“Who’s the dude with Becca?” I asked. The guy wore black-rimmed glasses that were bigger than his face. And he clearly had a death wish, since his hand was resting in the small of Becca’s back. She appeared to be oblivious to the guy’s touch, but Kross sure wasn’t.
He growled, and his body went rigid. “Whoever the fuck he is, the dickwad better get his hands off my girlfriend.”
“Let’s go.” I wanted to talk to Lacey, and I needed to get some air. I hooked my backpack over my shoulder.
The three of us got up. Kelton hung back to talk to a table of girls. Kross sneered at the guy next to Becca as we approached the threesome. We had about twenty more minutes before lunch ended. Kids were still coming in while others were leaving.
“Hey,” Becca said, pressing her tiny hands on Kross’s chest as she lifted up on her toes to kiss him.
He drew her to him, his gaze never wavering from the stranger as he let Becca peck him on the lips.
“This is Shaun. He’s new here.” Becca’s cheeks flushed.
Kross snarled at Shaun.
“Don’t worry, man. I’m not hitting on your girl.” Then his hazel eyes landed on Lacey. “So, I’ll meet you at the indoor facility today?”
She batted her lashes at me. Did that mean she wasn’t mad anymore? Or was I making too much out of her earlier body language? Yeah, guilt always made me think the worst.
“Shaun plays baseball. You know Coach Dean has a spot for one more player.” She grabbed my hand.
I grinned at my girl. “Can we talk outside?” What with the news about Sullivan getting shot and the tension between Lacey and me, it was time for me to at least tell her about Friday night.
We wound our way through the halls and out the main entrance. Just outside the glass doors was a cement bench. She shivered. I immediately removed my sweatshirt and gave it to her. She slipped it over her head.
“I did lie to you.” I kept her hands in my lap so they’d stay warm.
“Why?” Her tone was even.
“Honestly, I’m an idiot. Sullivan and Seever ambushed Kelton. Then Sullivan got shot by one of Pitt’s men who was at the fight with Pitt. It was an accident, and it scared the hell out of me. I thought Kelton got shot. I wanted to tell you when you got home. But I was selfish. All I wanted was you and a quiet night. Then when you saw Kelton this morning, that’s when I panicked. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” I rested my forehead against hers as a weight lifted off my shoulders.
“I’m still mad at you, Maxwell. I gave you ample opportunity to tell me. I hate that you tried to shut me up in front of your brothers by kissing me. You shouldn’t put your brothers in a spot where they have to lie either. None of that was cool.” She mashed her lips into a thin line.
She was right on all levels. “I’ll apologize to them as well.” Hell, as brothers, we owed each other a lifetime of apologies. “Are we okay?” Please say yes.
She gave me a weak smile. “For now.”
I briefly closed my eyes. I was okay with for now. Lacey stewed on things longer than most people I knew.
“So, when you walked into the cafeteria, you were seething. Then Tyler had you laughing. Care to share?” Since Lacey did let things bother her, to turn from mad to happy in an instant wasn’t in her nature.
“I saw Aaron in the hall. He told me all about the fight. Since you weren’t talking, I asked Tyler about it. He said something sarcastic about fights among boys being about who had the bigger penis.” Her lips split into a dazzling smile.
My muscles had tensed when she’d mentioned Aaron, although I didn’t know how to respond to Tyler’s analogy except to kiss her. She didn’t return the kiss. I knew she needed time, but that didn’t stop my stomach from hurting at the rejection.
“How did that conversation go between you and Aaron?” I clenched my teeth.
“He’s was an ass, but I can handle him,” she said with conviction. “He knows I’m onto his psychological games. He’s not going to ruin my season. If he does, then I’ll ruin his.”
At least for now I wasn’t worried too much about Aaron. My brothers would be at practice anyway if Aaron got out of hand. Her determination to push toward her dream of a baseball scholarship always made me smile.
“I’m going to hang with Hunt while you’re at practice. Kelton can give you a ride to practice and then home.”
