Or, maybe that’s exactly what he expected.
Chapter 12
"Who the fuck is that? I fucking work alone." Outrage boils in Katrina's voice. Her body stiffens next to Max, leaning closer to the window, her fierce gaze trained on the man striding down the steps.
Yet, her ire can't even begin to touch the fury raging through him. Complete and absolute betrayal from one of the few men he ever trusted with his life. "You don't know him?"
"No." She turns to him, her lips parted in surprise. "Do you?"
"Yeah. He used to be my best friend."
Her forehead crinkles, still not understanding she's been played. "Then why's he here?"
"He ordered the hit."
"I thought Nick hired--"
"You were tricked." He lets out a deep sigh. Anger causes mistakes. And, right now, he can't afford any. "Come on. Let's find out what he really wants."
The pilot pulls open the door, and Katrina charges past his outstretched hand, unwilling as always to accept assistance from anyone. He shrugs at the confused aviator before stepping onto the concrete, hunching slightly under the still spinning blades.
Katrina's fury unleashes on her employer before Max reaches them, her finger jabbing a few inches from Paul's chest. "What the fuck are you doing here? This isn't what I agreed to."
"Yeah, like you kept up your side of our arrangement." His former friend points to him. "He's supposed to be dead."
Smug satisfaction rather than disappointment flows through Paul's voice. As if he knew exactly what would happen when Katrina showed up to kill him. Unlike some people, Paul apparently does his research when he drops ten million on a fake hit. Max nods to him. "Well, I'm not. So, what the fuck do you want?"
"I need your help." The amused inflection fades from Paul's tone, a flash of uncertainty flickering in his otherwise stoic expression. "A business associate took something that belongs to me, and I want it back."
Fucking great. Paul lost some cash or drugs and is fucking stupid enough to think he'll be the one to go after them for him. What a waste. He turns and walks toward the helicopter.
"I want..." The confidence wobbles in Paul's voice behind him. "...her back."
Her.
What the fuck? His stomach clenches at the thought of someone hurting Paul's wife, a quiet, kind woman, a good mother to their children. Yet, something spins in the back of his mind. If she's missing, his parents and sister would know about it and be freaking out. He turns back and scans Paul's rigid body, comparing the man's tells to his words. "Jordan's been kidnapped?"
Paul's mouth curls into a disgusted smirk. "You're still as righteous as ever, aren't you? Always too..." He rolls his fingers as well as his eyes. "...honorable to think a man would ever be unfaithful to his wife."
"Nothing to do with me. I just expected better from a Medal of Honor recipient." He meets Paul's challenging gaze, disappointment coiling in the pit of his stomach that his friend has fallen even farther than he has. "What happened to you?"
"Same thing as you. Greed instead of glory. I just did a better job of hiding it. Everyone still believes I'm an officer in the country's finest."
The fucking irony. Both Paul and Katrina's eyes widen as he laughs. Yeah, he is fucking crazy. And done, his mind imploding at past ghosts interfering with his future. "Well, if you're going to kill me, go ahead and get it over with. Otherwise, I'm out. I need to get back to the States."
Where hopefully the woman he loves waits for him. He'd give everything he owns to know Cord was able to get Gina to go back without him and she's safe. And, doesn't hate him.
Paul shakes his head, a bitter frown crossing his face. "As much as I want to, I can't. I need you."
"Why me?"
"I can't do it by myself, and you two are the best. Besides, I know you could never say no to helping a woman."
Guilt rolls through him, but he can't. Not this time. Not when the women in his life need him more. Gina's probably furious with him, unable to admit her pain at thinking he abandoned her. He must prove himself to her before he can do anything else. He takes a deep breath. And, Shae doesn't need anything else to hurt her or her pregnancy. "Well, this time you're wrong. I won't help you or your girlfriend. You got her into this, you can get her out."
"I have something that might make you change your mind."
