Page 33 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
"All right, I'll report that she's safe and sound and wishes to be left alone for now?"
"Yes, please."
He reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a card. “I’m going to leave this here.” Hollis reaches out, taking the card from him and then handing it to me. “Be safe and enjoy your holiday.”
“You too,” Hollis tells them both.
“Thank you,” I say again as they leave. I hand the card back to Hollis. “Do you think Max would really hurt me?” The flex of Hollis’s jaw answers the question.
“He’s already done fucked-up shit.” That is very true.
“You’re right. I don’t know him at all,” I admit.
“And you never will.”
Chapter Sixteen
HOLLIS
Imight not be into this whole Christmas party, but I enjoy the hell out of watching Candy have a part in planning it alongside Polly. I’ll see Candy hurry past my office in one direction and then back a few minutes later. She’s flittering around the whole house and issuing orders for where she wants things.
Good. My girl is getting comfortable. That’s what I hoped she would do, and over the last week, each day she has settled in more. Not only to our home but to the town as well. A handful of people have been told to keep a watch out for Maxwell but to not approach if they see him. To only let the sheriff and me know.
Maxwell has dropped off the radar, and while I might be upping security around here, I won't be playing defense waiting for him to pop out. No, I'm going to lure him out. I won't have Candy filled with worry; that's the last thing she needs. I want Maxwell handled and out of our lives permanently.
I don't think that should be too difficult. Not with all the shit my lawyers and I have dug up. I also have a security team that's been hired and put into place. They too are digging into Maxwell and have feet on the ground to get more information. I called in a favor, and they're the best out there.
"Hollis?" I hear my mother call. I stand up from my desk as she enters my office. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
"It's nice to see you too, Mom." She was supposed to be here a few days ago but got held up. With what, I'm not sure, but give it time and I bet I will.
"Oh whatever," she huffs with a laugh. "This." Mom shows me her phone.
Ah, yes. The engagement announcement I had sent to be plastered all over the city. I’m sure anyone who is anybody knows at this point. Word travels fast in these circles. I wanted everyone to know without a doubt that Candy is mine.
I also know it’s going to piss off Maxwell. That’s the plan. Let his anger get the best of him, and he’ll get more sloppy than he already is.
“You didn’t think I was going to marry her?” I still haven’t told Mom about the babies. Well, she knows Candy is pregnant, but I hadn’t told her the babies are mine. I thought that would be done better in person.
“I knew you would, but I thought I would be told first, and I wouldn't find out from a text from an old friend.”
Perfect. As I thought. Word is spreading quickly.
“Mom, you knew.”
“Not really.” She huffs, pretending to be annoyed, but it doesn’t last long. “So where is she?”
“We need to talk before you meet her.”
“Oh God. What now? Is it Maxwell? You know how hard it’s been to not call his mother?” Not sure what that would do, but okay. I had filled her in on this being linked to Maxwell Holmberg.
“No, it’s about Candy and me.” I motion for her to take a seat.
“Don’t drag this out. I’m old, and my heart can’t take it.”
“That card doesn’t work with me, Mom.” The woman could run circles around most people.
“Out with it. There are people to meet and things to be done.” I lean up against my desk, kicking my feet out and crossing them at the ankles in front of me.
