Landon (The Love Family Series Book 5) (9 page)

Chapter 14

Landon glanced around at all of the news vans crammed into the courthouse parking lot. Edward had come through on getting them assembled on such short notice, with the promise of news that would devastate and turn the country on its head, and Alice wouldn’t disappoint. Their security team had canvassed the area for several hours before their scheduled appearance. Edward had gone as far as to call in some serious favors to get the bounty removed from Alice’s head, and yet, he still had snipers and ex-military nearby should any trouble occur.

“How do I look?” Alice asked, running her hand down her white dress.

“Like an angel,” Landon answered.

Her cheeks tinted the pretty pink that Landon loved. He couldn’t be any more proud of Alice than if it were him taking these creeps down. “I’ve got you,” he whispered to her and then kissed her hand. “I’ve always got you.”

“And I’ve got you back.” She winked.

Landon gave a gentle squeeze to her fingers. "Are you ready for this?"

He could feel her apprehension. It rivaled his. He lent her his strength and his confidence when, in reality, it was she that gave him reason to stand at all. To open himself up to his family and friends, to realize he was every bit of the man she needed and deserved. He had saved her life, and she had saved him in return.

Alice lifted her head and nodded toward the bailiff positioned outside the door. She was so strong, so ready. She gave a gentle squeeze and walked through the courtroom doors, and the media cameras turned on her for the first time. Apprehension ate at her spine, yet she lifted her chin, refusing to show any fear. The man that sold her sat regally in his black robe. His hair was greying around the ears, and yet, Alice felt nothing for the man. He might have donated the sperm, but this man would never be anything more.

She cleared her throat and clasped her hands. "Judge Best is the head of the Falcon Group, which is currently running a baby trafficking scheme, and I have the proof." She held the judge’s gaze. "Isn't that right, Father?"

The judge’s gaze locked on hers, and he rose slowly from his seat. “Young lady, I could have you arrested.”

“I don’t think so, Dad.”

“Judge Best, is this your daughter?” one of the reporters called out.

He denied it. “I’ve never seen that woman in my entire life.”

“Now that….that is not necessarily true. He saw me the day he killed my mother, which, incidentally, is the same day he sold me to the highest bidder.” She squeezed her hands together digging her nails into her skin. 

Collective gasps filled the air as a team of FBI agents entered the room.

“That’s a lie,” he said and rapped his gavel as if that would stop her words and make her disappear. “Bailiff, remove her from the courtroom this instant.”

“Now, Father, is that any way to talk to your offspring?” Edward asked as he walked in and stopped by Alice’s side.

“You! I should have known you’d be behind these lies.”

Edward held up a file in his hand. “I can prove everything she’s saying, down to the hit man you hired to kill her mother…and the more recent ones you sent to kill her as well.”

The judge quit talking as he watched the FBI agents approaching his bench. “This is an outrage.”   

“You know. I believe I’m the lucky one. I was raised by a man who was a better father than you could have ever been.” She narrowed her eyes, shooting daggers across the room. “I've survived twenty-nine years without you. Without your love, without knowing you were blood. You took my mother away, as if she was trash to be thrown out, and despite it all, despite what you took from me, it's because of you that I have so much more. I don't want your money. I don't want your name. I don’t want anything from you. I have my mother's strength, and her courage, and her conviction. And it’s her qualities in me, the same kind of woman you tried to discard, that will see you rot in hell.”

“Judge Best, drop the gavel and place your hands behind your back. You are under arrest for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and human trafficking.”

He did as asked without taking his eyes off Alice. All of the hate that Edward felt toward his father was returned in that single look as he stared at his children, and Landon lifted his chin and smiled.

The courtroom erupted in a matter of seconds as the judge was escorted out the room. Reporters clamored, shouting questions and demanding answers.

Edward stepped forward and held up his hands to quiet the crowds. “I only recently found my sister or I would have come forward sooner. These files have been sent to every one of your news stations and editors. It is despicable what my father has done, and I will not condone his actions or stand by his side. The information has been made public and brought out into the light in the hopes that, should anything happen to my sister or me, the issues will not go away, and those responsible for the travesty will be brought to justice. I have scheduled a news conference, and I will answer all of your questions at that time. Thank you.”

Edward turned and held out his arm in a gesture for Landon and Alice to walk ahead of him.

Alice stepped out of the courthouse, and her eyes locked with the one person she needed. She dropped Landon’s hand and made a dash into her sister’s waiting arms. Both girls cried and held each other, Emily’s words were but a whisper, but Landon could tell by the way she stroked her sister’s hair that things between them would never change, no matter Edward’s involvement.

Landon and Edward moved down the steps and toward the sisters. The crowd of onlookers had cameras pointed at the reunion.

“Ladies, I suggest we take this reunion some place more private.”

Chapter 15

One month turned into two, and Landon got to spend them with Alice, making sure that she would be okay in her new surroundings. Junior Perriman had been caught and had been charged with killing the parents who’d bought him. All of the families were now accounted for and the men responsible were being handled. The aftermath had been tremendous. The stolen children were now filing suit and having to try and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The men responsible were all behind bars and trying to cop a plea for giving each other up. Alice didn’t need Landon’s protection, not with Emily there to help. It didn’t hurt that she was a trained operative and someone Landon trusted.

Landon and Alice stood in the driveway. A limo stood waiting, and it was at this juncture that Landon knew his life would never be the same.

“Are you sure you have to go?” Alice asked, taking both of Landon’s hands into hers.

“Yeah,” he answered. “I’ve been given another assignment.” He slipped his hands free and cupped her face. “You’re good here. You’ve got Emily and Edward, and everything has settled down.”

