Page 9 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
Max tosses his phone on the cushion next to him, his gut clenching at the outcome of his call. Exactly the result Nick wants, but what he fears neither of them can recover from. Against his own objections, he sets the plan in motion to eliminate any doubts about Nick’s reputation for ruthless domination. Not since the aftermath of Salvador’s assassination attempt have they implemented anything this destructive.
Last time, Nick was arrogant and naïve, eager to prove himself and unafraid of the consequences from his actions. Now, they both understand exactly what he’s doing, including the price he’ll pay if their plot fails. “That’s the last one. Everything’s set for Friday.”
Nick looks up from the sonogram picture Shae must have given him. His thumb swipes over the image before he tucks it back into the corner of the picture frame on his desk. “Even Enrique?”
“Yeah, he’s the most eager of everyone to attend.”
Nick leans back in his chair, stretching out his arms and lacing his fingers behind his head. His expression is unreadable as he stares at the ceiling. “Good.”
Although he already knows the answer, he must try one last time to convince his boss to call off the scheme he’s orchestrating. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s a hell of a risk.”
“I don’t have any fucking choice.” Nick points to the closed door of his office, his voice tinged with regret as strong as his own. “She’s been through hell, and I can’t let it fucking happen again.”
Not wanting Shae to be alone upstairs, Nick convinced her to watch a movie in the living room while they worked. Asleep after about ten minutes, the evidence of her exhaustion revives Max’s guilt. Starting to get an inkling something was off with Carter, he had his men tracking down the proof he needed to take it to Nick. Confirmation of his suspicions came through while Nick was at her house. Just five minutes sooner, and Carter would never have fucking gotten to her.“But, if you die—”
Nick puts his hand up, dismissing the argument. “I’ll do anything I have to do to keep her safe. Besides, I know you’ll take care of her.”
The promise he made long ago never more likely than now to be kept. At the time, he accepted the commitment out of loyalty to Nick. Now, his dedication to Shae is just as strong. If something happens to Nick, her heartbreak would devastate him. “Yeah, but she’ll fucking hate both of us for it.”
“I know.” Nick rubs his hands across his face, blowing out a deep sigh. “Now, I just need to figure out what to tell her. I can’t take a chance and have her there.”
“Either way, you’re screwed. She’ll never let you host a memorial service without her. And she sure as hell won’t let you go through with what you’re planning if you tell her the truth.”
Although she may not fully comprehend their world, she understands the damage caused by their demand for revenge—a desire she doesn’t possess—and he knows she wishes they didn’t either. Even after the attack at the airport, she cried over Carter, as well as the hit men who didn’t feel a bit of remorse for gunning after them. Although he’s never killed a man with a woman trembling beneath him, he can’t deny the satisfaction in seeing the shooters dead after terrorizing her.
“I’ll figure something out. Anyway, do you have the paperwork for the lab? I can get the paternity test taken care of while she’s sleeping.”
He pulls the folded forms from inside his jacket and slides them across the desk. “I’ll let Oscar know we’re going out.”
“No, I’ll take him with me. You stay here and keep an eye on Shae in case she wakes up while I’m gone.” Nick rises from his chair and stuffs the sheets in his pocket. “When I get back, why don’t you take off for a while? Other than her doctor’s appointment at noon, we won’t be going out again.”
Getting away would be good. Maybe clearing his mind would end the unwelcome thoughts tormenting him during the day and the dreams haunting him each night. “Yeah, I could definitely use a long ride.”
Nick nods at him as he opens the door. In the living room, Nick pauses in front of the sofa. He covers Shae with another blanket and caresses her cheek before walking out of the house.
He smiles and shakes his head at his boss’s gentleness with her. A sharp contrast to the brutality he invokes for the men invited to the ruse of Carter’s funeral. Destroying Juan’s distribution system was a calculated risk that squelched some of the rumblings of his weakness. Hopefully, this next gamble will be the final answer to any uncertainty.
Unable to remember the last time he allowed himself a day off, he jogs to his room to change clothes and grab his helmet. He’s never needed time away more than today. Shrugging into his jeans, he freezes at Shae’s scream from the living room.
What the fuck?
Every nerve in his body pulses as he yanks his gun from its holster and races down the hallway. Who in the hell can be hurting her here? His body softens at the discovery no one else is in the room, yet his stomach twists at her fear. She struggles against the blankets, her soft cries muffled from her thrashing.
He shoves the weapon into the sheath and drops next to her on the oversized couch. Lifting her from the cushions by her trembling shoulders, he gives her a gentle shake. “Hey, it’s okay. Wake up.”
She blinks a few times before her eyes focus on him. “Max?”
“Yeah, it’s me. It was just a dream.”
Her arms fly around his neck, her body shivering against his. “It…it was Carter. He killed you and Nick. He wouldn’t let me go.”
“You’re safe now. Nick and I are fine. Everything’s okay.”
Her hair brushes against his cheek as she nods, accepting the reassurance he provides. Yet, she doesn’t loosen her grip. “It seemed so real.”
“Carter’s dead. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.” He reaches up to rub her back before jerking his hand down. What the fuck is he doing? He can’t touch her like this. As soon as Nick gets back, he’s got to get the fuck out of here. Away from the stress jacking with his mind. Away from the confusion she generates in him.
After a few minutes, the shaking stops, and a deep, shuddering breath tickles his neck. “Thank you.”
