Page 260 of Money Reigns
Why did I say that?
Why did I bring up hismother?
I read his psych eval.
I know better.
Why did I poke the bear?
“How do you know that?” Maksim’s voice is quiet. Too quiet.
His eyes narrow. “Does Beaumont know?”
“No,” I say quickly. “No, just me.”
He tilts his head. “So I kill you and no one will know.”
The tears come instantly. Hot and humiliating.
A sob breaks.
He sees it. Freezes.
I remember what I read. He doesn’t cry. Can’t handle it when others do.
“War gave up the building for me and I—”
“Stop that,” he snaps, reaching for a tissue from the corner of his desk.
He hands it to me, and it’s oddly… gentle.
Like he wants me to stop crying because he genuinely doesn’t know what to do with it.
I pat my tears away.
“I need tokeepthe Parker Building,” he says.
“For what?” I ask, voice rough.
“That’s none of your business.”
I take a breath. My voice steadies.
“If it’s just to sit there. If you’re only holding it because of your father—trying to prove something, make a point about his failure, then fine. Keep it in your name. But letusbuild it. Let us make something good out of it.”
He steps back.
His brows furrow so deep they nearly meet. One hand hovers near the gun holstered at his waist.
His voice turns sharper. “How do you know so much about me?”
I swallow, my breath catching in my throat. He hasn’t moved, but I feel it. The shift.The danger.His hand is on his weapon.
“Maksim—” I try, but his expression darkens.
“Whosentyou?”
No longer curious.Suspicious.I take a step back.
