Page 53 of Property of Max
“Relax, baby.” Max’s voice cuts through the spiral. He tilts my chin, directing my gaze across the room.
There’s Micah settled comfortably beside Foster, both locked in concentration over their screens. Cody’s perched at Micah’sside, laughing at every move, while his nurse hovers nearby, steady and watchful.
The knot in my chest loosens. I exhale, guilt rising like a tide. “I’m sorry. I thought he was moved without someone knowing how to take care of him.”
“Never, Lila.” Max’s voice is firm, his eyes burning into mine. “I told you I wanted the whole package. I’m forty-two years old. When I want something, I don’t play games. That includes making damn sure Bree and Micah are safe. Cody and the nurse had it handled. We didn’t tell you because you’d try to take control.” His palm warms my cheek. “Just for today, let us take care of them. You relax and enjoy your new family.”
“AGAIN!” Bree shrieks, and my heart nearly stops as Tank launches her through the air to another man several feet away, who catches her effortlessly before tossing her back.
“They’d never drop her,” Max whispers into my hair, steady and sure.
“This is all so much,” I admit, my voice trembling.
Max turns me, his hand cradling the back of my neck, and claims my mouth in a kiss that obliterates the noise and fear. It’s fire. It’s grounding. It’s everything.
When he finally pulls back, his lips still brush mine as he whispers, smiling, “As cheesy as it sounds, baby… You taste like happiness.”
“That does sound cheesy,” I whisper back. “But I get it. I totally get it.”
“Sissy. Foster cheated.”Micah’s tablet blurts it out, perfectly timed.
I laugh and move to his side. Sometimes it feels as if the robotic voice in his tablet carries the same mix of mischief and bluntness Micah wears in real life. “I don’t think he cheated,” I tell him as I crouch. “I think you finally met your match.”
“Lost.”
I swear I can see Micah’s eyes widen, and that makes me laugh harder.
“I’m Foster,” the man says, holding out his hand when I stand back up.
“I remember you from before,” I answer, accepting it. “Micah says you’re going to help him upgrade his software?”
“If that’s alright with you,” Foster says, stepping back respectfully.
“It’s already loaded with the most up-to-date software they have,” I explain. “There probably isn’t much more to improve, but as long as you don’t break his equipment or change how he communicates, I’m okay with it.”
Foster nods and settles back beside Micah.
“Rematch!”my brother demands without hesitation.
Foster laughs and takes his seat. Their new game begins.
“Brother.” I look up as Spike walks over and greets Max with a manly shake and a hug.
“Hello, Lila,” Spike says, stopping at my side. “I wanted to apologize for what happened before.”
“It’s no big deal,” I say, shrugging. “I only wish the girls hadn’t felt they had to get involved.”
“Yeah, I wish that too.” He runs a hand over his face. “But they weren’t the ones in the wrong. We’ve had a rough year with the feds breathing down our necks, and sometimes that fear makes us do the wrong thing. That’s no excuse for leaving someone to fend for herself. We’re sorry, and you won’t have to worry about that man again.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about-”
“It’s done,” he says, smiling easily. “Welcome to the family, little Lila. Max here is a keeper. But if he ever pisses you off, come to me and I’ll kick his ass.”
“Please, as if you could,” Max says, no heat in his voice…only a lazy challenge.
“Lila, come with us,” Sunny says, already tugging on my sleeve. “Abby wants us to model some of her new designs. I hope you love color as much as I do.”
“I do love the color of your cut,” I admit. “I’ve never seen one that pink before. Only the black ones.”
