by Reana Malori
“I’ll tell you as much as I can.” He grabbed her shoulders, turning her around toward the stairs. Swatting her on the ass, he pressed her to do what he asked. “Go on.”
Looking back at him, she knew something was going on. Pausing on the stairs, she watched him crack and stretch his neck. He walked over to the door, allowing Nico into the house. Nico was turned to the side, talking to one of Max’s other men, his hand braced on his hip. Kiana’s eyes widened as she saw the black shoulder strap under his jacket. A black gun appeared to be stored inside.
Not wanting to get caught spying, she quickly turned and went to change. Whatever was going on, Max wasn’t getting away with keeping her out of it this time. Pulling out her jeans and a pullover shirt, she put on her clothes without much thought to fashion. Grabbing a band, she pulled her hair into a ponytail on top of her head.
Within five minutes, she was walking into the living room where Max and Nico sat. Both men looked pissed.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Might as well jump right into it.
“Hey, Kiana,” Nico called out in a cheery tone. She knew what he was doing, but wasn’t going to fall for it.
“Hey, Nico. So, which one of you are going to tell me what’s going on? Max has been pacing the floor every night. Phone calls coming in during the middle of the night. And he’s been highly agitated about something.”
Max looked at her with hooded eyes, as if assessing her. She knew what he was trying to figure out. What did she know? Better yet, what did she think she knew? Deciding to let them both off the hook, she smiled. Walking over to Max, she lowered herself down to his lap. Lazily wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Give me a dollar.”
“What? Why do you need a dollar?”
“Max, give me a dollar.” Rolling her eyes, she wished her man would occasionally just go with the flow.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a stash of money. Unfolding the bills, he looked at the money in his hand. “I don’t have a dollar.”
“Then give me what you have.”
Peeling off a twenty, he smiled at her. “What are you up to?”
Winking at him, she turned to Nico. “Hey, Nico, you should probably give me a dollar also. Or whatever lowest denomination you have in your pocket.”
Nico seemed quicker on the draw, pulling out a ten and giving it to her with a smile. “You’re smart.”
Nodding at him, she stood from Max’s lap and placed the money on the table in between them. Shifting her body, she turned to Max. “Do you know how much I love you?”
He just stared at her, a small smile lifting one corner of his lips. “I think I’m about to find out.”
A bright smile lit up her face. “Damned right, you are.” Her gaze included both Max and Nico as she began to speak. “I want to thank you both for retaining me as your personal attorney. As a member of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Bar, I can provide counsel and represent you in any court within those three states. Any discussion we have pertaining to your business—any business you own, lead, or have a controlling interest in—will be covered by Attorney-Client Privilege from this point forward. Understood?”
“Sweetheart,” Max opened, “Do you understand what you’re asking? What you’re doing?”
Her soft gaze took in his handsome face. The decision had been made long ago; it just took this moment to put her plan into motion. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Nico. Do you agree as well?”
His face had a look of smug satisfaction as he looked between Max and Kiana. “Yeah, I agree. Damn, man, she’s fucking perfect for you.”
“Yeah, I know.” Reaching out to her, he pulled her back down to his lap. “I’m never letting you go,” he whispered.
“You’d better not.”
CHAPTER NINE
Max wanted to kick Nico out and finish what they’d started before he’d come inside. He was worried about what this would mean for her career. The last thing he wanted to do was have her shamed or embarrass her with her lawyer friends if anything ever came out about him.
“Ki, I need you to be sure,” he pressed again.
“I’m absolutely positive,” she purred. “Want to know how I know?”
“I do,” he said with a grin. One hand rubbed along her thigh. From the corner of his eye, he saw Nico stand and take off his blazer. His shoulder harness was visible for anyone to see. Just as he was about to say something to Nico, she shook her head.
“It’s okay. I saw his gun earlier tonight.”
Both he and Nico froze. Nico was in the middle of removing the contraption to put it in the closet.
“If he wore it here, it’s because he needs it. Right?”
Max looked at his friend, raising one eyebrow.
Nico still removed the strap from his shoulder, but also didn’t hide it away. He held it in his hand as he positioned himself in front of Kiana. “I wear it all the time, yes.”
“Is Max in danger? Are you in danger?” Her wide eyes looked at Max and he was amazed at how calm she was. Maybe he’d underestimated her.
This time Max answered. “Sweetheart, I’m always in danger. There’s a situation with some people in Philadelphia that didn’t go the way we expected.”
“Hmmm, I figured you were into some shady things but didn’t think you fit with the Italians or the Irish. Plus, with your family background, that would be hard to navigate, right?” Looking at both men with a critical eye, she tilted her head in thought. “I’ve seen some of your crew. You have a little bit of everything in your mix. Are you mainly in the DMV?”
Smiling at his woman, and a little in awe of her at the same time, Max nodded. “We’re not aligned with any one group. We tend to do our own thing. Those who want to do business with us, will. Those who don’t, won’t.”
Pulling herself off his lap again, she paced in front of him. Nico was in the kitchen making a sandwich, so Max knew he was pretending not to listen to their conversation. Even if he heard every single word.
“You okay, Ki?”