His body freezes at the implication, but he squelches the icy panic throbbing in his veins. He'll play the game. For now. Until one of them is dead. "What?
Paul nods to the man standing next to the limo, and the bodyguard opens the door. Air can't make it through the vice crushing his chest as she hops out of the car. "Uncle Max!"
Gabby.
She runs to him, her tiny arms sliding around his neck before the torrent begins. "Me and Luke and Noah got to ride in a helicopter and we saw birds flying out the window and I could see my house and then we got to ride in limo and then we're--"
"Hey, jelly bean, slow down." He pulls back from her grip, forcing a happy expression to greet her. She seems okay, a huge smile matching the light dancing in her eyes. No fear or worry. Just her normal bubbly self. "Sounds like you're having a good time."
"We are! Will you come with us? Mr. Paul said we would get some ice cream if we were really good and listen to what his friend says and then--"
He swallows hard. He's got to get her the fuck out of here before some fucking idiot gets trigger happy. "Not this time. Why don't you go back with your friends, okay? Have fun. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
She gives him another quick hug before she runs back to the car. The boys wave to their smiling father, unwitting players in his charade, before the door shuts.
Pain shoots through his jaw from clenching his teeth so tight. Only a fucking monster puts his own kids in jeopardy to save his mistress. "You God damn son--"
"Save it. We don't have time. As soon as you step on the plane, he'll take them home. Safe and sound. Let's go."
Guns aim at both him and Katrina, yet unnecessary to aid his decision-making. He'll do whatever it takes to protect Gabby and Gina. Motioning for her to go first, he follows Katrina up the steps into the dark cabin.
*****
Gina slumps against the textured metal wall, cold and vibrating under her skin as they glide upward. Only twenty more floors until they reach the top. Where she's been summoned to meet with the boss. Her stomach drops from both the quick ascension and the impending confrontation. “Tell me again why I’m here.”
Her father smooths down his lapels, still wearing his suit at this late hour. Because of her and her stupidity. "Nick needs to speak with you."
Her body aches as much as her heart, after a four-hour plane ride trapping her with nothing else to do but think. About everything she wants to forget. How her uncharacteristic naiveté, coaxed by Max's tender affection, let hope swell where only hatred flourished before. “It’s two am for me, and I just want to go to bed.”
Another lie but her father doesn't need to know. Doesn't need to hear that what she really wants is to drink until Max's face is too blurry to make out the piercing greenness of the only eyes that can see right through her, to the places she keeps hidden. To forget the feel of his gentle touch, his rough fingertips gliding across her back in the darkness, soothing her pain even when he thought she was asleep.
She shakes away the memory and her head. She hasn't told the truth in so long, why change now? "Please, just let me go home."
Back to a lifeless apartment to sleep alone. For those few hours last night, she allowed herself to enjoy the taste of sweetness she knew could never really be hers. Now bitter reality fills her heart while her bed remains empty.
He tips his head down to hers, worry creasing his brow. “No, hija preciosa. You cannot go home. It is not safe for you to be by yourself.”
Precious child? Fuck that. Her father is as bad as Nick. She's fine. If they plan to smother her with worry like Nick does Shae, they’re out of their f
ucking minds. No way is she putting up with that.
A soft bell pings before the doors slide open. Good. She's sick of looking at her tired reflection, her limp hair and dark rimmed eyes another blow to her shattered ego. After they step into the ceramic foyer, he presses his hand against the black and silver box adjacent to the glass doors. She smirks at the thick material. Bullet proof of course. This business may be legit, but Nick doesn’t take any chances the repercussions from his other life will explode into this one.
Enrique’s picture flashes on the screen, and the lock clicks free. He yanks the black handle and ushers her inside by her elbow, as if she might make a run for it in the other direction. The thick carpet muffles their footsteps, her gait quickening to match her father's long strides. Nick paces in his office at the end of the corridor. “You fucking got that? Nothing until I know.”
The hardness of his voice echoes in the otherwise dark and silent work spaces. He jerks off the earpiece and tosses it on the desk before taking a long drink from the small tumbler sitting next to his laptop. Her father knocks on the half-open door. A curt nod gains them entrance.
Nick's gaze swiftly skims her body before meeting her eyes again, his expression tight with a rare uncertainty. “Are you okay?”
Shame pierces her chest at the doubt floating in his eyes. She's not that fucking fragile. She won't go off the deep end just because she let herself fall for the first guy who showed her any attention, no matter how fleeting it was.
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
What the fuck is going on? If he thinks she's going to talk to him about her broken heart, he's as crazy as she is. “Yes. Stop fucking asking...”
Like a rocket, his concern jets from anxious to fury at her petulance, his eyes darkening as they bore into hers. Fuck, he’s a scary dude. Okay then. Time to dial down the impudence. “Yes, I’m fine. I don’t know why everyone’s so worried. Women get dumped all the time. Max is probably lying on a beach with some--”
“Are you fucking kidding me?"
Incredulousness pounds in his voice. Oops. The flames stoke to an inferno at her obviously wrong choice of words, although she doesn't understand why.
"This isn’t about you. I don’t know what went on between you two, and right now I don’t give a damn.” He presses his fingertips into his forehead, massaging the taut muscles. “I just need to find him.”
"What are you talking about? Where is he?"
"I don't know."
A shudder rocks her body at his defeated tone, his normal confidence gone. There's no way in hell Nick would ever not know where Max is. “You really are worried.”
“Fuck yes." Nick's eyes widen as he leans closer, ensuring his meaning is clear. "I haven’t heard from him in six hours. He’s not contacted his family or any of the team. He wouldn’t do that. He would never willingly disappear.”
He’s right. Max would never leave. Not abandon her or Shae or any of them. Ice rolls through her body at the realization. She always thinks the worst, making her doubt the man who more than proves his loyalty. God, she really is a fucking selfish bitch. So damaged, swimming in her own pain, she misses the obvious truth. Until it rips through her heart like a bullet. Max is missing.
“Until we figure out what’s going on you’re staying at the house. I can protect you better there.”
“Okay.” She wraps her arms around herself, suddenly freezing. Max is in trouble, and maybe not even Nick can save him. “Whatever you need me to do.”
Whatever it takes to bring Max back. So she can fix her mistakes and accept everything he tries to give her. And, make sure he believes she feels the same way.
“Shae doesn’t know yet.” Nick's grip tightens around his glass, worry pinching his expression at frightening his wife who’s been through hell the last month. Actually, ever since Shae’s known Nick. Yet, somehow they’ve made it through. “If she’s not awake when we get home, I’ll tell her in the morning. But, I want it to come from me. No one else tells her but me.”
She nods at his request. Really more of an order. But, he's right. Only Nick can make Shae feel safe, reassure her that he will make everything okay or die trying. Just like Max.
Chapter 13
Max’s woodsy cologne mingles with a sharp hint of peppermint, the twisted scent wafting over Gina as she pushes open the door. Only the second time she’s been inside his bedroom, never expecting to be here alone, not anticipating him to ever be gone. The ache throbbing in her chest crawls to her throat. What if he doesn’t come back?
She drops down onto his bed, unable to sleep in hers. The quietness of the guest room Nick took her to before retreating to his office, lets her fear rage. Too much and too loud, overwhelming her with questions she refuses to think about.
Wrapping Max’s thick, white comforter around her shoulders, she rubs her arms trying to stop the trembling, attempting to quiet the anxiety engulfing her body. The suite is just as neat as before, no dirty clothes strewn across the sofa in the small living room or used dishes sitting on the wet bar. Yet, hollowness fills the once cozy space. Goosebumps prickle her skin without his touch, missing the warmth of his body cradling hers after over-indulging on champagne with Carrie at Nick and Shae’s wedding.
That night, and every time they’re together, he takes care of her. Never disappoints her or lets her down, his gentle protectiveness always constant despite her instability. Shame burns her cheeks.
No matter what happens she’s going to make this right. Remove all his doubts. Prove she loves him even if he may never know it. No! She jumps up and paces across the room, refusing to let herself think like this. He will come back, and they will be together. He’ll know she believes him, and she’ll let go of her jealousy. She’ll be divorced.
Richard.
Her fingers shake as she swipes her phone screen and taps his number. Please, please, please pick up.
“Gina?”
He answers on the third ring, the grogginess of his voice not masking his worry.
“Yeah, I’m sorry it’s so late.”
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
No, but that’s not why she called. “I need to see you.”
“Now?”
His concern rockets, fueling her guilt. Fuck! What time is it? “I guess not. Can we meet tomorrow? As soon as possible?”
“Yeah, you can come by before class starts.”
She doesn’t want to wait that long but she has to be rational, not disturb him any more than she already has. Not upset the entire house by leaving in the middle of the night.
“If you need to come over now, you can.”
God how she wants to. She craves nothing more than to run over there and have him sign the papers. Hold the pen in his hand and guide his fingers into his signature if she has too. But, she can’t. It’s too much. For him. For Nick. For Shae. For once she has to think about someone else besides herself.
“No, it’s okay. It can wait.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll be here.”
Of course he is. Never any question where he was or what he was doing. Too bad she can’t say the same thing about herself. “I know. You always are. You’ve always been there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Doubt hums in his soft voice, questioning everything beyond her request to meet. “Yeah. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She tosses the cell on Max’s dresser, next to a stack of papers. Tiny blue lines cover the stark white sheets. Her fingers glide over the words: Elliana, the hotel where they stayed in Vegas. She flips to the next curled-edge document. Plans from the club for Carrie’s bachelorette party. All mapped, every entrance secured, each camera marked. For Shae. But, her too. His protectiveness for all of them, and she walked away. Stood under the glowing lights and tried to make him choose.
Her stomach drops at the realization. Her request wasn’t for him to love her more than Shae. Instead, s
he asked him to break his commitment to Nick, to turn his back on the promise he must keep to feel like a good person as he fights the demons from his past.
Never again. She’ll accept what he gives her, not asking for anything more. A photo drifts to the floor as she pushes the blueprints back in place. Her breath catches. The two of them on the deck, standing by the burgeoning fire. His sexy smirk in place, his gaze on her as she looks away. Frustration lining her face. Maybe disappointment. Most likely jealousy.
But, he kept it. A memento of their friends’ wedding and the first night she and Max spent together without having sex. The first time she let herself hope they might be something more, have a chance at something real.
Her fingertips trace his strong jaw line, resting on his twisted lips. That she will feel against hers again. Even if she has to go with Nick herself to get him back.
“Gina?”
Shae’s soft voice floats from the hallway. Second time she’s been caught where she doesn’t belong. But, she’s too tired to care, too worried about Max to feign any guilt.
“Gina?” The door pushes open, and Shae smiles at her, the genuine emotion dampened by the fear in her eyes. She knows. “There you are.”
Gina shakes her head before letting her gaze drop to the floor. “I’m sorry I--”
Warm arms slide around her, slight but resolute, comforting both of them in their turmoil.
“I’m scared too. But, Max is strong, and Nick’s too stubborn to give up until he finds him.”
She nods against Shae’s shoulder. Both sentiments are true, yet not powerful enough to quell her panic.
“And, there’s some good news. Andy was finally able to trace his path. They’re flying to Greece.”
What the hell? Gina leans back from her friend’s embrace. “Why?”
“I don’t know. But Nick and the guys just left. They’re going to get him back.” Her eyebrows lift as she smiles, trying to convey a nonchalance neither of them believes. “But, until then you and I are going to hang out here.”
Truth About Tequila (Surviving Absolution #3) Page 10
