Page 13 of Maximum Dare
I walked over to the figurine and picked it up. “I can do that.”
He knelt and shoved the laundry back into the bag. “I’ll be hosing myself down later.”
“Thank you for being so nice.”
He cinched the drawstring and hoisted the linen bag over his shoulder. “Being called ‘nice’ is a first,” he said, giving me a wink. “That word has never been associated with me.”
“Really?”
“No, I’m a criminal defense attorney. I eat people like you for breakfast.”
“Innocent people?”
“No, I meant…” He shook off a thought.
Was he referring to me as the enemy because I was beingdealtwith by him, the family lawyer? The man who knew how to make the family’s problems go away?
Max seemed to realize his mistake. “What I meant was—”
“It’s fine.” I gave a thin smile. “I’ll show you out.”
He followed me down the hallway. “This is difficult for everyone.”
“It was lovely to meet you.” At least it came off as polite.
“Feeling is mutual. I didn’t catch your last name?”
“Whitby.” I paused by the front door. “And how is this difficult for you?”
“I meant for all the parties involved.”
“I move out tomorrow. Neither you nor Nick will ever see me again.”
He followed that up with a nod of gratitude, and I decided asking for his last name was pointless.
With the front door open, I paused on the top step and let him edge by me.
“Max, will you give Nick a message?”
He stopped halfway down the path and turned to face me. “Of course.”
“Tell him I hope it all works out with Manchester United.”
His expression softened.
“Look out for your brother,” I warned.
“Always.”
There was still time to save Nick’s reputation. Maybe I was just having difficulty moving on, but I couldn’t shake this feeling that Morgan was going to be his greatest regret.
“Like you, I just want the best for him,” I added.
“I believe that, Daisy.”
I waggled Pelé’s plastic arm and faked his voice. “Don’t go accosting any more young ladies now, Max.”
Max smiled at me and then looked down at the figurine in my hand. “Watch over Daisy for me, Pelé.”