Alice’s eyes searched his. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Aw, baby.” Landon pressed his lips against hers. “You know if I could stay longer, I would. I’ve got to go handle this new assignment so I can get it out of the way and won’t disappoint my brother. Avery and Reed are counting on me to be at their wedding.” He kissed her again, this time slowly and with purpose. He didn’t want to forget the way she tasted, the way she felt in his arms. “You’ve got a new life, new family, and you need to stay and find your groove. I get that. I wouldn’t dream of pulling you away. It’s too soon.” His face softened as he swiped away the tear that slipped free.

“So what now? Is this goodbye?”

He could feel the heartache pouring from her and had to strengthen his resolve. He’d convinced himself that this place, with her siblings, was exactly where she needed to be. “Think of it as a break. You can get things figured out, and at the end of the day, if you still feel the same way about me, then we’ll work out the rest.”

“Wait.” She dropped her hold. “You think that my feelings for you are based on the fact that you saved my life.”

Landon wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush to his body. “It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened to an operative. But that’s not what I’m implying. I’m saying I need you to be sure that I’m what you want. You deserve better than me, baby. You deserve so much more than I could ever give you.”

“No…” She shook her head.

“Yes.” He kissed her denial away. His heart was breaking into a million pieces. “Be good, and give them hell, Alice.”

Landon dropped his hold and moved to the limo. He glanced back at her one last time in an effort to memorize the face of the one woman who would own his heart forever. “I’ve always got you. You need me, you call.”

She stood in the driveway, her arms wrapped around her waist. She didn’t give him a reply, only stood watching him. Landon slid into the limo, shut the door, and hid behind the tinted glass. His entire chest felt as if it was about to cave in, even if he knew he was doing the right thing, the honorable thing.

A month later, Alice sat in the study like she did every day with her cup of coffee in hand as Edward, Emily and she discussed the status of the charity they’d established for the families affected by their father’s horrible deeds. Her gaze was out the window, her mind on the man who had left her and torn her heart into a million pieces. The snow drifted outside, reminding her of a time when it rained flower petals.

“Alice…” Edward’s voice broke through the fog.

“What? I’m sorry.” She turned her attention back to the conversation. “What were you saying?”

Edward and Emily exchanged a sad, knowing look. “I zoned out for a minute. I’m sorry.”

“Where did you go?” Emily asked.

“The snow reminded me of raining flower petals.” Her heart clenched remembering Landon’s arms wrapped around her while he shared his special place with her. She remembered his words.
You’re part of my special place now.

“Honey.” Emily reached over and squeezed Alice’s hand. “It doesn’t rain flowers. Did you hit your head and not tell us?”

Alice shook away the memories and shoved them out of her mind. “No, I’m fine.” And the truth was she was fine. Her heart ached, and the tears had stopped, but she was able to breathe again.

“It’s okay that you miss him,” Edward started.

“He’s a good man to miss,” Emily echoed.

“He is…I mean he was,” Alice answered. “No, he is.”

Edward flipped the portfolio closed on his desk and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. “I’m calling a family meeting.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Alice gave him a quizzical look.

“This family can’t work without everyone participating.”

Alice shot Emily a confused look. “We are participating.”

“No. We’re not. We’re missing a piece of our puzzle.”

“He’s right, Alice,” Emily added.

“Emily?” Alice’s mouth parted. 

“We’ll, it’s true.” Edward moved around the desk. He perched on the edge, grabbed a white envelope off the surface, and handed it out to her.

“What is this?” she asked, running her finger under the flap. She pulled out Reed and Avery’s wedding invitation. There was a sticky note on the front.

Your other invite is full of bullet holes, but you’re still expected to be here.

P.S. He’s miserable and grumpy, and I hold you responsible. Get your ass back here and fix this. Haven’t you both suffered enough!!!!!!

P.S.S. He’s a Love man, and they require an extra kick in their ass. Trust me on this.

P.S.S.S. He was trying to do the right thing….stupid….but in his mind it was because he loves you that he let you go. Now don’t make me come kick down your door. Get your ass back here.

“I think we have some arrangements to make.” Edward lifted up his invite, and so did Emily. They’d all been invited. “Ours had a sticky note too, and let’s just say your friend, Avery, uses colorful words. My note included instructions on how to keep my family jewels intact.”

“And mine said that she was calling in her favor for saving your life the first time, and if I had to drug you and drag your ass there, that we were not to miss her wedding or the Love family lunch the day before,” Emily added.

“And then I got a computer virus. Do you know how to fix this?” he asked and turned his computer around.

Alice rose from her chair and clutched the invite to her chest. Edward’s computer screen was filled with pictures of Landon and her. Pictures that were probably taken from all of the hospital and home security cameras, but they showed Landon and her, laughing and smiling with his arms around her and she looking up into his eyes. It showed when they shared breakfast in her office the day she’d delivered the baby. Picture after picture kept popping up of all their time together, and in that instant, tears gathered in Alice’s eyes and slipped freely down her face. God, she loved that man.

“I love him,” she whispered into the quiet room. “And I let him get away.”

Emily rose and put her arms around her sister’s shoulders. “Aw, honey, he didn’t go far, and after talking with Avery a week ago, it seems he loves you just as much. Trust us on this. Go beat some sense into him, and do not take no for an answer.”

“That’s our new family motto.” Edward grinned and clapped his hands. “I think we all have some wedding presents to buy and reservations to make.” He glanced at Alice and held her gaze. “Are you sure this is what you want? That he’s what you want?”

Alice nodded. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

“Then that’s settled. Let’s get our asses in gear.” Emily squeezed her sister’s shoulders.

“You sounded just like Avery.” Alice smiled.

“She was my mentor. I’m not surprised.”