The Maxwell Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3

by Alexander, S. B.

  “Kade,” she pleaded.

  I slipped a finger inside her and sucked on her clit. She mewed more little noises, moving her hips into me. Every muscle in her legs tightened before she moaned her release.

  When she finally relaxed, her moans barely a whisper, footsteps sounded above us. I jerked up my head to find horror painted on her pink cheeks.

  I grinned. Between the panic in her eyes and her flushed face, she was downright beautiful. “They’re probably going to the bathroom.” I kissed the inside of her thighs. The toilet flushed. More footsteps. Then a door closed.

  Her features relaxed. I shucked my shorts then crawled up onto the couch. She swung a leg over me and braced her hands on the back of the couch on either side of my head as she straddled me.

  I grasped her hips, guiding her down onto Mr. Steel. Once inside her, I stilled.

  Her eyelids slid shut. She was warm, wet, and ready. She opened her eyes, pressed her hands to my chest, soft to hard, and began to move. Love and lust washed over her as her cheeks flushed even more. I wanted to give her control, let her drive, but I was dying to thrust hard and fast. She splayed her fingers on my heated skin as she lifted her hips, and when she did, I drove into her, hard. She gasped.

  Slow was not in my vocabulary. With my hands anchored to her hips, I lifted her up and brought her down, groaning from the friction our bodies created. She pressed harder into my chest, meeting every movement as I moved faster, taking us higher and higher until our bodies were drenched in sweat. She moaned my name softly. She was mine. All mine.

  My rhythm increased as we both got lost in each other. Then she clenched around me, and I exploded, a jolt of heat spreading through my groin then my entire body, the rush roaring through me. She collapsed against me, both of us laboring for air.

  I tangled my hands in her hair. “I love the crap out of you.”

  “This is the best way to start the day,” she whispered as she tried to regulate her breathing.

  No doubt. I hoped the rest of the day went off without a hitch.

  Chapter 19

  Lacey

  After an amazing rendezvous with Kade, I showered and headed home. With bodyguards tailing me, I kept checking my rearview mirror. A black SUV trailed two cars behind me.

  The past couple of days had been a whirlwind. I had trouble processing all of it. Bodyguards following me all the time, a grandfather—who might be responsible for killing Mom and Julie—popping up out of nowhere, Dad supposedly possessing a red ledger that belonged to the mob. And I was more than curious about Dad’s past, especially since his past had led to the deaths of Julie and Mom. Maybe his adoptive family had the red ledger. I hadn’t thought about that angle until last night. We’d been so caught up in how everyone was going to protect me that we weren’t putting our heads together to figure out where this book was. Or thinking about what would happen if we couldn’t find it. Lorenzino couldn’t keep killing until Dad produced the book. The man would run out of family members.

  In my mind, we had to take a step backwards into the past. Clearly, Dad didn’t have the ledger. As we were cleaning the house from the break-in, we didn’t find anything missing, and we didn’t find a red ledger. Dad had given me the nursery rhyme book, and that was the only thing he had from his mom.

  I found Dad on the couch in the family room. The news was on, and he was dozing.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  He opened his tired eyes. Boy, he appeared to have aged so much since the funeral. I got comfortable on the couch next to him.

  “Good morning.” He kissed me on the forehead. “I know you don’t have much time.” He sat a little straighter. “I know you’ll have a ton of questions, and over time I’ll answer them. For now, I wanted you to know that my adoptive sister, Gloria, lives in Boston, and she’s married to Jeremy Pitt.”

  “What?” My face had to be twisted up like a pretzel. “The guy Wes works for? The guy who’s connected to the mob? That guy?” My mouth was wide open. I seriously couldn’t handle any more surprises or information. “Are you telling me you’re related to two mob families?”

  We could write an epic novel on our lives.

  “Her husband is a Harvard grad. He’d been a prominent defense attorney up until a couple of years ago. No one said he was connected to the mob. He runs businesses.”

  “Dad?”

  He held up his hand. “Lacey, put aside for the moment the word mob. Please. Frankly, I’m tired of hearing that word. We’re humans. We make choices. In the case of both my families, whoever they are, I didn’t choose them. And as much as I don’t want anything to do with my past, my sister wasn’t the one to blame for why I took off. And that’s a story for another time,” he said sternly. “Gloria and Jeremy are concerned about us.”

  “You’ve talked to her?”

  “The first time I’ve spoken to her since I left home was three weeks ago. According to her, she’s been searching for me for years. She found me in LA a few months before the murders. And when we moved here, I never sought her out. Her husband discovered that we lived in the area.”

  My head spun like a spinning wheel spinning yarn. Questions flew through my mind. Yet the one that stuck out the brightest was, “Have you asked her if she has the red ledger? Maybe she didn’t give you all of your mother’s things.”

  “Sweet Pea, I will. I’m going to speak with her and Jeremy. Let me worry about this. I know you want to help, but I want you to concentrate on—”

  “School and baseball.” I was tired of hearing that one. He was right though. I’d worked hard to get to this point, and I did want that baseball scholarship to ASU. But lives could be at stake—Dad’s, Rob’s, even those of the men who protected me.

  “Have you considered that Lorenzino could hurt you?” I asked.

  “He won’t,” he said matter-of-factly. “He needs me to find that ledger. I’m not telling you not to worry, because I know you will. But rest assured Detective Fisher is watching every move Lorenzino and his men make. You should get to school.”

  Reluctantly, I rose. “Can I meet Gloria?” I was excited to meet someone in Dad’s family.

  “Let’s get through this first.”

  I guessed I could wait. Concentration on baseball was key. Our first game was next week. I needed to be in my zone. Coach was counting on me, and so was the team. A reprieve from all this would help my clouded mind. I kissed him goodbye and headed to school.

  I sent a text to Kade once I was in class. I knew he would worry even though I had men tailing me.

  He sent me a heart and a smiley face back along with How did it go?

  I texted him back. I now could be related to another mob family… lol.

  Can’t wait to hear all about it. See you at lunch.

  I had the urge to laugh out loud. I couldn’t wait to see Kade’s reaction when I told him I was related to Pitt.

  During lunch, Coach Dean requested my presence in his office. When I arrived, I found Shaun and Aaron sitting inside.

  “It’s short notice, but Mr. Camp has asked if I could send you to the middle school this afternoon. He would like your help with his gym class since most of his players are in gym, and he’d like you to stay afterwards and help his team. He’s also asked if I could send three players. Shaun will be going with you. I’ve already set up passes for you to leave school early. This is a great opportunity for all three of you.”

  “Coach, why Shaun?” Aaron flicked a thumb at Shaun. “No offense. You’re new here, and we do have some great ball players.”

  Shaun shrugged. “I was curious, too.”

  “Mr. Camp has pitchers who need work. Shaun has a great change-up and splitter. Lacey has her fastball, curveball, and slider. Gather your things and head over there. He’s expecting you within the hour.”

  I w
elcomed the change in pace, despite having to work with Aaron. The opportunity to teach my skills to a younger crowd would take my mind off my problems and give my brain a chance to clear.

  I trudged to my locker to drop off my books. I was about to dart down to the cafeteria to let Kade know my plans when Shaun sauntered up. His locker wasn’t far from mine.

  “Can I bum a ride?” he asked. “I don’t have my car today.”

  “Yeah, meet me out in the main lot. I have to do something first.” I hurried down the hall, past other students hanging out near lockers, chatting. I rounded the corner and saw Kelton either talking to a brunette or about to kiss her. They were so close that it was hard to tell.

  I slowed my pace and cleared my throat. His head came up, and he gave me one of his cocksure grins. “Kade is looking for you,” he said, not budging from the girl.

  “Can you tell Kade I’ll be at Swain Middle? Aaron, Shaun, and I are helping a teacher with gym class and baseball practice.”

  He stuck his finger in his ear, moving it around. “Okay, I think my ears are clear. Did you say that you and Seever are helping little kids?”

  I couldn’t remember if I’d ever shared that news with Kade or his brothers. “Shocker, right? I’ll send Kade a text as well.”

  He wasn’t going to be happy about Aaron and me working together.

  The ride over with Shaun was a non-event. The black SUV followed us and parked in a spot along the road where they could see me. Gym class was held outside under the warm March sun, a welcome change to the cold and snow we’d had last week. The field was clear of any snow, though it was still damp. Eight out of the twenty students were on Swain’s baseball team. Aaron, Shaun, and I were working with those on the team.

  I was enjoying the fresh air as I worked with a boy, Eddy, and girl, Pam, who were having trouble with their fast pitch. We spent time talking about how to hold the ball, the mechanics of the pitch, and how to breathe when pitching. Aaron had taken four players to a grassy area on the side of the school to work with them on batting. Shaun was working with two boys on their pitching on the other side of the field from me. Mr. Camp, a man in his forties, was holding down the fort with his other students, having them throw a baseball back and forth to a partner. My group was close to a heavyset boy who was throwing to a meek girl with blond hair. From the looks of it, she didn’t want to be there.

  “God, you’re pathetic,” the heavyset boy said. “Throw the ball like you mean it.”

  The tone of the boy’s voice caused me to stop and watch. The blonde returned the ball, but it fell short of the boy.

  “Girls shouldn’t be playing baseball,” he said. “Pick it up and throw it again.” His tone was condescending.

  I swallowed as my face heated. I’d had plenty of boys in middle school tell me the same thing, even though I could throw.

  With her eyes downcast, the girl gingerly picked up the ball.

  I regarded Eddy and Pam.

  Pam said, “Ron is a bully.”

  I got that. What seeped into my pores, spawning my anger even more, was that the girl was obeying him. I trotted up to the girl. “What’s your name?”

  She picked up the ball. “Tiffany.”

  “Can I see the ball?” I held out my glove. “Would you mind if I play catch with your partner?” I didn’t want to embarrass the girl. I also didn’t want to put her in a worse situation where Ron would lash out at her, thinking she needed a big sister to fight her battles.

  She lifted a dainty shoulder.

  “Would you also mind if I taught him a lesson? I know you have to go to school with him.”

  “Be my guest,” she said in a soft, low voice. She went to stand with Pam and Eddy.

  “Ron,” I called. “It’s you and me. Show me what you got, dude.”

  He smirked as though he was about to show me a thing or two about how to throw a ball. He whipped one at me.

  I threw the ball back, not hard. We volleyed for several throws. He had a good arm. Then I readied the ball for one of my seventy-mile-an-hour fastballs. One of those pitches in anything other than a catcher’s mitt could bruise a hand and sting like ten beehives. When he caught it, he squealed. Pam and Tiffany giggled. Eddy chuckled.

  “Is that all you got?” Ron said as he returned the ball.

  A few more fastballs and the boy wouldn’t be able to hold a glass in his hand. I threw another one. That time his face grew beet red. I didn’t want to torture him too much. I also didn’t want to be accused of bullying myself.

  I jogged up to him. “The next time you call someone pathetic, or tell a girl she shouldn’t play baseball, or pick on Tiffany, remember that sting you feel in your hand. You got it?” I whispered so low only he could hear.

  His head bobbed up and down fast at every word I said.

  When I joined my group, Aaron was walking up with his. “Showing off, Robinson?” he asked.

  “Teaching,” I responded. I had other smartass comments, but I kept them to myself. I didn’t want to come off as a bully in front of my group or Tiffany.

  “Is Lacey treating you right?” Aaron asked Tiffany.

  “She was great,” Tiffany gushed with excitement.

  I did a double take. “Relation?”

  “Sister,” Aaron said as he mussed Tiffany’s hair.

  I didn’t know why I was surprised. Then again, I didn’t know much about Aaron’s personal life.

  The bell rang, and we had about fifteen minutes before we had to shift from gym class to practice with the entire team. I used that time to send Kade a text, figuring he should be getting out of his last class for the day.

  Chapter 20

  Kade

  I pinched my nose right between my brows. My fucking headache was back. I stalked into the Ashford Library and scanned the immediate area. I hadn’t spotted any black SUV on my way in. I assumed Chloe would show up in one of the black Escalades since those vehicles were standard issue for Wes’s team.

  A middle-aged lady, hunching behind a semi-circular counter to my right, peered over her reading glasses. My phone vibrated in my hand. It was a text from Lacey.

  Sorry I missed you at lunch. I hope Kelton told you. I’m at Swain Middle working with kids.

  I texted back. He did. I’ll see you later.

  I wore a hole in the tile floor as I paced in front of the entrance. You can beat the hell out of me for not telling you I had a date with a gorgeous blonde, a date with your cousin.

  Where the fuck was Chloe? I had at least an hour with her if the knife-like pain in my head didn’t kill me first. My headache had slowly been blooming like a damn spring flower since lunch, when Kelton had relayed Lacey’s message. Not being able to talk to her before my meeting with Chloe had driven me bat-shit crazy. It was bad enough Lacey was going to be furious that I’d held back so much information. Even more so if she found out I already met with Chloe or someone saw me with another girl.

  People talked in this town. Kids from school came to the library. Smooth move, Maxwell. You’re the one who chose the public place. Well, it was fucking better than a private one. At least if we met in a public place, I could claim that I wasn’t trying to hide anything from Lacey. I laughed silently at my reasoning. Either way, I was in the shitter. I should call Mr. Robinson and have him join me. That way we could both take the heat. For what? He did his part.

  The door opened. Blond, beautiful, and way too happy for my mood, Chloe sashayed through the doors. Her hair draped over her blue blazer and the low-cut white clingy top underneath. She carried herself like a magazine model. Christ, Maxwell. Get your head out of your ass. I was going to hell.

  I ground my teeth together so hard I swore I heard them crack.

  She beamed as she set her sights on me. “Kade, nice to finally meet you. My f
ather was rude in the garage last week. But hey, the situation called for it.”

  That was rude? I’d call it fucked up. Anyone who had his men hold five guys at gun point for fighting each other had to be insane. “I think he got carried away over his Mercedes.”

  She drew her body up to mine and planted a kiss on my face.

  I jerked back.

  “Sorry, habit. Just a friendly gesture.”

  I was afraid to sweep the room to see who from Kensington was in the library. Since it was Friday, I’d venture to guess not many. “Why don’t we get started? I have to meet my girl later.” