by Ciana Stone
Taking that into account, and the way the Westons treated Max, she didn’t doubt that if they knew they would probably do something to him, like having him permanently drugged or institutionalized.
“I see your point,” she agreed. “So tell me what you heard.”
Max nodded then turned to the keyboard and typed out what he’d overheard Mark and Charles say on the phone. Nikki read it quickly.
“I knew it!” She grabbed him in excitement. “We need to get into his office.”
No. It wouldn’t be smart for him to keep anything there. Robinson is in charge of security for the entire building since Westons owns it. I guarantee he and my father know the contents of the files in the office. If he has information it will be somewhere secure. A bank vault or perhaps a safe in his apartment.
“You’re right! Okay, we obviously can’t break into a bank so we’ll try his apartment. Do you know where he lives?”
Max shook his head, then held up both hands, palm out like a street cop stopping traffic. She looked at him curiously. He smiled and motioned for her to follow him.
Nikki didn’t realize where he was going until they started down the hall to his mother’s suite. She looked around to make sure they weren’t being watched. It didn’t take Max long to locate Charles Abernathy’s address and private phone number in the address book in Helen’s desk. Nikki tore a slip of paper from a pad on the desk and jotted down the address.
Quickly, they returned to Max’s room.
Nikki’s mind was in gear, trying to figure out how they could get into Charles’ apartment. Suddenly she stopped and looked at Max. “If that guy Mark takes care of the security, does that mean that it’s all monitored and controlled from some central location?”
Max nodded. She whooped and jumped around. “We can do it, we can do it!”
He took her arm to stop her and she explained her idea. “Ben can hack into anything. If he hacks into the main computer, he can get us by security.”
Max had to admit it sounded like a plan. But he didn’t like the idea of talking to her friend about it over the phone and typed it out on the computer.
Nikki thought about it. “I know! Some friends who play in a band have a gig tomorrow night. If I can talk Osgood into switching my night off from tonight until tomorrow, I can talk to Ben about it then.”
Max nodded but his lack of enthusiasm was obvious. It dawned on her Max was probably not looking forward to being left behind. The more she thought about it the less she liked the idea. In fact, she had a much better idea.
“If we can get Osgood to go along with it, then after they turn in, we can sneak you out to the garage. You can hide in the trunk until we get off the estate.”
Max wasn’t sure about the idea. He had never been to a “gig”. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t been off the estate by himself since he was brought home from Iraq. But the idea did have its appeal.
She took his hand. “Come on, Max. It’ll be fun. We can have a few beers, dance—you can meet my other friends. Please?”
Are you sure you want them to meet me?
“Of course I am! Please. It’ll be fun and we won’t have anyone watching us.”
As nervous as the idea made him, he agreed. It would be almost like a date. That thought made him break out in a sweat. What did one wear on a date to a “gig”?
Chapter Seven
Max was combing his hair for the fourth time when Nikki tapped on the door.
She smiled at him as he opened the door. “Wow, look at you!”
He wasn’t sure if that meant he was acceptable or looked foolish. The former he hoped. He raised his eyebrows and indicated his clothes.
“You look great!”
So do you, he signed to her.
She smiled at the compliment. “Thanks. You ready?”
He nodded and pointed to the bed. She checked it out. If anyone came to check up on him it should pass a cursory inspection.
“Great. Let’s go.”
Max almost forgot. He held up his hand then went to the desk and retrieved an electronic card for the front gate and an iPhone.
“I have one.” She pulled her card from her pocket.
Not like this, he typed on the keyboard of the phone. This one belongs to my father’s driver, Steve. The security system monitors everyone who enters or leaves the estate and the times. If we use this one, it won’t register as you having left.
“Well, okay. But do you think it’s necessary? I mean, Osgood knows I’m planning on going out.”
He shrugged. As far as he was concerned it paid to be extra careful.
