How Far He's Willing To Go ~Laila The gala held in honour of Kael's new partnership with Blackwood Co., quickly turns into mine and my son's spotlight. Our son. After all, I am legally married to Kael Blackwood. My Ex-husband's brother. Kael leans down, picking a giddy Liam up. A rare smile stretches his lips. A genuine smile. In the three years of our tense and distant marriage, we've been no better than strangers sharing a roof. But Liam has somehow become Kael's pride and joy. As he is mine. I exhale a quiet sigh of relief. My eyes shift to Cameron who's now staring between Kael and I in disbelief. A moment ago, when Liam ran at him. I would pay a fine fee to know what went through his mind. Kael walks over to me, Liam held up in one arm. He stops a few paces away, and doesn't even try to hide how his eyes trail down my form from head to toe. His expression doesn't change but I've learnt to note the subtle signs of his satisfaction. Like the quirk in his brow at this moment. He offers me his elbow and I take it, smiling up at him like a woman hopelessly in love. I've had three years to perfect a lovesick look, all for this moment and I guess I sell it well enough that Kael looks momentarily dazed. He shakes his head quickly and guides me over to his family. The Blackwoods. There's a wide eyed Cameron, Sarah with her mouth agape, and a stunned Mr Blackwood, Kael and Cameron's grandfather. And of course, the dozens of amazed guests that we walk by. It's like an episode of the Ex-wife's return. They're all staring at me like they've seen a ghost. I was banished, not dead. "Grandfather... this is Laila." Kael introduces like he has no idea I'm already well acquainted with his family. "My wife." I smile curtly. "And this little hazard here is Liam, our son." He adds, ruffling Liam's hair fondly. Liam giggles. Clutching Kael's hand to pull it away from messing up his hair. Grandfather Blackwood clears his throat. "Well? Aren't you going to introduce me to my great grandson?" Kael quickly rectifies it. "Liam, this is Daddy's grandfather. Which makes him...?" "The old man." Liam replies innocently. Kael looks mortified. I bite back my laughter. But Grandfather Blackwood doesn't. His laughter booms across the hall. "Come here, boy." He reaches for Liam, taking him away from Kael. "Aren't you a dashing young man?" Grandfather Blackwood bounces Liam on his hip, completely forgetting the audience. Particularly, Cameron and Sarah who are still too shocked to form any words. Finally, he turns to me, smiling in approval. "Here I thought I'd join my fathers without a new Blackwood heir. You've done well, Laila." Grandfather Blackwood praises. "And so soon too." I lower my eyes shyly, a bashful smile on my lips. "Kael...was eager." Grandfather Blackwood chuckles. "He should be. You learn what it means to be a man, and an Alpha, only when you have your own family." He strides off, taking Liam with him. We don't linger. With a hand rested on the small of my back, a silent claim, Kael guides me into the crowd of guests. - About a half hour later, I'm sitting on a bench out in a courtyard. The gala is being held at Elysian Hotel, an elite, high-end hotel. I found out a few months into our marriage that my rogue husband, the supposed outcast and vagabond biker, owns more than a few high-end structures in Thorneville. Including this hotel. Apartment complexes, restaurants and nightclubs. Kael Blackwood was never what anyone thought he was. Except about his obsession with leathers and bikes. That was extremely accurate. Kael is in a private discussion with one of the guests and I finally got the opportunity to sneak away and get some fresh air. Grandfather Blackwood has disappeared somewhere with Liam and I'm doing everything I can to prevent myself from hunting him down and snatching back my son. "Laila." I glance up to see Josh, Cameron's beta, staring down at me. "Cameron wants to see you." He says, I frown slightly. Of course he sends Josh to fetch me rather than coming himself. It is very typical of Cameron. Three years ago, I would go running. Not today. Not ever again. "I should get back to Kael." I murmur, getting up to leave. Josh moves so he's standing in my way. "You should see Cameron first, Laila." "Excuse you?" I hiss, glaring up at him. "I mean no disrespect." He adds. "You tell Cameron that I have nothing to say to him. If he has something to say, he should come to me himself." I turn, storming away in the opposite direction. I walk fast, desperate to find my way back to the gala before Josh catches up. Or worse, Cameron. A hand grabs mine and pulls me into a room. My breath hitches and my first instinct is to scream, but Kael's scent hits me before his voice does. "Hush," his breath is warm against my ear, "What are you doing?" I hiss, shoving at his chest. He doesn't budge. Instead, he hoists me up, placing me on a desk across from the door. The wood is cold enough to feel it through my dress. Kael parts my legs so he's standing between them, his arms are braced on either side of me and his expression is eerily calm. But his eyes... they're predatory. Like his wolf side is on the surface. I glare up at him. "If I did something wrong, or if you didn't like how I played my part, you can say it. But don't manhandle me like..." He cuts me off. "You were perfect." His voice is low. "Too perfect." I blink, stunned. "What?" Kael leans in, "It's been three years, Laila," he murmurs, his fingers brushing the hem of my dress. "Three years of cold beds and colder walls. That wasn't the bargain." I swallow hard. "Kael..." "You want to play wife?" His fingers trace my thighs, lightly, but I feel the promise behind his words. "It's time to play all the way." My heart is pounding in my ears. He's never pushed for three years. I don't know why he's acting this way so suddenly. "He tells me you'll go running to him..." Kael's breath is ragged. "He dares run his mouth..." Shit. He and Cameron had a confrontation. Sending Josh to me must have been a test. And if I had gone with Josh, I would have proven Cameron right and brought shame to Kael. The Blackwood brothers are out to get each other... And I'm right in the middle of it. "Well? Will you?" The look in his eyes...the dark hunger in them, it's far from false. His eyes burn into mine. Asking, without asking. I nod. Just once. Parting my legs slightly without a word. Kael's lips crash down on mine. Fierce and demanding, his hands slip beneath my dress tugging down my underwear in one move. I shudder as the cold air brushes my skin, but when his breath hits my thigh, that shudder becomes a tremble. "You're mine, Laila." His voice is ragged now. "Say it." "I'm yours." His groan is low, guttural. Full of something dark and unspoken. He buries his head between my thighs, and when his tongue finds my sex, a breathless gasp escapes me. My back arches, my fingers curling in his hair. The door creaks. My eyes snap open, and I freeze. I see him then. Standing just outside, hidden in the shadow of the hallway, is Cameron. His eyes are locked on mine. He doesn't look away. And neither do I. It dawns on me. Everything was premeditated. To make sure Cameron sees us. This is how far Kael is willing to go. This is the extent of his cruelty.