Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Say something,’’ I tell her, my back straightening. Something is off, I can tell by her posture.

  “This is Miss Robins’ money.’’

  “So what’s it doing in my pocket?’’

  “She came to me about twenty minutes ago telling me she needed to go home to get the raffle money. She said she swore she brought it with her, but when she went to get it out her bag it was gone,’’ she says quietly.

  “I didn’t steal this,’’ I shout, feeling my eyes well-up. I can’t get fired from here. I get paid pennies compared to what I’d get working a minimum wage job but I love it here. It’s the only place around here that pays in cash.

  “She didn’t,’’ Max agrees, looking serious. “We arrived together; we’ve been sitting in that dusty storage room all morning, together. She hasn’t left and the only time I left was to get you and when I got my BLT,’’ he tells her and I hope she believes him. I know they are all close and pretty much family but he did just spray paint the church wall so he might not be the best person to get an alibi from.

  “Oh, honey, I believe you. I never doubted you for a second; what has me shocked is the fact someone has done this and put the blame on you. We would have had to have called the police in if Miss Robins couldn’t find the money. Your bags and pockets would have been searched…’’ she says, trailing off. I know what she’s not saying, though. They would have arrested me. I don’t need her to tell me this, I just need her to know I didn’t do this. I’d never steal. I’ve gone a week, probably longer, without food and I never sunk low enough to steal money from someone. Food? Yeah, but never money.

  “I promise you, Joan, I didn’t do this. I wouldn’t do this.’’

  “Calm down. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off-” she starts. I interrupt feeling panicked.

  “Am I fired?’’ I croak out.

  “What?’’ she asks, shocked. “Of course you’re not. I just want to see what people say. So far it’s only us in this room that know I have the money. I want to see who points the finger first,’’ she shrugs mischievously.

  “You sly little dog,’’ Max chuckles. “This is awesome. We can go get something to eat and go meet up with Myles and Kayla. She isn’t in today either.’’

  “I didn’t say you could have the day off, Max,’’ Joan tells him, wiping the smile off his smug face.

  “Oh, come on, she needs company. She’s been holed up in her room like a hermit for two weeks,’’ Max argues.

  “I had the flu,’’ I defend, then realise I shouldn’t have reacted. He winks but turns back to Joan with a puppy dog look. She can’t really be buying this crap.

  “You’re right, Max. It will be nice for Lake to get to know all of you. Maybe you can join Denny and Harlow? They said they were watching a movie later.’’

  “I’m right here,’’ I speak up, waving my arms around.

  “That’s a great idea. She needs to get used to us and used to socialising,’’ Max agrees.

  “Are we going?’’ I snap, turning around to face Max. His body is closer than I first thought and it has me taking a step back. Tingles of awareness shoot up my spine and I hate how his closeness affects me.

  “Yes, come on. I think I can shout out for a coke, too,’’ he smiles. I ignore him; looking to Joan worried about this money crap.

  “Go on, I’ll sort all this out,’’ she tells me, her hand touching my cheek lightly. Her hand is cold but the soft touch has my heart clenching and again I have to fight back tears.

  Chapter Two

  Max drags me down the street towards the local pub I used to scrounge food from. The chef, Antonio, saw me one night hanging around in the alleyway – hungry, cold and wet from the rain. He invited me into the kitchen and fed me after much persuading. It was Antonio that introduced me to Joan and got me the job at the church. It wasn’t for much money but every penny counts when you’re homeless, hungry and freezing cold. We’ve been close friends ever since. I really like him. And it doesn’t hurt his food is dee-lish-ous.

  My face immediately warms up when we walk into the warm pub and see Antonio standing at the end of the bar chatting up one of the newer waitresses. She’s around the same age as him – short hair, dyed purple, and an hourglass figure. From what I remember she’s divorced and has three kids. She seems nice and Antonio seems pretty smitten with her.

  When the door shuts behind Max, Antonio looks our way. When he sees it’s me, a huge grin spreads across his face. He’s a handsome man, middle aged, tanned skin and is quite lean for a dude his age. His hair is cropped short and he’s always sporting a five o’clock shadow.

