Page 24 of Max

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

She shook her head, not wanting to tell him.

“We’ll get this figured out. I promise McArthur won’t come near you.”

“I know.” Her smile was weak this time, and she looked back down at the phone still clutched in her hand.

She heard him move but let out a startled cry when he squatted in front of her.

“Shay, tell me what you’re thinking.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I call bullshit on that.”

“I…” She cleared her throat. “It’s just…” Could she tell him? How would he react? Part of her cringed away from the idea of telling him how she felt because she was afraid he’d be just like Duncan. Afraid he’d want to retaliate and hurt her.

“It’s okay. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“I’m afraid of the darkness in you, Max. I heard it in your voice just now, and after everything with Duncan, that tone…it scares me.”

He rocked back on his feet, and she saw the shock of her words reflected in his gaze.

“I won’t deny there’s anger in me, Shay, but it will never be directed at you. I would sooner hurt myself than harm a woman. My mama raised me better than that. My anger is for you, not at you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Ask Desi if you don’t believe me. I’ve used my fists defending her honor more than once, but I’ve never used them on her.”

She knew that. Desi had regaled her with tales of how Max had always had her back, especially against men who tried to use her.

Still, it was good to look him in the eye and see that he meant what he said.

It settled the unease in her.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…”

He took her hand and squeezed. “I know, and you have nothing to be sorry for. Now, Jasper ordered Chinese. What say we go eat, and you tell us everything you can about Douglas McArthur?”

“Chinese?” Her stomach growled, and Max laughed. The sound caused every single nerve ending in her body to curl and purr with pleasure. The man shouldn’t have a voice that sexy.

“It’s mine and Jasper’s favorite, and believe you me when I tell you that man can pack food away like nobody I’ve ever met. He’ll devour it before we get a chance to eat if it gets here before we get out there.”

He stood and held out his hand to her. She glanced at it, glanced at him.

He waited her out.

She knew this was a test of trust. He hadn’t said it, but it was there, nonetheless.

Did she trust him?

She took his hand and let him pull her up.

“Good girl,” he whispered against her ear. This time the full body shiver had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with this man’s voice.

She let him lead her out of the office, and together they went and found Jasper, content to wait for the food to arrive.

The flight to Richmond was uneventful, as was the ride to the hospital. Max, Cole, and Jasper rented two SUVs at the airport. Max drove Shay directly to the hospital while Jasper and Cole went to her home right outside of Richmond. They wanted to meet up with Mason, who was installing security and sweeping for bugs.

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