Page 45 of Finding You
“I don’t know if you noticed, but he found every reason to touch you,” Christopher continued. “I didn’t miss the way he stayed close by your side. That could just be protectiveness or part of his training, but surely, he knew I wasn’t a threat. I’m guessing it was because he liked being near you.”
“I hope you’re right, G-Pop, because I’m crazy in love with him.”
Christopher nodded knowingly. “Of course I’m right. I just hate that you won’t be my granddaughter. I knew it was a long shot, but I had hoped a miracle would happen, and you’d bump your head, lose your memory, and fall madly in love with my grandson.”
Raven laughed. It would take a lot more than a bump to the head to make that happen. Falling in love with Maximus would never happen. He was too controlling and misogynistic for her to ever feel anything more than disdain toward him.
“We both know that me falling in love with him was never going to happen.”
“Well, I’ve lived a long time and have learned that anything is possible. But if I’m honest, you’re too good for Maximus. He never deserved you, and he would’ve broken your beautiful spirit. Something I never want to see happen. So, I hope everything works out for you and Zion. If not, you and the twins will always have a home here. You’d just have to take me up on at least one of my offers.”
Raven smiled and gently grasped the old man’s bony fingers. While she was pregnant with the twins, he had offered for her to move into his huge home. When she said no, he had told her that her apartment was too small and offered to buy her a bigger place. She had turned him down, determined to be independent and raise the kids on her own terms. Though there’d been times she’d mentally kicked herself for that decision, in the end, everything turned out well.
Though Christopher wasn’t the type to sayyou owe me, Raven hadn’t wanted to take any chances that he’d end up being controlling like his grandson. Maximus had been another reason why she hadn’t taken Christopher up on his generous offers. She didn’t want to be in a position where Maximus would be a part of her life in any way. The man was so self-centered, he’d think he was entitled to be in her life if she was in his grandfather’s life.
For the next few minutes, she and Christopher talked about the babies and how involved Zion’s family was when it came to them. She loved that her little ones would grow up with loving grandparents, as well as aunts who would dote on them.
With each passing day, Raven was excited about her and the twins’ future. Finally, she wasn’t afraid that she was in over her head where they were concerned. Now they had a family who they could depend on.
A quick knock sounded on the door, and Raven glanced over just as Maximus walked in.
Oh great, and the day was going so well.
Raven sighed, and it must’ve been loud enough for Christopher to hear. He patted her hand. Had he known his grandson would show up?
No.Raven shot the thought down immediately. Christopher would’ve told her if he’d been expecting his grandson.
Maximus stared at her in surprise. “Hey. I didn’t expect to see you, but I’m glad you’re here,” he said and walked toward her with what she referred to as his movie-star smile.
No one could ever say he wasn’t good-looking, because he was, he just wasn’t as fine as Zion. Well-groomed from his freshly cut hair to his clean-shaven face, he looked well put together. While Zion was naturally handsome, Maximus’s appearance was enhanced by his lavish lifestyle. At around six feet tall, his expensive attire screamed wealth. He never walked out the house without looking his best. Today was no different.
He was wearing a light-blue, button-down, wrinkle-free dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearm. His tailored pants and Italian lace-up shoes appeared casual, yet still business-like. The diamond studded watch, thick platinum bracelet, and the pinky ring with the blue stone only added to the facade.
“God, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he murmured, then bent down to kiss her as if he had every right to do so, but Raven took a step back.
In the process, she bumped into the chair near the bed and almost fell until Maximus reached for her. The moment she was righted, she shook out of his hold.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” he demanded quietly, but no doubt Christopher heard him.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she countered. “We are not a couple! Yet, you keep calling me, and now you come in here trying to kiss me as if you have the right to do so. Now I’m asking, what the heck is wrong with you?”
Instead of responding, he huffed out a breath and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his pants. Then he turned to Christopher who didn’t look pleased.
“Hey, granddad. I was surprised to hear you were in the hospital. What’s going on?”
Christopher told Maximus what he’d told her about having tests done, and his grandson didn’t question him further. Knowing him, he probably didn’t care since Maximus’s only concern was Maximus.
“You didn’t answer her question,” Christopher said, his voice sounding stronger than it had earlier as he watched his grandson. “Why have you been calling Raven when she’s asked you multiple times to leave her alone?”
Maximus clenched his jaw, his breathing increasing as he glared at her. “What lies have you been telling him? Yes, you and I have hit a rough patch, and I’m trying to fix that, but you’re not making it easy.”
Raven stared at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or if this was some type of game. Maybe something really was wrong with him, and he needed professional help. Help she couldn’t give him.
She stepped up to him and searched his eyes, not sure what she was expecting to find in the depths of his dark orbs. “Are you serious right now?” she asked, glad they were having this conversation in front of Christopher. “We broke up a year and a half ago. Are you saying you don’t remember that conversation, as well as the numerous others of me telling you that we’re over and to leave me alone? That I no longer want you in my life?”
“Dammit, Raven,” he growled. “I know that, but everything changed once the babies came along. I don’t want my kids growing up without me in their life.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she looked from him to Christopher, then back at Maximus. For a moment, she startedto question her own sanity, but then a hint of evilness flashed in his eyes. But it was gone so quickly, she wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it.
