Page 56 of Jonathon, After All

“Nothing too serious, I hope,” Theo replied and Max nodded.

“We’ve had a death in the family, I’m afraid, but I’m learning so much about the beauty of a life well-lived and what really matters, what kind of legacy I intend to leave, thanks to Angus Tucker. It also feels like a gift to be included in the healing process.”

“I see…” Leo said, recalling vows he’d made to his own parents about love and family. He had honored their wishes, for the most part, with the exception of following his own heart. But Leo intended to remedy that now. “That is, in a way, why I’ve asked to speak with you. I’m sure you recall the scene I caused at the gala—” he began, but Max waved it off.

“I don’t believe you threw a drink in your own face, Leo, and we made a bit of a scene ourselves last weekend, Reid and I,” he said with a faint blush.

“I heard. Congratulations, Max. He’s a remarkable man and you two looked very happy together.”

“Thank you, but I don’t care about ‘the scene’ between you and Mr. Hawthorne. I’m here as your cousin, not as a representative of the Foundation. You know I do not give a single damn,” Max stated firmly as he set a hand on Leo’s shoulder and gave it an affectionate knead.

Max would never appreciate Leo’s gratitude. It had very little to do with the inheriting of a title, but more to do with having someone older and wiser to lean on and look up to in the aftermath of his parents’ death. Being the oldest, Leo had to be strong for his younger brothers, but Max had looked after Leo like an older brother. His unconditional support had been lifesaving when Leo felt like he was drowning under the burden of caring for three rambunctious, and at times willful, younger brothers.

“I know, but I still owe you an apology. After everything you’ve done for me and my brothers… I should have found Mr. Hawthorne before the gala or approached him more privately after I saw him at the bar. I should have?—”

“Teach me, when you learn to read minds and see the future,” Max said, giving Leo a pointed look. “I’m not here for an apology. I’m here to learn who Mr. Hawthorne is to you, and how I can help,” Max explained.

“Can you help?” Leo blurted and shook his head dubiously at Max. “Markus has done everything he can without breaking the law and I met with Ms. Hormsby to plead my case,” he said, making Max grimace.

“You are indeed desperate,” he confirmed, then cleared his throat as he canted toward Leo. “But my sources are better than the NYPD’s and the FBI’s. I may have some information that you’ll find valuable, but before I share it, I need to know what the nature of your relationship was and who Mr. Hawthorne is to you.”

“What information?” Leo demanded only for Max to hold up a hand, his brows lifting calmly.

“He is under the protection of a certain…faction, but I will not betray them or risk my own safety until you tell me the truth. And why you’re turning the city upside down for Mr. Hawthorne,” he stated, then gestured for Leo to begin. His open, expectant expression a warning that Max wouldn’t accept anything but absolute candor.

“Fine,” Leo nodded. “He is everything, Max, and my heart’s only desire,” he finally confessed, no longer concerned about what anyone else thought of him. There were faint, muffled groans from Theo and Matteo, sounding relieved as they clapped softly behind him. Leo ignored them, facing Max directly. “I believed that Mr. Hawthorne didn’t want me and that he had moved on. I could never go back to Schönbühel because I’d be haunted there and I’ve avoided New York and the eastern half of the United States. I was too afraid to face him.”

Max’s head pulled back and he spluttered. “Why?” he asked loudly once he had recovered. “I warned you about allowing the Foundation to control your personal affairs! You promised it wouldn’t ruin your life.”

Oh, he was angry. Leo had never encountered this Max, in their many years of friendship. Max had always been too calm and quick to please. And he was even quicker, when it came to smoothing things over and finding a peaceful resolution.

“I told myself that being Margrave was all that mattered,” Leo said, holding his hands up guiltily when Max threw him a furious glare. “I could live without Jonathon and tolerate the Foundation’s meddling because I was saving the Austrian wilderness for future generations. I was opening other rich, useless noblemen’s eyes to the cause so I told myself it was worth it.”

“Leo!” Max released a torrent of curses in German, but he pulled Leo into a tight hug and rocked them. “You should have come to me. I would have helped you if I had known.”

“I didn’t think he wanted me. My assistant told me not to chase him and that I’d make an ass out of myself so I stayed away and hid in my work.”

Max leaned back, widening his eyes at Leo. “Sabine? I trust she has been dealt with.”

“Sabine will not be coming back. I’ve promoted Markus; I don’t think I need that kind of security anymore and I know I can trust him. He’s always put my happiness and safety ahead of the margraviate and the Foundation’s agenda.”

“Good. And what are your intentions once you’ve found Mr. Hawthorne?” Max asked.

Leo frowned, confused and reeling. He had expected Max to be more concerned about a possible scandal or the Foundation sending a flock of legals after them. “My intentions?”

“I might start with an apology and an explanation,” Theo whispered as he rubbed the end of his nose with a knuckle.

“Of course!” Leo nodded quickly. “I already planned to, if he’ll listen. I’ll tell him everything! And more!”

“And more?” Matteo echoed, grinning at Theo and Max.

“Yes.” Leo clutched his stomach as it did a somersault. “I’ll give him anything he wants if he’ll give me another chance. I’d marry him tomorrow if he’d have me.”

“Very well.” Max stood and gestured at the elevator. “Let’s see what Mr. Hawthorne has to say.”

Leo grabbed hold of the wall as the floor tilted. “You know where he is?” he asked and wiped the tears from his cheeks when he began to cry, he was so relieved and hopeful.

“I do. The Nanny Network is powerful, but I’m betraying my new family’s trust by conspiring with the enemy, so you’d better make it worth it,” Max told Leo as he pressed the call button.

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