by Tricia Owens
Max stood smoothly, elegantly. Randolph was fraying around the edges, being deliberately cruel in his search for a fight, but Max was too good for him.
“I’d pity you,” he said softly, “except you don’t deserve it.”
Randolph’s skin went red.
“Never would I have expected the great venture capitalist, Axelrod Randolph, to be nothing more than a two-bit businessman engaging in bad faith negotiations and unfair dealings.” Max extracted a business card from his coat and placed it on the desk. “You’ve breached our contract. My lawyers will be in contact. You should also expect a lawsuit for recoveries from financial harm.”
“I’m a billionaire,” Randolph sneered. “I’ll outlast you.”
“I’m an investigator. I’ll make it damaging for you if you fight me. Not to mention,” Max added casually, “that I still retain that photo of you using cocaine with a stripper.”
Randolph sputtered as though he were having a stroke.
“You’ll never beat your father!” he warned as Max turned and headed for the office door. “He’s got it out for you. You think he won’t find another man like me willing to play along?”
“Not outside of prison, no.” Max opened the door but paused and looked back at his red-faced former partner. “I invite you to keep tabs on The Elite Poole Worldwide now that our new marketing campaign is going into effect. You admire superstars, Axel. How fortunate for you that you’re looking at the next one.”
~~~~~
At The Elite Poole offices, Maxmillian’s steps felt lighter, though he understood the road ahead remained littered with obstacles. Randolph wouldn’t be as easy to dispatch as Max had boasted, though the incriminating photo he possessed of the billionaire would help tremendously. It was a powerful ace up Max’s sleeve and there was a strong chance his investigators would come up with even more dirt. Randolph was reckless when it came to his social activities.
It irritated Max, though, and left a foul taste in his mouth at having to resort to the same tactics that had been used against him and Ethan. He had to remind himself that the playing field was now a battlefield. He refused to pull any punches from here on out. He had not only his company and employees to protect, but Ethan, as well.
The blond agent was in his office, reading an article on the internet that didn’t appear to have anything to do with work, but Max let it slide. Just this once, he told himself with an inward smile.
“I assume you’re off the clock,” he teased mildly as he leaned against the door frame.
Ethan jumped guiltily and quickly clicked his mouse to close the screen. “Hey, there,” he said brightly as he swiveled his chair around. He smiled sheepishly. “Just doing some research on a potential client.”
“Your gung-ho attitude is admirable, to be sure.” Max studied him, really looked him over, and was relieved to see that the stress that had lined Ethan’s face the past couple of days had faded. He looked normal, though of course neither of them could forget what had happened nor the threat that continued to hang over their heads. “Our partnership with Axel has been severed.”
Ethan had been aware of Max’s plan for today, but he still reacted with faint disbelief. “Good thing you never asked me about my opinion of him. I thought he was a decent enough guy. On our side, anyway.”
“He’s little more than a rich psychopath. The Elite Poole Worldwide doesn’t need him.”
“We’re still ‘Worldwide’, huh? I’m glad none of this has deterred you.”
“On the contrary. I’m more determined than ever to achieve global domination.”
Ethan laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “If you become any more dominating I may need an intervention.”
“Sorry,” Max said in a low voice. “I’m dedicated to your ongoing addiction to me.”
“So am I,” Ethan said, his expression serious. He glanced past Max, reminding them both that they were at the office where the other agents tended to be nosy when it came to their relationship. “What now? How are we moving forward?”
“We continue our plans for expansion into Europe. Only now, I’ll oversee that aspect personally.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. “You’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”
Max stepped forward and allowed himself a rare, public indulgence. He cupped Ethan’s chin and tilted his face up so their gazes could meet. He tightened his grip, making it firm enough that Ethan’s breath caught and his pupils flared. This wasn’t about teasing him, though. Max understood what Ethan needed.
“You and I are going to settle this nonsense once and for all. I believe it’s time my parents met their son-in-law.”
“You’re playing with fire,” Ethan protested, eyes bright with desperation. “Are you sure this is the smartest thing to do?”
Max heard what he didn’t say: Please don’t let me be a source of conflict. Not again. Max’s father had failed to break them apart, but he had planted a thin wedge of insecurity. It couldn’t be allowed to widen.
“I refuse to permit my father to continue terrorizing and harassing you with emotional blackmail, Ethan. I will burn down Europe to send him that message. Hopefully, it will only require a lengthy dinner conversation.” He brushed his thumb across Ethan’s lips. “Trust me as I trust you. I will take care of us. I will take care of you.”
Ethan searched his eyes for a long moment, no doubt trying to predict the drama that might be avoided if they remained here in Las Vegas. Unlike Max, he handled personal confrontations with humor and empathy. Philip Poole was an antagonist unlike any Ethan had faced before and things had already proven they could get ugly. If Ethan refused to go, Max couldn’t force him, though their lack of a united front could be seen as a weakness to exploit.
Staying put and not firing back, however, would only invite more trouble from afar. Max wouldn’t call his father a coward, per se, but it was easier for the older man to strike from a distance. Ethan was little more than a cardboard cutout at whom Philip Poole could shoot countless arrows. In person, he’d be a flesh and blood man whose eyes Philip Poole would have to meet.
“I trust you,” Ethan said at last. “Of course I do.”
“I won’t promise that this will be easy.”
“I can handle anything as long as we’re together. That’s what he’s afraid of, so—not to be a jerk, but—let’s rub it in his face. Let’s go see your father.” Ethan grinned. “After all, he owes us a wedding present. It better be a damn good one.”
Max bent down and kissed him—witnesses be damned—and prayed that he’d made the right decision for both of them.
Read more from Tricia Owens at
http://www.triciaowensbooks.com
Sin City series
Dom of Las Vegas
Limited Liability
Acceptable Sacrifices
High Roller
Most Wanted
Lessons in Obedience
Death Defying Acts
The Doms Club
Easy Money
Significant Other
Aftermath
Power Plays: Stories of Sin City
A Pirate's Life for Me series
Book One: Captain & First Mate
Book Two: Island Paradise
Book Three: Pirate Triumvirate
Mr. Anteros
Juxtapose City series
Fearless Leader
In the Blink of an Eye
The Battle for Black
The Ultimate Team
My Lover, My Enemy
The Sound of Truth
Shattered Alliance
Exchange of Power
Prodigal Son
The Mind Spy
Tempted by Darkness: Stories of Juxtapose City
A:R Earth series
Angel: Reversed
Angel: Redeemed
Angel: Released
Heaven series
Territory of Angels
Spoils of War
Standalone Nove
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A Pirate's Honor
The Bucket List
Christmas Cookie Charmer
Between the Marshal & the Vampire
Favorite Flavors Short Story Collection
Hunter and Hunted
Master of No One
On Target
The Guardian
Moonlight Dragon Urban Fantasy
Descended from Dragons
Hunting Down Dragons
Trouble with Gargoyles
Forged in Fire
Rise of the Dragon
I Dream of Dragons
The Specials Urban Fantasy
Demon Leap
Vertigo Vampire