“Or I can get a ride from Renee or Shaun.”
Renee would be fine. Lacey had been hanging with her since they’d both made the team. But Shaun. Like hell. In light of everything Pitt had told me, there was no fucking way Lacey was getting in a car with a total stranger alone. I’d almost be happier with Aaron giving her a ride home. Almost. I wasn’t going to make a big deal about it. Kelton would bring her home.
“What do you think they want? I mean, the ones who killed your mom and Julie?”
“Where did that come from?” Her delicate brows were pinched together.
“It’s been on my mind since you told me.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I asked Rob, and he doesn’t know either. At first, when Detective Fisher asked him about this guy, Dennis Weeks, and showed us a picture of him, Rob said he’d never seen or even heard of the guy. But I got the impression he did by the way he hesitated, looking at my dad before he answered. It was like he was asking my dad for permission to answer. Like they both knew something. I asked Rob why he was so nervous, but he said he’s just on edge. He wants to put all this behind him just like I do.” Tears clouded her eyes. “Tonight I’m going to look. My dad keeps a box of his and my mom’s treasures. I’m not sure I know what to search for, but I have to try.” She blinked and shivered.
“The bell is about to ring.” I heaved to my feet, pulling her up with me. “Can I help?” Maybe we could figure this out together. Maybe I’d have some new information after I saw Pitt.
“I’d like that.” She peered up at me, relief coloring her gorgeous face.
“So fights among boys are all about penises, huh?” I held the door open for her.
She laughed, and my heart lit up like fireworks. I wanted nothing more than to see her happy. I didn’t know what was going to happen in the near future, or if the cops would ever catch the fuckers who’d ruined Lacey’s world. But I was extremely certain of one thing. I was going to marry this beautiful girl someday.
Chapter 11
Kade
The school day couldn’t end fast enough. I was relieved Lacey and I were able to talk at lunch but was anxious to get to Boston, meet with Pitt, and get back to Ashford. Plus, I’d been thinking about the guy she’d mentioned, Dennis Weeks. We hadn’t had much time to dig deeper into who Dennis was before the bell rang.
I was inhaling the fresh air as I hurried to my truck when I heard someone call my name. I turned and found Tyler jogging toward me. I thought I should thank him for making Lacey laugh.
“Kade, wait up.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hooded Kensington sweatshirt. “So, what went down on Friday night? Are the rumors true? Sullivan got shot?”
I hated gossip. “Yeah. But I got to run, man.”
He shifted his stance. “When are you going to end that feud with Sullivan? Are you going to keep putting Lacey through hell? What if she was with you? What if he decides to hurt her to get to you? Have you thought about that?”
I laughed hauntingly. Sullivan was the least of my worries. I got in Tyler’s face. “Stay out of my business, Langley.”
His hands came up to push me away. He succeeded too. The dude’s six-foot-one height matched mine, and he was all muscle. He reminded me a lot of Hunt but with a broad chest and blond hair. The only difference was Tyler had what Lacey called ocean-blue eyes. I hadn’t paid much attention to the color of anyone’s eyes until I looked into Lacey’s. How could I
not notice those deep, mesmerizing green eyes framed by the longest fucking lashes I’d ever seen? They made my heart race and my stomach flip.
“You’re going to fuck up your relationship with Lacey.” His tone held a bucketload of jealousy and animosity. “And I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
I opened the door to my truck before I ended up sending my fist into his face. “I can take care of my girl,” I shot over my shoulder. Lacey and I still had a lot to learn about each other. Hell, a relationship with a girl was new for me. My fucking up along the way was going to happen. No one was perfect. One thing I knew for sure. I’d fight with every ounce of strength I had to make sure I didn’t hurt her.
“Kade, she’s one of my best friends. I’d kill anyone if they hurt her, including you.”
I halted midstride. He had huge balls. I stormed back to him. “Friends or not, you want more with Lacey, and I don’t trust you.”