“I always knew you were more than just a businessman. There were rumors, of course, but no one knew the truth. It didn’t really click for me until we’d been together for some time.”
Giving her a curious glance, he questioned her further. “Why would you say that?”
Waving her hand away, she replied, “There’s something about you. You don’t live in the world the same way others do. You watch, observe, and usually let others talk their way into a hole. I saw it every time we were together in public.”
“A lot of people do that. That doesn’t mean I was up to something nefarious,” he countered. She was right, of course, but he wasn’t admitting it just yet.
“Yeah, but you’re different. Nico is too, but in a different way. You’re like a predator. As if there’s something within you that focuses on the weakest link. Not like women and children weak. No, you have something in you that puts a laser focus on those you feel have a weakness. A weakness within them that makes them less than. It’s like there’s this darkness inside you that you try to hide. I’ve seen it a couple times when you didn’t think I was paying attention.”
Max’s heart stopped. His lungs were fighting against him to breathe. Her words cut through him like a knife. Shooting a glance at his friend, he saw him frozen in surprise as well. Only a few people had used similar words to describe him. Big Mama, Nico, and his uncle Dave.
It was one of the reasons his uncle wanted Max to join the white nationalist group he headed up. Dave figured whatever demons were inside his nephew, he could use that anger, that darkness, to create a swath of terror throughout Virginia and West Virginia. Since there was no way in hell Max was going to do that, it had caused a major rift in the family, with him and his mother firmly on one side. Most others stood with his uncle. Then there were those in the middle, like his nephew.
Max looked a
t his woman with new eyes. Kiana saw the darkness of his soul and accepted it. She’d already figured out he was involved in shit that was less than fully legal and loved him anyway. Had fought for him to love her back. To trust her with his deepest secrets. How could he not love this woman with everything in him?
As the silence became thick with tension, Kiana gave an embarrassed laugh. “Never mind me. I’m just glad you finally came clean with me. I’ve waited a long time for you to trust me.”
“Ki. You are something else.”
She smiled at him. “So are you. Now, you said someone’s always after you, right?”
“Well, in some way or another. Usually things can be resolved with some discussion,” he answered.
Biting her bottom lip, she placed her hands on her hips when she turned to him. “So, what’s the problem that’s happening right now? Why are you so stressed?”
Max hesitated. He’d been keeping things close to his vest for so long, it was difficult to open up and share everything.
“I’m your attorney, babe. More importantly, I’m the woman who loves you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise?” he asked in a hard tone.
“The hounds of hell couldn’t drag me away,” she responded emphatically.
They both heard Nico in the background as he whispered, “I need to find me a woman like that.”
Ignoring him, they continued to stare at each other. Max broke the silence. “Vinnie Carson. We’re having some issues that can’t seem to be resolved. He’s pushing harder than he needs to. People have been hurt, lives have been lost, and lines have been drawn. Based on some recent updates, I need to go handle some things. The negotiations have broken down.”
Her eyes cast down, as if she were deep in thought, Kiana nodded her head as he spoke. Occasionally, she’d stop and mumble something to herself. She’d then wave her hand at him, as if telling him to move things along. That’s when the pacing would begin anew. Nico and Max would look at each other, shaking their heads, but he’d continue.
“Do you have the proper paperwork in order to protect your legitimate business?” Ki interrupted as her eyes went wide.
“We do. The business is held by another company. I’m noted as the primary shareholder, with Nico next. Our third largest owner is someone I trust with my life.”
“You trust someone other than Nico?”
He could hear the hurt building in her voice. Going to her, he pulled her into his arms. “Do you trust me?”
“You know I do,” she responded, looking up at him.
“Then you know there’s nothing for you to worry about. Nico and I have to go, but I will be back for you.” He’d always promised her the same thing when he went out of town for ‘business,’ but this time the words held a deeper meaning.
“You’d better,” she whispered. Resting her head on his chest, she called out to Nico. “Nico, keep him safe.”
“I will, Kiana.”
“Max, you keep him safe also.”
“I will always protect my brother, Ki. Stop worrying. It’ll be fine.” Not that his words did anything to alleviate his own concerns. He needed to keep Ki safe. Then he smiled. He knew just where to take her.
“I need to make sure we get you to a safe space. While I’m gone for the next few days, I need you somewhere private. A place no one would think to look for you.”
“Where’s that?” she asked nervously.
“Can you pack a bag with a few days’ worth of clothes? We’ll leave in thirty.”
Ki nodded and walked out of the room. Max turned his head to his friend and began to laugh. “Welp, my woman is about to get a crash course in all things Max.”
“Oh shit, what the hell are you doing?”
“Call Terrell. Let him know to warn Big Mama. She’s about to meet her granddaughter-in-law.” Max wasn’t worried about Kiana meeting the old lady. He just wished he could be a fly on the wall.
♦♦♦
Three days later…
Max was bone tired. He’d just been to hell and back and had the souvenirs to prove it. Shifting his position in front of his bedroom mirror, he looked at the bruises on his side and winced. Kiana was not going to be happy. He’d kept his promise to come back safe. That was the main thing she’d be focused on. Then she’d give him hell for getting hurt.
