Page 111 of Off Court Fix

The mistake Hunter makes is calling Maxine a bitch the moment we step into a corridor that leads to the stairs down to the squash courts—where no one is around.

“You’re going to back off,” I growl, tugging on the lapel of his tuxedo jacket before I shove him against the wall and release him.

Hunter straightens his jacket. “Do you think I let someone put me on the hook for a million and a half dollars and just back off?”

I swallow. Was Maxine’s move bold? Yes. Am I impressed? Sure. Was it stupid? Also yes.

Hunter pushes off the wall. “I’ve been after you for six months trying to get back into—”

“Shut up.” I turn my eyes to the right where attendees walk past. “Read the room, you moron. You shouldn’t even be here.”

“Whatever you’re running with Maxine, then you just made big trouble for the both of you.”

Now I’m the one who doesn’t care if people turn their heads and see that I have Hunter pinned against the wall. I see nothing butred, and it’s so hot I imagine piping hot steam might be shooting from my ears.

“I’m going to tell you thisonemore time, and then you’re going to walk right back into that room, hand a check over for all the money you owe, and you’re never setting foot in this club again.” I push my forearm harder into his neck. “Forget about just going near her. If you even say her name and I find out, you won’t have to worry where the bodies are buried, alright? You’ll be one of them.”

“Crosby?”

Hunter and I turn, finding Maxine at the edge of the stairs going down to the court. “Come here,” I tell her. “Take the keys out of my pocket and go wait in the car.”

I add more pressure to Hunter’s neck when I see his eyes drift to Maxine. “Look atme, asshole.”

Maxine’s hand trembles as she reaches into my pocket, taking my car key.

“Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”

I wait until Maxine is safely back down the stairs, out of Hunter’s sight and reach.

“Do we have an understanding?” I ask, loosening the pressure on his neck but keeping him against the wall.

He narrows his stare. “Don’t be stupid, Crosby. Biting the hand that feeds you doesn’t always end well.”

“Don’t get it twisted, Hunter. I fed you for all those years. I handed you opportunity after opportunity on a silver fucking platter. That’s the only mistake I’ve ever made. It would be anhonorto see you fall, even if I go down with you.” I release him entirely and dust my palms, as if I’m trying to erase the scum of him from my skin. Turning on my heel, I call out over my shoulder, “Be careful about betting against a man who has nothing to lose, Hunter.”

I take the stairs as quickly as I can so I can get out of here and to the car. But I’m not fast enough to be out of earshot when I hear Hunter respond, “What about a woman who will lose it all?”

* * *

I made the mistake of letting Maxine drive. She was sitting behind the wheel with the car running when I made it out, and at the moment, I didn’t have the focus or clarity to tell her to get out. And now I have to sit in heavy, uncomfortable silence, fiddling with my seatbelt because I have nothing to focus on to rip myself away from my thoughts.

My mother.

Hunter.

Maxine.

“Pull over.”

She tilts her head to me. “What?”

We’re about five minutes away from my house, but I can’t stomach being in my head for another second.

“I said pull over. I’m driving.”

“You’ve been drinking.” Maxine shakes her head.

I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I’ve been drinking, but I’m notdrunk.” I know this because I’m sober enough to begin to calculate how I can kill Hunter, dispose of his body, and eviscerate his existence from the world. I’ve gotten to step three—bury pieces of his body in the grounds of the club beneath the hydrangea bushes. But with my luck his poison would turn my beautiful blooms a vomit type of green.

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