  “I think he wants me,’’ Max whispers close to my ear, sounding frightened. The sensation of his breath on my neck has me breaking out in a sweat and a delicious shiver runs down my spine.

  “Lake, my girl,’’ Antonio shouts across the pub, his arms open wide.

  “Or not,’’ Max mutters and I fight the urge to giggle. He actually sounds disappointed that Antonio didn’t want him.

  “Hey, Antonio,’’ I greet coolly.

  “You’re too skinny, piccola ragazza. You need fattening up,’’ he scolds, shaking his head. I can feel Max’s eyes on me and I can only wonder what is going through his depraved head. “Who is this young man?’’

  “Max. I’m a friend,’’ Max says shocking me. His easy banter and cocky attitude has disappeared. He’s all serious and straight-faced. I’m also surprised he knows how to be polite, especially to an elder.

  “She needs a friend,’’ Antonio agrees, nodding his head. I just shake mine and roll my eyes. What the hell is it with people talking about me like I’m not here today?

  “I said that too,’’ Max nods and grabs a menu off the bar. “What’s the best thing to eat?’’

  “Everything, but for you I’ll make my famous pizza, pasta casserole. It melts in your mouth.’’ Smiling, I hold back a giggle from how animated he is over his food. Antonio can talk for hours over food and not get bored or out of breath for a second. He’s that passionate about it. He told me once that where he lived was a poorer town and food was a luxury that people didn’t have over there. I think it’s another reason he took me in. He knows what it’s like to be hungry.

  “People say they starving, all day, every day, when, piccola ragazza, they do not know meaning of the word starving. We do.’’

  It wasn’t until that day when he said those words that I realised he was right. Even stupid comments like, ‘Starving Marvin,’ ‘I could eat a horse I’m that hungry,’ when in reality you don’t know the meaning of hungry until you’ve actually starved, gone weeks without food. It explained why he knew everyone from the food bank. It turns out he donated a lot of food and even offers full cooked meals every Sunday for the homeless. Granted, they need a ticket that the food bank gives them; otherwise anyone could walk in and have a free meal, even people who can afford it.

  I look to Max to find him licking his lips and nodding his head. I roll my eyes and I mentally slap myself. I seem to be rolling them a lot around him. I’ve only been with him five hours and already the little twerp has gotten under my skin. I’m putting it down to the fact he stuck up for me. He doesn’t seem to judge me and, in all honesty, I kind of like him.

  “Lake, you too?’’ Antonio asks with hopeful eyes.

  “I’ve…’’

  “She’s had the flu for the past two weeks, so something light for this one,’’ Max interrupts and I punch him in the side.

  “I have a mouth, I can talk,’’ I snap.

  “Yeah, you do,’’ he coughs, his eyes staring lustfully at my lips.

  “Oh, we have only a chicken and mushroom homemade soup on for today. This is not good for my piccola ragazza.’’

  “I love homemade chicken and mushroom soup,’’ I jump in before anyone can say anything else.

  “Good, good, it’s good,’’ Antonio tells me and then disappears into the back where the kitchen is.

  “
Go take a seat at the table over by the window and I’ll bring it over. Would you like any drinks?’’ the waitress, Cam, asks and I give her a smile. She returns it with a giggle, her eyes flickering to Max before looking towards me with appreciation.

  “Yeah, can I have two glasses of orange juice, please?’’ Max answers. She nods her head and before I can open my mouth and ask for water he pulls me over to the table by the window. It has the nicest view and I wonder if he knows that or if he just sat here randomly.

  The view overlooks the river and, with all the boats that float by it’s the most relaxing place to be. The water ripples, the trees rustle and in today’s case, the rain splatters on the window. You can’t beat the sound of rain to relax your mood. But for the first time, it doesn’t work for me and I turn my attention to Max.

  “Can you stop talking for me?’’ I hiss when we sit down.

  “I haven’t,’’ he dismisses and I look at him open mouthed. He can’t be serious. He’s been doing it all morning. God, he infuriates me. First he gets me caught hiding out in the church shed and now this.

  “Whatever! Just stop doing it.’’

  “You’re really feisty,’’ he winks. “I like it.’’