“You should, because you’re going to need me.” His tone was cocky.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why is that?”
“I’m the only one who’s going to keep you two from splitting up.”
I tilted my head one way then the other. “Come again?”
“That rainy night in September right before the last baseball tryout when you found me at her house? You got so fucking pissed seeing me there and then seeing her with her blouse open. After you left, I was the one who held her while she cried her eyes out. I was the one who rubbed her back, telling her you were a good guy. I love her enough to make sure she gets what she wants. Sadly, for me, she wants you. I’m not an asshole who runs from my friends. Whatever the fuck is going on, get your shit together. Because if you don’t… Well, you can finish that sentence.” He studied me as his eyebrows knitted. No doubt eyeing my fists. “When you decide that you don’t want to beat my face in, we can talk.” The fucker walked away as rage filled every part of my body.
I stewed on what Tyler had said on my drive to Boston. I tried to push his words—I love her—out of my head. I couldn’t. I’d never been the jealous type. Then again, I’d never been in love before. I knew lying to her was one way to push her away from me.
“Fuck,” I screamed as loud as I could, the word practically echoing inside the confines of my truck. “Get your shit together, Maxwell.”
By the time I reached Pitt’s office, my head was pounding like someone had increased the bass on a stereo to its highest setting. The same receptionist as before gave me the all clear to proceed to Pitt’s office. Hunt was already seated in one of the wingback chairs. Pitt wasn’t around.
“You look like shit, man. Rough day?” Hunt asked in a concerned tone.
“You could say that.” I took a seat in the remaining chair. “Where’s Pitt?” I wanted to get back to Lacey. I wanted to make up for lying. I wanted us to put our heads together to search her house. Sometimes when people are too close to things, they miss what was in front of them all along. Most of all, I wanted to find the killer.
“He had to step out for something. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Tutoring? No. Finding the killer? Yes.” I rubbed my temples.
Pitt’s voice filtered in from the hall before he entered and circled his desk. “Gentlemen. Can’t say I’m surprised you’re both here.”
I growled.
“Save the I-told-you-so crap,” Hunt said.
“Easy, bro,” a familiar voice said. “Where are your manners? Mom and Dad taught you better than that.”
Hunt rolled his eyes as Wes, Hunt’s brother, sauntered in. Tall, husky, and meaner than Hunt, Wes grinned, his front teeth overlapping each other. He was dressed all in black with a gun on his hip.
“Now that we’re all here.” Pitt smoothed a hand over his tie as he eased into his leather chair.
Wes went to stand at the front corner of Pitt’s desk.
“Wes is in charge of all the security and bodyguards. He’ll have two men on Lacey at all times. Kade, you’ll be tutoring Chloe one day a week up until her finals. You’ll meet her here in the conference room.” He was all business now.
“Whoa! Slow down.” I straightened. “I told you on the phone, I have some demands before I sign my kidneys over to you.”
“Of course.” Pitt opened his palms and bowed his head.
“Don’t patronize me.” My jaw tightened.
“You mean Chloe really needs a tutor?” Hunt asked. “And with all the tutors in Boston, you chose Kade? Or are you using him to get closer to Robinson?”
I flicked a thumb at Hunt. “He has a point. Tell me what you know about the connection between Lorenzino and Robinson. We’re going to be working together, and you’re entrusting me with your daughter. I deserve to know at least that much.”
Pitt pursed his lips.
“Tell him, boss,” Wes said. “You know how stubborn Robinson is. He’s not going to tell Kade. Shit, he hasn’t even told his daughter yet. We need to keep planning.”
Hunt and I shared a confused look. Nausea was eating my stomach lining at the direction the conversation was taking.
Pitt covered his chin with his hand as he studied me. “I don’t know the connection. I don’t know what Lorenzino wants. Robinson doesn’t even know. At least that’s my assumption. But in my organization, we protect our own.”
Dryness scratched my throat. “Meaning what? That you’re related to Robinson?” I didn’t see the resemblance.
