"I'm laughing because you're infecting me, but... What's so funny?" Anna asked, already enjoying herself too. I knew there was something she didn't understand.
"Tomorrow, we'll find out what made Bonnie so happy..." He said enigmatically, and looked sideways at Anna.
"What do you mean? Isn't it obvious what's making her happy?"
"There are cameras everywhere in that room." He revealed and burst into laughter along with Anna.
They got to sleep just as the day was starting to lighten up.
They got up at almost ten o'clock in the morning. Maxwell had an appointment and Anna was going to the doctor. So they got up, showered and went down to breakfast. Neither of them was surprised by the presence of Anna's father with Ian in his arms, as he sipped his coffee.
He raised his head and looked at them calmly.
"Looks like you two had a rough night." He said wryly.
"Not difficult." Maxwell replied, waiting for Anna to sit down, then sitting down and helping himself. "But, of course." He finished.
"I almost had to break down the door to get the bodyguards to open Ian's room. Apparently it wasn't just you who couldn't keep your eyes open."
"The guest we had to take in unexpectedly, because you weren't kind enough to warn us, was very... Inspired yesterday."
Anna's father looked at her, and then at Maxwell, and saw reproach in their gazes. He put Ia in the chair next to his and spoke quietly.
"I love you. Maxwell, you're my son too. I love you like that, and I would never put you in danger. That's why you have two dozen trusted men scattered around the apartment, inside and out. But I had a strong reason not to say anything to you."
"We're listening." Maxwell said without surprise.
"I've been following your brother's life. I've never stopped hearing from him. And I know that the desire to be a father has been awakened in him over the last few years. As much as I love you, I don't think it's fair that he doesn't even know he has a son. And if I told you about his coming here, you would hide Ian. What happens now will depend on you. But I want you to know that wherever Ian goes, I'll be with him. Physically. I won't leave him as long as there's life in me. And I need to talk about other reasons, with you Maxwell. But just the two of us."
"That's no consolation, Dad! Do you think he can take my son? I'll never let him." Anna said through her teeth.
"You may have no way out, my child. If this case goes to trial, be sure that he wins, and you lose Ian, forever."
"Justice doesn't take a son away from his mother. I'm an exemplary mother."
"I know that. But justice won't see it that way. Adam will speak out and show proof that you fled the United States, carrying his child, and without him knowing. That's considered serious here. The courts will see it as kidnapping. You let another man assume paternity, that's also a crime. And make no mistake. Adam will find out about his rights."
"He won't find out about his son." Anna said hopelessly.
Anna's father looked at her with pity, but said nothing more.
Anna felt like she was losing a battle. If they took her son away, it would be like ripping his arm off. And she didn't want her son to grow up under the influence of Adam and those werewolves armed to the teeth who frequented her home. She looked at Maxwell for support, but saw with regret that his eyes were cloudy. Then she knew. Her father wasn't lying. If Adam found out he was his son's father, he would take him away. And while she was thinking these things, Adam walked into the dining room, accompanied by Bonnie, who looked full and happy.
Adam sat down, and so did Bonnie. She began to serve herself.
"Can I get some aspirin?" He asked Maxwell, knowing that he would provide something that had an effect on werewolves.
"Of course." He said, and got up and went into the kitchen, ignoring the fear in Anna's eyes, for Adam had sat down next to Ian, and seemed to notice the child's presence as soon as Maxwell had left.
"What's up, warrior? Did you enjoy meeting your uncle?" Adam asked the boy, looking at him with excitement.
Ian smiled at Adam, which made Anna even more desperate. Their smiles were identical. She felt her hands shaking and put them on her legs so that no one would notice.
"Daddy?" Ian asked, pointing his little finger at Ada, while looking inquiringly at Henry.
"Yes, my son. He's Daddy's brother." Anna intervened.
Ian cocked his head to one side, as Adam had done, and stared at him with renewed interest.
"Just like Dad." He said innocently.
"Yes. Maybe more than you think... You're very intelligent. You must have inherited it from Mom, because my brother has a brain the size of an amoeba." Adam said, amused by the boy's confusion.
Maxwell arrived and stared at him without laughing. He put the pill and a glass of water in front of him and went back to his seat.
Adam took the pill and, before taking it into his mouth, looked at his brother, ready to annoy him. It had been a long time since he had seen Maxwell angry and he had forgotten his expression when it happened.
"You're not giving me poison, are you? You wouldn't do that in front of Ian, would you?"
"Don't talk such nonsense around my son, Adam." Maxwell growled at him. "There's a pharmacy in the building next door. Go and cure your hangover there, if you're scared."
"Afraid?" Adam asked sarcastically, then popped the pill in his mouth and drank some water. Then he stood up. "It was really good to see you..." He said, staring at Anna's father. "I think we have a lot to talk about. We have unfinished business, but I have an appointment early.
Bonnie stared at him in surprise.
"Are you going to leave me alone here again?"
Adam stared at her debauchedly.
"I think Anna's father will be good company for you. I allowed you to come with me, Bonnie, but I didn't say I'd take you wherever I went. Go for a walk. We have no commitment to each other." He said and turned to Anna. "I hope to see you at dinner here tonight. I have a proposition for you." He said and left.