Page 69 of Property of Max
I was wrong then. He’s wrong now. He’ll see that soon enough.
“There’s nothing more we can do right now,” Spike says, voice low but steady. “When they release Bree, we get everyone back to the compound and come up with a plan of action. I want our family protected, but I don’t want them to feel like prisoners.”
“We increase security,” Tank adds. “Bree can be homeschooled.”
“That’s not going to work,” Lila cuts in from the doorway. Her voice wavers but doesn’t break. “I’m not pulling her out of school. But I do want to change schools. I’ll never trust the one she’s in after what they let happen.”
“I know a guy,” Maverick says. “Works security at a private school nearby. I’d trust him and his team with my life.”
“Oh, I can’t afford a private school,” Lila says quickly.
“If you could,” I ask, reaching out to take her hand and pulling her gently onto my lap, “would you let her go?”
“If I could afford it, yes,” she admits. “But I’ve already looked into private schools. Tuition’s too high.”
“Let me pay for it,” I say.
“Absolutely not,” she starts, shaking her head.
“Baby,” I beg softly. “Let me do this for you. Let me do this for her.”
She hesitates, trying to slide off my lap, but I hold her close. I’m not letting her drift away, not after everything we’ve just gone through.
“I can’t ask that of you,” she whispers. “I don’t want you thinking I’m using you.”
The men around us chuckle, low and knowing. I hide my smile against her hair.
“Use me, baby,” I murmur. “I need this. I need you. I need Bree and Micah.”
“This is too much,” she whispers, but her hands grip my arm like she’s afraid to let go.
“It’s not enough,” I say firmly. “I want you three to move in with me. We’ll move back inside the compound. I’ll fix the house so Micah can access every room. Bree will have so much room to play outside. We’ll even put in some playground equipment.”
“What?” She pulls back, eyes wide as she looks down at me. “Max, you barely know us. You have no idea what you’re signingup for. I love my brother, but he’s…he’s a lot of work. I can’t ask you to take that on.”
“Use me, baby,” I repeat, holding her gaze. “You’ve done this alone for far too long. I love Micah. It would be my honor to help you care for him.”
“All of us would,” Spike adds from across the room. “He’s a Shadow after all. He’s family.”
“And I really enjoy kicking his ass at chess,” Foster puts in, smirking.
Lila laughs then, a soft, shaky sound, and hides her face in my neck.
“You all are crazy,” she mumbles, voice muffled. “But…okay.”
“Thank you, baby,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“But I want to pay you back for her school fee,” she adds quickly. “I’ll give you my paycheck from Abby every week until it’s covered.”
“Oh, she’s playing with fire,” Tank snickers, standing. “I’m going to check on our cutest Shadow and bribe her into believing I’m her favorite uncle.”
“Oh, I think not,” Skip says, chasing after him. “We’re not going through this again like we did with Asher. I am, and will always be, the favorite.”
“I’m not rich,” I admit, not caring who hears. “But I have enough money for us to live comfortably. We can afford a private school for Bree. We can afford to renovate the house so Micah has everything he needs.”
“Since that’s Shadow property,” Spike cuts in, “the club will be paying for that. Along with the playground.”
I nod at him, grateful for the support.