  I sigh, looking up to the ceiling. I can see this being a long lunch. Deep down, though, I kind of like his full-on behaviour. It’s refreshing and different.

  Lunch was entertaining to say the least. Max not only dominated all of the conversation – not taking a breath – but he also asked inappropriate questions. Worst one was what size tits did I have. I could have smacked him across the face but I’d been too stuffed from the wonderful food Antonio had fed me that I kept myself planted in my chair.

  “So, where did you live before the church shed?’’ he asks me as we walk back to Joan’s. I thought I had gotten out of all the questions when we left the pub. Obviously I was wrong.

  “You decide to ask a reasonable question now? You’re not going to ask me how many people I’ve slept with or if I’ve ever been given an S.T.D?”

  “That’s a bit personal, Lake,’’ he tells me sheepishly.

  “Are you serious? You asked me my bra size and if I liked giving head,’’ I snap.

  “Yeah, those are reasonable questions. I like to know what I’m working with and if I’ll be getting head,’’ he tells me straight-faced; not an ounce of amusement evident in his expression.

  “You’re a jerk,’’ I snap.

  “So…’’ he trails off then sighs when I don’t speak. “Come on, where did you come from?’’

  “My mother’s womb.’’

  “Fuck you’re hot, but seriously, answer the question or I’ll get a mate of mine to do a background check on you,’’ he teases. My back straightens and I hurry a few steps ahead before turning and stopping in front of him. I push him back a step and he looks at me wide-eyed.

  “If you ever, and I mean ever, get someone to look into me, I’ll have your balls for breakfast. And if that isn’t enough to stop you, then I’ll cut your dick off and make sure it hurts.’’

  “I think the balls did it,’’ he winces. “Why all the privacy and avoiding my questions?’’

  “I lived in Endington,’’ I half lie. It’s not where I’m from but it is where I stayed before I moved here. Running farther and farther from my life back home took time. I’m currently five hours away from my hometown and with each town I got to, my heart broke a little bit more and in replace was a void I had built.

  “See, was that so bad?’’ The teasing in his voice lightens the mood again and I turn to carry on walking.

  We arrive just at the Carter’s house when Max stops me, grabbing hold of my arm. I growl wanting to get out of the rain – it’s been bad for a few days, but today the storm seems to be getting worse.

  “What?’’ I ask, looking at his hand holding my arm.

  “Where are you going?’’

  “Um, Joan’s?’’

  “Nuh huh, we’re going to Denny and Mason’s.’’

  “Hey, let go,’’ I yell when he doesn’t let go of my arm and instead drags me towards Denny and Mason’s.

  “No, I know what you’re going to say and what you’ll do if I let go and I’m not listening to your bullshit excuses. Plus, everyone wants to meet you.’’

  I pull with all my might, finally getting free. I stumble for a second but catch myself from falling and as I turn to run, strong arms wrap around my waist, stopping me. He lifts me up, throwing me over his shoulder and I scream at him to put me down. I threaten bodily harm but he ignores me and my fists that are currently pounding on his back.

  I hear a door open and the chatter of voices, but as soon as we get closer all conversation comes to a halt. All the blood has rushed to my face but even if I wasn’t hanging upside down, I’d still be bright red right now.

  “Is there a reason you’ve kidnapped Lake?’’ a deep voice asks.

  “She needs to socialise. Some fucker at the church planted money in her pocket. Joan’s sorting it out,’’ Max answers and I cringe. Now they’ll all going to think I’m a thief. It’s only right. I’m homeless for fuck’s sake. Who else would they blame? Everyone at the church is going to think the same too.

  “Well, that explains why you’re here and not there,’’ another deep voice rumbles, walking in behind us. I lift my head, but all I manage to get a look at is black boots and a pair of strong legs.

  “Who would do that?’’ Harlow gasps. I’ve spoken to her a few times so her voice is one I recognise. She’s pretty freaking cool if you ask me and, shit, she’s fucking pretty too.

  “My guess? The bitches who were giving her shit this morning,’’ Max shrugs and my body bounces from the movement. I stay silent, too embarrassed to speak, and silently I curse him to put me the fuck down.

