Page 302 of The Maxwell Brothers
DECLAN
"Dude,you're fast. Are you running from something?" Travis asked as I jumped off the treadmill. I’d gone with him and Luke to the gym. I preferred jogging outside more, but these two busted my ass until I gave in and signed up with them. It was in our office building, so it was convenient, and we all came down during an afternoon break. It was mostly empty then, so we could talk openly as we worked out.
"I have a lot on my mind," I replied.
"And what, when you run fast, you process it better?"
“Yes.”
Luke and Travis looked at each other. They’d finished their own warm-up on the treadmill.
"Is it just me, or does he seem even moreDeclanthan usual?" Travis asked.
"He does."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Travis pointed at me. "You know, brooding forehead. Serious expression. Lighten up, brother. Don't take life so seriously."
"I do have a reason," I said. "Malcolm."
"What are you talking about?" Travis asked.
"He served me papers," I said as we walked to the back of the room to the weights section. "For defamation."
“Hewas the one who caused Tyler problems," Travis replied through gritted teeth. Luke said nothing.
"And after that, I talked the Halsey Group into firing him. And he claims to have an email from them as proof."
"Wait, you did what?" Travis asked. He looked comically identical to Sam when he’d asked the same question.
“You think it’s true?” Luke inquired.
I shrugged. “Even if he does, it's not a strong case for defamation."
“Wait, I'm still stunned,” Travis said. “What do you mean? Why would you do that? I mean, that's somethingIwould do, not you."
"He hurt Reese," I replied simply. “And I bet he planned to continue to use his position at the Halsey Group to do even more.”
"I'm seeing you in a whole new light, brother, and I approve," Travis said. "You’re actually human."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked for the second time today.
"I don't know. You were always such a stickler for rules and keeping us all in check. I thought you were adopted or something."
"Anyway,” I drawled, “I told his lawyer to schedule a court date."
Luke narrowed his eyes. "Why?”
“I'm calling his bluff. This isn’t what he wants. And I want to know what hedoeswant. I can’t fight something I don't know."
Luke patted my shoulder. "Dude, you've got balls. Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
Travis held up his hand. "Hey, stop giving him shit. I'm proud that he told us anyway. That he didn't do the whole 'I amDeclan, the head of the family. No need for the younger peasants to know.'"
“When did you even have time to reply?” Luke asked while I started pressing weights with my legs. Travis was at the arms station. Luke was doing nothing at all.
“I found out last week.”