Good thing Nico wasn’t around. She’d really be pissed. He winced as he pulled a T-shirt over his head. Not that he was afraid of his lady, but the longer she was pissed at him, the longer he’d go without her special brand of loving.
Dialing Nico’s number, it rang a few times before his friend picked up. “Yeah,” he ground out into the phone.
“You where you want to be?” Against Max’s advice, Nico decided to recuperate at the one place he shouldn’t be. It wasn’t a bad place, but the memories it held for Nico caused more damage than he wanted his friend to deal with.
“I’m where I need to be,” he rasped.
“You alone?” Grabbing his keys, he prepared to leave the house. It was time to pick up his lady.
“No. Hold on.” He heard the phone changing hands.
“Hey, Bishop,” the voice on the other line greeted in a sad voice.
“Hey, Lavinia. You good?” The history between Nico and Vini was difficult to explain. He considered her family due to her relationship with Nico, or the relationship she wanted to have with him. They’d all known each other since they were kids. For the three of them, that was a lifetime.
Since Nico had gone to her, he must need to get some shit settled. Either way, they needed to fix what was between them. If she said she wanted him gone, Max would try to get his friend to leave, but something told him Nico wasn’t going anywhere if he could help it.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll take care of him.”
He wasn’t going to interfere in Nico’s shit, but damn, something had to give. “All right. Lemme get at him before I go.”
“Fuck, dude. This shit hurts,” Nico’s gravelly voice sounded once again on the phone.
Locking the door behind him, he made his way to the luxury vehicle parked in his driveway. Tonight, he was driving himself. He needed time with his Kiana without others listening in.
Laughing at his friend’s pain, he took joy in busting his balls. “That’s what your crazy ass gets. You took on four large ass dudes on your own. I told you I was on the damn way. But no, Mr. Super-fucking-Soldier had to jump his ass in headfirst.”
A small laugh came through the phone. “Ow, fuck. You dick! Don’t make me laugh. Just give me a few days. Don’t get in trouble while I’m laid up.”
“Me? Nah. Never.” Pausing, he knew he was about to put his foot in his mouth. “Listen, man. Vini…she’s… Fuck. You know if you leave her this time…”
“Don’t tell me how to handle Vini,” his friend barked.
“Then you need to handle that shit the right way this time,” he snapped.
A long sigh came through the phone. “I’m trying, man.” Another pause, “A’ight, go get the little bull terrier. I’ll talk to you.”
“Later, man.”
Twenty minutes later, Max pulled up to the colonial style house. A few years ago, he’d moved both his mother and Big Mama. Those two had become fast friends after they’d met twenty years ago. Between the two of them, he had two women in his life he had to make proud. If he said so himself, he did a damn good job.
Walking inside, he yelled out, “Mom. Big Mama. Ki. Where you at?”
A loud scream sounded from the kitchen. Kiana came racing around the corner, full tilt running towards him. He winced at the coming pain before she reached him. Leaping into his arms, she wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms tight around his neck.
“You’re back. I knew you’d be back. I wasn’t worried at all. Just ask Big Mama, she’ll tell you. Why are you wincing? What’s wrong? Damnit, Max, did you get hurt? You wait until Big Mama finds out.�
�� At this, she giggled.
Pulling back from her, he looked into her face. “Baby, are you drunk?” he asked with a laugh.
Shaking her head wildly from side to side, she gave a loud, “Nope!”
Oh, yeah. She was definitely drunk. “What have you been drinking?”
“Just something your mom made for me. She said it would help relax me. But it was so good, I had three more. They’re so yummy. Have you ever had an orangesicle drink?”
“No, I can’t say I have,” he answered as he began walking them toward the sound of laughter. Walking into the sunroom, he couldn’t help but shake his head at the two old ladies splayed across the lounge furniture.
“Mom! Look! Big Mama, wake up! He’s home!” Kiana scrambled down his body to jostle the two women who were halfway to dreamland. “Mom,” she whispered loudly. “Max came back. I knew he’d be safe. I was so worried about him, but he’s home now.” As she spoke, her voice began to wobble with emotion. “He came home to me.”
Max stood there in shock. When had Kiana started calling his mother, Mom? As the two women got their bearings, hugs and kisses were given all around. Big Mama winked at him.
“I like her, Max. She’s good for you. Help you get some hair on your chest,” she cackled as she headed off to the kitchen.
“Yeah, I kinda like her too, old lady. Are you going to fix me some food?” he yelled at her back.
“You better go somewhere with that. I need a shot of whiskey if I have to deal with you. Where’s your twin?”
When he didn’t answer, she poked her head around the corner. “Maxwell, where’s Nicholas?”
“He’s with Lavinia, Big Mama.”
If a black woman’s face could turn red, he’d just seen it happen real time. “If that boy hurts her again, I swear…”
Interrupting her before she got on a tirade, he said, “He knows. This time, I think he’s got it handled.”
Squinting her eyes at him, she pursed her lips. “Mmmm hmmm. He’d better. Anyway, go sit down. You look hurt and I don’t want you passing out on the floor.”
“I love you too, old lady.”