They made it to the garage without being seen. Nikki opened the trunk of her car. Max took a look inside and grimaced.
“Sorry.” She’d forgotten about the junk she’d crammed in the trunk when she left Mr. Sprull’s building. Shoving it as far into the back as possible, they made room for Max to climb in.
“I’ll stop as soon as we’re out of sight of the gate,” she told him and shut the trunk.
Max didn’t like being closed up in the trunk. He felt the car moving, stopping, and heard the sound of the gate as it unlocked. The car started again. A few seconds later the car stopped. Max sat up as Nikki opened the trunk.
“Woohoo!” she cheered. “We made it.”
Max got in the passenger seat beside her. She cranked up the volume on the radio and looked over at him with a grin. “This is going to be great!”
Max smiled but his confidence was far less than hers. What if he made a fool of himself? What if her friends didn’t like him or thought he was a freak? Would she be embarrassed to be seen with him in public?
Uncertainty made his stomach feel queasy.
Nikki looked over at him and her smile disappeared. “Hey, you okay?”
He shrugged then nodded. A little nervous.
She reached over to give his arm a squeeze. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. You’ll like my friends and Ben’s dying to meet you. It’ll be fun.”
Max hoped she was right.
—
The nightclub seemed crowded to Max when they entered. Nikki held onto his hand as she led him toward the bar. She smiled at the bartender. “Hi, Mike.”
“Nik! Where you been hiding?” The bartender looked at Max. “Or should I ask?”
She laughed at the remark. “Could I get a couple of beers?”
“Sure thing.”
She pulled some money out of her pocket and put it down on the bar. The bartender put two bottles in front of her. She handed one to Max.
“Cheers!” She touched her bottle against his and took a drink.
Max hadn’t had beer since he graduated basic training. The fact that he remembered it surprised him. Could it be that his memory was starting to return? He’d consider it later. Right now he just wanted to enjoy the moment. He took another drink. It was good but not as good as he remembered. Nikki smiled at his reaction.
“Been awhile, huh? Come on, there’s Ben.”
With a firm grip on Max’s hand, she led the way toward a table where a tall man with sandy brown hair was waving at them.
“Hey, you made it!” Ben leaned over and gave Nikki a kiss on the cheek. “And this must be Max. Glad to meet you, Max. I’m Ben. Ben Marshall.”
Max smiled and extended his hand. Ben didn’t hesitate to take it.
Nikki introduced the rest of the people at the table. “Max, this is Bill. Soon-to-be legal-eagle extraordinaire. Cat and Jimmi and this big guy is Tony, ex-jock turned musician. Tony and Jimmi are in the band.”
Max nodded to everyone.
“So what’s your thing, Max?” Tony asked.
Panic flared and Max looked to Nikki. She gave him a smile and turned to Tony.
“Max doesn’t talk.”
“That’s cool,” Tony smiled.
Max relaxed a little. The talk turned to everyone catching up. He listened and watched the way everyone seemed so interested in one another and so at ease. Nikki made
sure that he was included in the conversation, interpreting his gestures for them. They all seemed quite unconcerned with the situation, as if it were perfectly normal.
“Well, it’s time.” Tony stood and looked around. “Where’s Tom?”
Jimmi got to his feet and pointed toward the stage. “Where else?”
Max looked and saw a man in a wheelchair, seated in front of a keyboard. Tony and Jimmi made their way toward the stage.
“Hey!” Another man wearing dark glasses, being led by a thin woman with a shaved head, stopped beside the table. “Am I late?” the man asked.
Everyone laughed. “Just under the wire, as usual,” Ben replied.
The man shrugged and felt for the woman’s hand. “Lead on, darlin’.”
Nikki leaned over to Max as the couple moved away. “That’s Phil. He’s blind but one hell of a bassist.”
Max was surprised. He’d never imagined that Nikki had so many handicapped friends. Yet she didn’t seem to pay any special attention to their disabilities. His opinion of her and her friends grew.
