Page 18 of Max

“I want to, though. It’s the least I can do for forcing your hand.”

“I’m still not sure this is the best idea.”

“Maybe not, but I’d rather have someone in here I can trust.”

“How did you meet my sister? She usually stays on the west coast.”

A small smile tilts the corners of her lips. “I was at a club, and Desi stumbled into me, causing me to spill my drink down the front of my dress.”

“Was she drunk?”

Shay shook her head. “Your sister doesn’t get drunk.”

“Thank God. She’s diabetic, and alcohol could put her into a diabetic coma.”

“I didn’t know that.” Des had never said a word to her. She was going to get an earful later.

“It’s not something she tells a lot of people, even though her agent is always on to her to share her story. Says she can use her platform to help others struggling with the same disease, but Des refuses to do it. She doesn’t want to admit she’s sick, but eventually, she’s going to end up in the hospital. She’s really good about eating right and taking her meds, but still, with her lifestyle, it’s only a matter of time.”

Max wasn’t wrong. The life of a pop star wasn’t as grand as people would think. There was a lot of stress and demands on Desiree’s time. Shay didn’t know how her friend kept up with it.

“She usually takes things very seriously. I’m surprised she’s not with this.”

“Dad and I have talked about it. Neither of us can figure that girl out when it comes to this.”

“When I met her, she wasn’t drinking. It was my drink that spilled.”

“When did you meet? I don’t think she’s been in New York for a while.”

“No, it was when I was out in LA and still married. Duncan loved to drag us out to clubs every single night. See and be seen.”

“Sounds tiring.”

“It was.” She dug into her food, and they were quiet for a while. Shay kept stealing little glances at him. God, he was gorgeous. It should be a crime to be that sexy. How was he not married? Some woman should have snapped him up by now.

“Shay, I have to ask you some questions. I’d like to wait until you’ve slept, but I have to give my bosses an update in a little over two hours.”

“Okay.” She set her food down and took a fortifying sip of her coffee.

Max sighed heavily. He really didn’t want to do this to her, but it was necessary. Usually, it was Viktor or Kade who did this part of the interview, but they’d both agreed he should since she seemed more comfortable with him. Damn Desi and her mouth.

“These are going to be uncomfortable questions.”

“Do I have to answer them?”

“If you want me to have all the information I need to keep you safe, then yes, you have to answer them.”

She curled up on the couch and tucked her knees against her chest. “Okay.”

“I have to know, could this stalker be an ex-boyfriend, someone you dated after your divorce?”

“I haven’t had a boyfriend since I split with Duncan.”

“Then someone who’s a booty call?”

He saw her face flame and wished he hadn’t been so crass, but fuck, this wasn’t what he usually did.

“No. There hasn’t been anyone since Duncan. After what he put me through, I couldn’t bring myself to go there again.”

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