“My wife, Gloria, is,” Pitt said. “Her parents adopted James.”
My head jerked back. Fuck me. Hunt gaped.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement, but I was still confused as ever. “Why were you so cryptic when we met the other day? Why not just come out and tell me then? Why smoke-screen all this with tutoring your daughter?”
“I was feeling you out, and Robinson doesn’t want help,” Pitt said. “He’s trying to handle this whole situation on his own. I get that. A man wants to be able to take care of his family. You certainly understand that, Kade. I don’t have a caring bone in my body for Robinson. I do, however, when it comes to my family. If Lorenzino finds out the connection, my family could be in danger, too. I need to know what Lorenzino is after.” Then he shifted his dark eyes to Hunt. “And Chloe does need a tutor.”
“So you think I can convince Robinson to align with you? No offense, man, but I don’t exactly want anything to do with the mob either.”
“Sometimes, Kade, choices are made for us, especially since we can’t choose our families. And family is everything. Isn’t it?” Pitt steepled his hands, his face tightening.
Family was everything. I massaged the back of my neck. “And why do you think he’s going to listen to me?”
“As I said to you in our meeting the other day, you have a way of getting people to listen to you. You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, Chloe is finishing up her first year at Harvard. She’s having trouble with one of her basic math courses. And you let us take care of shadowing Lacey.” Pitt crossed one leg over the other.
I took in some stale air laced with cigar smoke. “Let’s back up for a second. If Mr. Robinson hasn’t told Lacey any of this, how much can I share with her?” I couldn’t lie to her again. I wasn’t even certain I could withhold this information from her. If she found out I knew, I’d be pushing her into Tyler’s arms, and this was more than a fight about who had the bigger dick. I couldn’t step into her relationship with her father.
Wes pressed his fingers into the desk. “Kade, talk to her father, if not Lacey. I don’t care which.” His voice was stern. “Mob trouble is not something we want to entertain on the streets of Boston or in small town America. The faster you get him to come clean, the easier we can all work as a team to do our jobs protecting Lacey. We don’t know when Lorenzino will strike. We suspect he’s been watching
and waiting.”
“Do you know who the killer is?” Hunt asked.
I was glad Hunt was here. I was still stuck on Robinson being related to Pitt.
Wes and Pitt shook their heads at the same time.
“Lacey did mention that the LAPD asked her about a guy named Dennis Weeks. Does that name ring a bell?” I wiped my palms on my jeans. I was in the middle of a shit storm, and so was Lacey. Suddenly, my gut twisted into a fucking huge knot. My family could be in danger, too.
“I’ll check into it, but no,” Wes said.
I didn’t know whether to believe them or not, although Pitt hadn’t lied yet, and I trusted Wes.
“People use aliases all the time,” Pitt said. “I have a meeting to get to. We’re not going to solve this today. Tell me your demands, Kade.”
In light of everything he’d just said, I had to ensure my family’s safety, too. I pinned a look on Wes then Pitt. I rose slowly, pressed my palms on the chrome desk, and bent forward. “You have some nerve.” I drilled my gaze into Pitt. “Bringing me into your circle puts my family in jeopardy.”
“Unlikely. Yet not out of the realm of possibility. May I remind you that you are dating Lacey? So, you’re already part of the circle.” Pitt’s tone was calm.
Silence filled the room. He might be right about the unlikely part, but the mob could do anything to get what they wanted.
“I’m going to be one of the bodyguards on Lacey,” Hunt said, taking hold of my arm.
When he said Lacey, I backed away and combed a hand through my hair. “Are you sure tutoring your daughter is wise given everything you told us? I mean, if they’re watching Lacey and me.”
Pitt adjusted his tie. “I’ve thought about that. She’ll have a bodyguard and you.”
His words from our first meeting came to mind: “I know you’re fiercely protective. I wouldn’t trust anyone other than myself or my wife when it came to my daughter.”
The Maxwell Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3 Page 44