The band started and everyone at their table cheered, clapped and pounded on the table. Max didn’t feel comfortable doing anything but clapping.
During the first set, everyone at their table just listened and drank. Max had two beers and his head was starting to spin. When the waiter came around again, he declined another drink, but Nikki grinned at him and told him to live it up, so he ordered another.
The band took a break and talk started up again. Ben wanted to know how Max could figure out the equations he’d given Nikki so fast. With Nikki’s help Max explained that he just did it in his head. Ben got very animated and started talking about algorithms and programming. Everyone groaned but Max, who thought it was interesting. Before long they were scribbling on all the napkins. Ben would ask his opinion and several times commented how cool it was to meet someone who spoke his language. Max had to admit it felt pretty good to him too. He caught Nikki smiling at him several times, and once she even reached over to give his hand a squeeze.
Music suddenly blasted from the speakers and Nikki stood. “Okay Ben, you’ve had your turn. Now it’s mine. Come on, Max. Let’s dance.”
Max wasn’t sure about getting up and dancing in public. He looked up at Nikki with uncertainty. She smiled, took his hand and pulled him to his feet. “Come on!”
Nikki whirled around as soon as they were on the floor and extended her hand to him. He took it, trying to will his feet to move, but they were rooted to the floor. Nikki pulled on him, drawing him closer. “It’s no different than dancing at home. Look around, no one’s even paying attention. Just relax and go with it. Here everyone just does their own thing.”
He tried to relax and after a couple of selections found himself not quite so tense. The music slowed and Nikki looped her arms around his neck, swaying in time to the beat. The feel of her body pressed against his made Max’s palms sweat. Hesitantly he put his hands on either side of her waist, very lightly.
She smiled up at him and hugged him closer, resting the side of her face against his chest. As if of their own accord, Max’s arms wrapped more securely around her. God, she felt good.
Nikki felt relaxed for the first time since she had taken the job at the estate. Max seemed to be fitting right in with her friends, particularly Ben. It had made her feel very good to see Max communicating with someone about something he was interested in. That, combined with a couple of drinks, made her forget her reservations somewhat and relax the restrictions she had placed on herself in her behavior with Max. For someone who hadn’t been out in public in a decade, he seemed to be just fine. Maybe he was more mature on several counts than she’d realized.
And it did feel good to have his arms around her with no worries of what someone would think or concerns about being seen.
The music ended and he released her. She smiled up at him then they reclaimed their seats at the table. The rest of the evening passed quickly, everyone talking, laughing, enjoying the music and one another’s company. They were the last to leave.
Ben suggested they all head to Wanda’s for breakfast. Nikki didn’t see any reason for the evening to end. She asked Max and even though he’d never had breakfast at a diner, he agreed.
There were few customers at that time of morning. Wanda came out to give Nikki a hug.
“Where’ve you been? I was starting to think you were mad at us.”
“You know better than that.”
Wanda looked at Max seated beside Nikki. “Hmmm, and does this good-looking man have anything to do with your absence?”
Nikki laughed. “Well, I guess you caught me. Wanda this is Max. Max—Wanda.”
Wanda smiled widely at Max. “Welcome to my place, Max.”
Max nodded and smiled. Wanda didn’t seem to notice his lack of speech.
Everyone ate and talked some more then Cat got up to play some tunes on the jukebox. She motioned toward the rest of the party. “Come on, guys.”
Everyone groaned, made noises, but got up. Nikki glanced at Max. He shrugged and let her pull him up. Before long they were all dancing and laughing.
A man entered the diner, staggering slightly. He ran into Nikki, almost knocking her down. Just as she gained her footing he grabbed her again from behind.
“Hey, baby, shake that thing on me.”
“Not even in your dreams.” She tried to pull away but he held on.
“Hey, ease up, buddy!” Ben started toward the man.
“Fuck you.” The man snarled and moved his hand around to Nikki’s breast.
