Abducted By Lust *Book 1 of the Köhler Series*

Beach Time

The next morning, Luca and Adele found themselves sitting in the kitchen in their South Carolina home, laughing, and talking with Adele's mom, grandmother, brother, and sisters. It felt weird but good as hell. Still, he knew Adele hadn't found the courage to tell her mom and sisters she was a mom, as she and Luca logged into the nanny cam to check on their babies. At that moment he thought about his grandmother being alone with Sophia and Ansel. He knew it was only a matter of time before she opened her big mouth.

"Liebe, you need to talk to your mother."

"About?"

"Nothing... it can wait until later, Luca. I haven't talked to my mom and sisters for over a year. Let me catch up on a few things with them." What he was suggesting was to catch up on things. Her mother deserved to know she had more grandchildren, and it was wrong to make her sisters leave their children behind.

"Then can we talk about what your Father said yesterday..."

"Charles didn't molest me. I don't know what he was talking about, but I know he never laid a hand on me. Unless he touched Olivia or Charlette, but it wasn't me. Charles wanted people to think I was crazy, and now I see he had others in on his plans. Khalil... Khalil pretended to be my friend to aid him, and I'm sorry I didn't listen to you about her, Ma." Luca wasn't buying it. Something made him question what Charles said. Maybe Adele was right, but she could also have been wrong.

"He never touched us either... do you actually think that was true? Dad was scared of strong women?"

"Look at his many attempts to make Ma quit her job and how he wanted control of everything. Charles couldn't stand the fact Ma was the breadwinner and he was the runner-up. He talked the both of you to drop out of school and forced you to rely on men to take care of you—rich, powerful black men."

"At least she got her smarts from me." Rose laughed, making Barbra roll her eyes with a smile. "Although I have to say I love seeing you smile, Dee, and I am glad you found someone to put that smile there. Just make sure you continue to do it, Luca... now you have to tell me how you met."

"I don't think you want to hear that story, Granny Rose." Adele nervously laughed, making Luca reach over to rub her shoulder and kiss her temple. However, it was a story that needed to be told. "Are we going to stay closed up in this damn house all day, or are we going out?"

"Later, Dad, but if you and Ma want to do so now. You can... Liebe and I planned on going to the beach later, but first, we must finish talking to her family." Axel shrugged and walked away as Rose's eyes followed him out the door. Adele's grandmother had the hots for his dad, and Luca thought it was funny.

"Your Father better be glad he's no older than my daughter and have a woman because, Lord, that man is sexy."

"Ma! Please excuse her... I owe you an apology, Dee. I was weak and couldn't be the mother y'all needed. I was exactly what he wanted in a woman, and I don't understand why because I was raised to be strong. I lacked something... the key to being a good mother."

"You were a good mom. It wasn't your fault he belittled you. Charles made you feel useless and unwanted... telling you no one would love you as he did. Men like him knew how to break the strongest women. Now, back to my original question. How did the two of you meet?"

"I kidnapped your granddaughter," Luca said without looking up. Rose released a sigh but gently touched his arm. "You saved her... like a blessing from above, you walked into her life, and something told you to act. Sweetie, I'm not asking for an explanation or what happened after because I can see you love her... You love your wife, and I'm asking you to continue doing what you are doing. Dee, you look tired. Go get some rest, and we can meet up again later." Luca gave the woman a nod as she and the others left. He couldn't lie; Rose was the nicer version of Sibylla, which was funny but a story for another time. Rose was right. Adele needed rest. Therefore, he led her upstairs to their room.