  “Let me guess, Jessica and her little dolls?’’ Kayla speaks, her voice soft. If anyone knows what they’re like it’s Kayla. She’s had to listen to their shit for nearly as long as me.

  She hasn’t been working a lot, though, since she lost her best friend. Joan filled me in, but even if she hadn’t, everyone at the food bank had been gossiping about it. You can still hear the sadness in her voice from losing her. I’ve spoken to her a few times about her, wanting to support her, but mostly, with a hidden agenda. She’d been coping extremely well, all things considered, and I wanted to know her secret, but alas, there is none.

  “Yeah those,’’ Max says.

  “Sounds like something they’d do,’’ Kayla agrees, her voice laced with venom which shouldn’t shock me; she’s spoken out for me a few times. Still, being even a little hard-toned doesn’t suit Kayla in the slightest.

  “Is there a reason you’re still holding Lake?’’ the deep voice from behind speaks again and I silently thank him. I’m starting to feel sick and I’m about to warn Max but he interrupts, his voice causing me to shiver.

  “Shit, forgot you were there, sweet cheeks,’’ Max chuckles then slaps me hard on the ass and I squeal in pain. When he slides me down his hard body, I’m in two minds, but I go with the most hostile because I think the alternative, which is rubbing myself all over him, would cause mixed signals. I push him back, giving him a glare and narrowing my eyes. He gives me a wink, but I carry on glaring. I’m about to storm out of the door but I’m stopped short by running into a hard body. I look up and the older brother, Maverick, looks down at me with a kind smile. I have to say it’s a much better greeting then the hostile one I received at the station a few weeks back. But still, the older brother still unnerves me.

  “You joining us?’’ he asks and I shake my head. He’s really good looking. Not Max good looking but he has this bad boy, mysterious vibe going on that you can’t help but be drawn towards. I’ve seen him a few times over the past few weeks, but now I realise I had seen him before but hadn’t been paying much attention. He would help with the deliveries at the food bank sometimes for Joan.

  “I…I…’’ I stammer.

  �
��Of course she is,’’ Max interrupts.

  “Yay! I’m so happy you’re feeling better. Joan said to give you time to settle in and get back on your feet before we could come and see you. Plus, she didn’t want us all catching the flu,’’ Kayla smiles when I turn back around.

  “This here is Mason; that goof is the ugly twin, Myles; that grumpy fucker is Malik and you’ve met Maverick, the one behind you. The hot blonde one is Denny, this hot one is Harlow, and you already know Kayla. Oh, and she’s hot too. The only one you need to know is this little princess, Hope, she’s beautiful,’’ Max tells me, introducing me to everyone.

  I watch in fascination as Max picks up the most beautiful little girl in the world. She gives him a toothy smile and smacks the building block on his mouth. He just laughs and nuzzles his face into her neck, blowing raspberries. This is not the Max I’ve come to know. This is… this is just puzzling. Never, and I mean never, would I have pictured Max to be like this with children. He seems like the type to run away and hide from a kid.

  “Hey,’’ I wave shyly at everyone, yet my eyes can’t leave the sight of Max holding the cute little girl. She’s giggling uncontrollably and I find myself smiling with her. It’s infectious.

  “Lake,’’ Kayla’s loud voice makes me jump and I look to her and shake my head. I have to fight the urge to look back at Max. It’s bizarre seeing him with that baby. As if the good looking git needs to be more attractive, but seeing him with her just makes him so much more attractive.

  “I said; is watching, ‘The Longest Ride’ okay with you?’’

  Scott Eastwood shirtless? Hell, yeah. I don’t mind one single bit. I’ve not seen it. In fact, I can’t remember the last movie I watched. Even at Joan’s the past two weeks I’ve not really watched one. I watched some tele, but I’d been too ill to concentrate. Even so, I’m still not out of touch with the world of hot men. I’ve even seen pictures of him and Taylor Swift in her new music video. Hot, damn, that boy is all kinds of hot and you would have to be dead not to agree. Even his dad, Clint, was a looker back in his day. If my nan was still around today she would tell me he still is a looker, but hey, I’m not into the whole older men scene.