Chapter 0035
I hadn’t even realized he had been invited. His parents would normally be there, but Caleb hadn’t made his name big enough on its own yet to be included in most of the functions I attended.
“Really?” I leaned back further, instinctively twisting my chair a few inches each way to rock Brinley as she sniffled.
This would be the perfect opportunity to get under Caleb’s skin publicly, especially after the guard I had placed on Bailee confirmed Caleb had followed her and put his hands on her yesterday.
I just needed to convince Bailee to go with me as my plus one.
“Confirm my attendance with a plus one, Bailee Evans,” I said as Ben rushed through the door to my office.
“Thanks, Alex! I owe you one, but we have to go. Bailee sent me a text to check in, and she is stressing that I didn’t put Brinley down for a nap today. If I get her home now, she can probably sleep for an hour before Bailee gets off work.” Ben said, reaching for Brinley. “Come on, Brynn.”
“No!” She yelled, wrapping her little arms tighter around my neck, and I couldn’t resist holding her a little tighter, too. I had never known a toddler could give such good hugs. I hadn’t had a real hug in years.
“How about if I walk you guys down? Would it be okay if I walk you down to the car?”
I felt her nod and rubbed my hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her.
“Oh, man! You’re done for.” Ben laughed. “She already has you wrapped around her finger.”
I glared at him, hating that I couldn’t stop the smile pulling at my lips as I stood and walked them out of my office. “You have no room to talk.”
“Fair enough.” Ben raised his hands in surrender as we got on the elevator. His smile fell when he looked at Brinley in my arms. “Do you think maybe I could get them to stay with me a little longer? I feel like once Bailee moves out, she’ll be so busy getting back on her feet that we’ll go back to not seeing each other anymore.”
“I’m sure if you ask, they will stay. Bailee isn’t going to keep your niece from you. Plus, I think Bailee needs you now more than she will admit.” I said, watching the red numbers tick down on the screen until we reached the first floor.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. We’re parked right out front.” He said as the doors opened.
Several security guards were around the lobby, and I scanned the area, not liking that they were away from their regular posts.
“What’s going on?” I asked the receptionist.
“An unauthorized visitor tried to enter. It was taken care of. There is nothing to worry about, Mr. Kingston.” She assured me with a smile before going back to the work on her computer.
“I can take her from here if you need to take care of that,” Ben said, reaching for Brinley and pouting like a child instead of a grown man when she whined that she wanted to stay with me.
“I don’t like this. I got her. Let’s just get her to your car.” I said as Ben pushed the front door open, holding it for us as I walked through.
“Mr. Kingston! Over here!” A woman yelled as cameras flashed.
My arms tightened around Brinley, one hand moving to hold her fame into my neck so they couldn’t get a picture of her.
“Alexander! This way! Is that Brinley Johnson?” A shouted.
Brinley whimpered, scared by the noise and crowd, but I didn’t let her go. I just needed to get her to Ben’s car so he could get her
home.
1/2
Security rushed out the front doors of my building, making a path through the paparazzi as Ben guided us to his car.
“Alexander! Is it true that you fathered Brinley Johnson? Does Caleb know about this?”