She bucked back, ramming her head into his nose. He cursed as he let go of her and grabbed his nose with one hand.
“You fucking bitch!” He made a move for her as he lowered his hand and saw the blood.
Before anyone else could react, Max jumped in front of the man. His face was twisted in a visage of rage, his eyes flashing and his mouth moving with unspoken words.
The man struck out, hitting Max in the stomach. Max barely flinched. Nikki reached out for him but before she could get to him, his clenched fist met the underneath of the man’s chin. The blow lifted the man up and sent him stumbling backward, flailing.
Wanda ran out of the kitchen. “Hey! What’s going on here?”
The man, who had fallen back against one of the booths, staggered to his feet. “That bitch and her asshole friend attacked me, that’s what.”
Wanda looked at Nikki.
“No way. Swear to god.”
Everyone jumped in, making it impossible for Wanda to understand anything with everyone talking at once. Nikki noticed Max still staring with malice at the drunk man who was shouting about calling the police.
Her alarm bells went off. She couldn’t let the police get Max’s name. She shouted for everyone to shut up.
“Wanda, I swear it wasn’t our fault. That guy came in, grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. He was feeling me up, and when Max tried to stop him he hit Max.”
Wanda looked at Ben. “Is that how it happened?”
“Yeah, exactly.”
Wanda threw her hands on her ample hips and turned on the drunk. “Get out of my diner.”
“Fuck you, I ain’t going nowhere. It’s a free country. You can’t tell me where I can and can’t go.”
“Like hell I can’t.” Wanda advanced on him. “This is my place and I won’t have troublemakers. Now either you get yourself out of here, or I’ll call the police and have you hauled out.”
The man thrust out his chin then looked around at everyone staring at him and turned. “Fuck all you assholes.”
Everyone cheered when he left. Ben grabbed Wanda’s arm and lifted it up like a prizefighter. “Winner and still champ-een.”
Wanda rolled her eyes but smiled as she pulled away from Ben. “I declare, you kids are gonna be the death of me one day.”
Ben laid a resounding kiss on her cheek and she grinned. “Get on with yourself, Benjamin Marshall.”
&
nbsp; Ben turned and clapped his hand on Max’s shoulder. “You the man, Max! Whooo! Did you see that uppercut?”
All the guys cheered. Max looked uncomfortable. Nikki took his hand. “Thank you.”
He smiled uncertainly and she gave him a hug. “My hero.”
When she pulled away, his smile was stronger.
“Well, guys, I think I’ve had as much excitement as I can take for one night,” Tom said.
“Yeah, me too,” Cat agreed. “You ready, sweetie?”
“Sure.” Jimmi nodded and turned to Nikki. “Good to see you, Nik. You and Max drop by. We’ll smoke some chops and some herb and chill.”
Nikki gave him a kiss then one to Cat who had just planted a big one on Max, leaving him looking stunned. “We’ll do it. See ya.”
Everyone left but Ben and Bill. They took a seat at a table with Nikki and Max.
“Okay, you mentioned you wanted to talk to me about something,” Ben said to Nikki.
“Yeah, I wanted to find out how I could go about bypassing a security system to get into someone’s computer files.”
“Christ on a crutch!” Bill got up. “More illegal activities. If you’ll excuse me. Ben, I’ll wait in the car.”
“Hey!” Nikki called as Bill turned to leave. “Nice to see you!”
Bill stopped. “Yeah, you too, Nik. And Max, it was a real pleasure meeting you. Just do me one favor. See if you can talk some sense into these two before they end up in prison.”
Max smiled and shrugged.
“Now as I was saying…” Nikki started again as Bill left the diner.
“Yeah, I heard you.” Ben leaned back and regarded her solemnly. “But you’re talking breaking and entering, Nik.”
“Like that carries any more of a jail term than hacking?”
“Touche,” he smiled. “Okay, what exactly are we talking about?”
