Page 74 of Primary Seduction
“People surprise you when you least expect them to,” Max responded.
They arrived at the bakery and saw Jocelyn and Harper sat in a window seat inside. They entered and Trent went to sit down while Max ordered a couple of drinks.
“Hey. How are you both?” Trent asked carefully. He knew how he felt about this all, but it would’ve come as more of a shock to his daughters.
“Confused, mostly. Shocked. Why would she do this?” Jocelyn frowned.
“Because she’s greedy,” Harper answered without any emotion clouding her voice. It worried him. Harper was the most emotional of all of them. She kept everything inside her and let very little out. “I had wondered why she was home at weird times of the day.” She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers. “Years ago, I remember her working long hours, but lately, she’s been home at similar times to me. You know how my schedule is not full days, right?” Trent nodded. “Well, she’s been home at eleven in the morning, one and two in the afternoon over the last few months. I can’t even remember when it started. I never thought anything of her behaviour. I knew she’d always been…difficult.” She looked up at Trent. “Why didn’t I realise something was wrong.”
He reached across the table to hold her hands in his. “Because you have your own life, and it’s not your job to be her caretaker or parent. You concentrated on yourself, which is as it should be. If anyone should have noticed, it’s me.” He squeezed her hands before letting go and leaning back when Max arrived with their drinks.
“Hey, how are you doing, girls?” Max asked.
Trent loved the fact that Max had taken to the girls so quickly. He watched as he talked to them, seeing Harper shift a little closer and her face begin to clear. Jocelyn was her usual friendly self. He was so glad they got on well. He sat, listening to their conversation turn from the situation at hand to college and university, and he knew Max was trying to distract them. His heart turned over as he looked at Max. Max caught his eye, smiled hesitantly, then went back to the conversation. How had Trent wasted so much time without him. A couple of weeks ago, he would never have thought he’d be in a relationship, let alone one with a man. But surprisingly, he was fine about it all. He didn’t have any hang-ups about being gay or bi, or whatever. He supposed it had something to do with his friends being gay and so open about it.
When this was all over, he was going to sit down and talk to Max about their future. Because as far as he was concerned, he was all in.
****
Chapter 15
Max
Max was glad when Trent took over the conversation. He had no idea what he was doing; he was just trying to distract the girls a bit while Trent seemed to have withdrawn inside his head.
“Shall we head out?” Trent asked, standing.
“Are you sure you want to do it this way?” Max asked, finishing the last bit of coffee. He honestly thought Trent was making a mistake and needed to at least speak to his brother first. But it was Trent’s choice.
“Yes, I think it’s best. I’ll call Samuel on the way though and let him know what’s going on.”
Max blew out a relieved sigh as he stood. “Thanks.”
Trent reached for him, and he went into his arms without fighting. “I know you’re worried. You don’t have to come. It might be better if you didn’t—”
“I’m coming. I’m not letting you do this alone. You don’t need to.” Max was firm with his words. He’d be more worried if he wasn’t there, to be honest.
“Okay. Let’s go then.” Trent let him go but linked their fingers together before leading the way out of the bakery.
They were parked in different areas, so Max said goodbye and headed to his own car. They were heading straight for the lion’s den, so he knew he wouldn’t be far behind them. He’d remembered the house from when he’d worked on it, every time he drove past, he’d shiver.
Throughout the drive, all he could think about were the worst-case scenarios. He just hoped like hell she didn’t own a gun.
When he pulled up, the others were already there and waiting on the pavement. He quickly joined them. Trent pulled him to the side where the girls couldn’t hear.
“I’ve been talking to Harper, and she thinks Trish is going to be here. Do you want to stay outside?” Trent asked Max.
“No. I’m coming in with you. If it makes things worse when we’re in there, then I’ll consider leaving. But to begin with, I’m there.” Although he was worried sick, he wouldn’t leave them to face it alone.
“Okay, in which case, can I ask that you keep an eye on Harper, please? I’m not too worried about Jocelyn, but Harper could easily be swayed and pulled back in with Trish’s words.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“If things get bad, get out, then call Samuel—both girls have the number—then call the police. I have no idea how she’s going to react, but you leave me there and get the girls out. Do you understand?” Trent was firm and kept eye contact, making Max realise he was completely serious about the leaving him part.
He blew out a breath. “I will do everything in my power to keep those kids safe.”
Trent nodded once, then kissed him. “Thanks.” He walked back. “Let’s go.”
