away from the trio, unwilling to cause a scene at such a public event. We had already earned ourselves more than one look from the gossiping vultures around us.
Sophie looked incredible, her curves sheathed in emerald green, making her eyes look huge and bright.
Her long blonde hair was shining, thick curls draping over her shoulder and down her back.
Even in a tuxedo, you could tell the man with her was out of place.
His hulking form surrounded both Sophie and Eloise.
The familiarity, the connection between the three, hurt more than anything else.
Swiping my forehead, I was surprised to see my hands shaking. Am I getting sick? I didn’t know how to feel. It felt like my thoughts were all jumbled, and I couldn’t think clearly. My head and body felt separate from one another, like I was floating above myself.
But even in that dream-like state, I was having a physical reaction to something—probably the sight of Sophie in that dress. I was tingling, flashing from hot to cold, and I was so aroused it was embarrassing. I hadn’t had sex in weeks, couldn’t think of touching anyone but Sophie.
Seeing her then, I felt my heart race, a primal beat telling my soul to claim my mate, my person. I didn’t miss the whispers as I walked back to my table.
“Who is that man with the Townsend heir? They’re just adorable together!” One of Mother’s closest friends muttered, the women surrounding her nodding in agreement.
“Did Sophie finally start dating? Damn, how did I miss my chance? You think they’re serious?” This was from my CFO—a man I had trained personally and worked with for nearly a decade.
“Talk about an upgrade.” That burned the most. What does anyone see in that oaf?
Each comment was said with such confidence, I had to wonder if it was true.
I turned once again to try to catch another glimpse of my family.
A flash of green caught my eye—Sophie making her way over to say hello to Pops.
Meanwhile, a head above everyone else was her giant, carrying Eloise across the dance floor.
My daughter had her head resting on his shoulder, the two whispering to each other.
The connection between them was undeniable.
That was my little girl, clinging to another man like he was her lifeline.
This was bigger than me and Sophie; I had to put an end to it before he turned everyone against me.
“Maxwell!” Mother’s hissed voice rang over me.
“What is going on? What is this I’m hearing about Sophie showing up with that man? Did she tell you he was coming?” I sighed, not wanting to deal with her.
“His family has a table. He’s related to Judge Lennox.
I didn’t know he would be here.” Somehow, I felt like a schoolboy trying to defend myself, but it was a useless battle.
I never could win against my mother’s outrageous rules and expectations.
It didn’t help that I did know his mother was a judge, but I had forgotten.
My focus solely on Sophie, the file I read on Linc so long ago was nothing but a faded memory. Useless information—or so I thought.
“This is unacceptable! Do you hear what people are saying? How this makes us look?” If they could have moved, I imagined her eyebrows would be up to her hairline by that point.
Instead, Mother had the same face on—the one that hadn’t moved in decades.
Her eyes were full of disapproval as she gazed around the room, as if trying to kill her enemies by sight alone.
“What is it you want me to do here, Mother? Kick him out? Make a scene? How will that help us? You are the one who wants me with Nat, who has pushed for us to stay together. You have done everything to try to erase Sophie from our lives. When will it be enough?” I was tired of it. All the mind games and power plays.
If I had just been focusing on what was important this whole time, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Sophie was my priority. Getting her back as my wife was all I could focus on. To hell with what people had to say. I was tired of being at the whims of people who didn’t give two shits about me.
Not to mention, the last few conversations with my lawyer were eye-opening. The truth was that we didn’t have anything to hold over Sophie. The chances of anyone in my family besides Pops getting custody of Lou were incredibly low, according to the first, second, and third lawyers I spoke with.
Not only had I signed and agreed to the current custody agreement, but there were well-documented arguments prepared to prove me unfit if I pushed for more. Meanwhile, Sophie had a perfect record. There would be no reason to take Eloise away.
“What has gotten into you?” Mother hissed, stepping closer, as if that would somehow quiet our conversation.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You’ve been acting like this for weeks now.
Is it jealousy? Because of that man Sophie is parading about?
” Mother asked, her eyes squinting as she watched my face for any response.
I clenched my jaw as I tried to keep my face void of emotion.
“Sophie is the mother of my only child. I have the right to know what she’s doing and who she’s spending time with. Especially if it includes my daughter,” I told her, the lie coming easily, just as she taught me.
“Bullshit,” she said, and I looked at her, startled. Mother was truly shaken—more than I had ever seen before—and all pretense was gone.
“You are my son, Maxwell, and I know you better than you know yourself. You weren’t happy when you were with Sophie because you wanted Natalia.
Now, you’re not happy with Nat because you think you want Sophie.
Since you can’t seem to make up your mind, I’ve had to step in and take control of this ship.
“As my son, as the male heir to the Townsend family fortune, I expect more of you. It’s time for you to grow the fuck up.
We have damage control to do. Our reputations are on the line, which means our livelihoods are as well.
I’m not going to be around forever, and I am not going to lose everything I’ve worked my entire life for because of you. ”
“Worked?” I snorted, raising an eyebrow at her. Mother had never lifted a finger a day in her life, so I was not sure what “work” she was referring to, unless it was spa and shopping trips.
“Yes. I work every day. To help this family. To protect you and make sure your poor decisions from the past don’t haunt us forever.
Take a look around you. The people here, that watch on your wrist, the Aston Martin you drove up in.
All of that could be gone in a second. Walter dies, and everything goes to Eloise.
What then? Sophie will move her boy toy into a mansion on our block while we become the laughing stock of the entire town. ”
“Eloise is my daughter. If Pops left it to her, I’m sure I would still have access,” I replied, even as unease skittered down my spine.
“Unlike you, I know better than to put my fate in other people’s hands.
I’m the one who made it so your father’s stock in the company went to us to make sure they couldn’t cut us out.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get kicked off the board and fired.
I know you have misused corporate funds.
You’re the one who taught me how to do it, after all.
If anyone were to look through the finances, getting removed from the board will be the least of your worries.
This is your last warning. Fix this mess before there’s nothing left for any of us.
We’ll all be out on the streets while Sophie looks down on us.
” With that parting jab, my mother stalked away with her party smile firmly in place.
A childish giggle rang out as I saw my daughter sitting on Linc’s lap, surrounded by family members who interacted with each other with familiarity and comfort. Have I already lost them? It was all Mother and Nat’s fault that I never got to bond with Eloise.
Mother’s distaste for her was evident from the get-go, but I had allowed that to sway my actions.
I let Sophie do all the heavy lifting, assuming the alimony payments and trust fund were enough of a contribution.
Seeing Sophie and Eloise surrounded by Linc and his family, my stomach dropped.
They looked cozy, and begrudgingly, I admitted that Mother was right. I need to fix this mess.
Dinner was a strained affair, but I couldn’t find it in me to care.
The people seated closest to me faded to white noise as I stared across the room.
Sophie and Lou at another table, looking joyful with big smiles, was captivating.
All eyes were on them, and I hated it. Neither Sophie or Eloise had ever looked at ease like that—at least, not around me.
I didn’t taste any of my dinner, drinking most of the meal instead.
Nat kept leaning over me, touching me under the table and trying to get my attention, but I couldn’t focus.
The voices carried over me, through me, but were nothing more than warped static.
Plates changed, silverware was switched, but all I could see, all I could focus on, was Sophie.
All I could hear was the thumping of my heart, as if it were trying to break free from my chest and get to her.
It was palpable. Pain as I had never known before rocked through me at the sight of her.
From my scalp to my fingertips, my entire body felt electrified, a buzz under my skin that wouldn’t ease until I got close to her, skin on skin.
As if shaken from a stupor, a flash of red caught my eye.
Lindsey, dressed like a Vegas showgirl, was standing across the room.
She hadn’t provided anything useful since she arrived.
This was her last chance to help me out.
We hadn’t spoken except for when I had made sure she received the invite and would arrive on time.
Studying her, I thought back to that moment in my office when she so easily offered herself to me.
At that moment, I was sure I could have gotten anything I wanted out of her.
I couldn’t deny that the idea of getting both of Linc’s women was heady.
As I watched Lindsey, I caught it when a pained look crossed her face before she wiped it clean as she focused on somebody across the room.
Following her gaze, I saw Sophie. Her head was tilted back in laughter, a flush rising from the champagne.
The bodice of her dress nipped in at the waist and showed her more than ample chest. It felt like everything disappeared around me. All I could see was Sophie. She was my beacon in the madness. Nothing felt right when she wasn’t around. My skin felt too tight, my body feverish.
Heat was rising within me, torching my body slowly. The only refuge I could see, the oasis in the desert, was my Sophie. I would make her mine. She would remember who she belonged to. Putting her empty glass down, I watched as she excused herself before heading for the restroom.
Hypnotized by the sway of her hips and the slope of her neck, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. My blood heated, my heart rate increasing as my cock hardened. After months of disuse, it was rising to attention, begging to get closer to Sophie.
Maxwell: Get her to the small courtyard near the back entrance.
I typed the message out quickly, not wanting to lose the opportunity to reach Sophie when she wasn’t surrounded by protectors.
Lindsey looked at her phone, and a few emotions flitted across her face before she settled on resolve.
Bringing the champagne flute up to her lips, she gulped down a mostly full glass before following in Sophie’s wake.
Forcing myself to move, I muttered an excuse before leaving the table.
I could feel eyes on my back as I headed for the restroom.
Once out of sight of the party, I made my way to the courtyard, where I would wait to finally have my moment with Sophie.
Where I could finally get my family back, no matter what it took.
She would bend to my will. I was in control now.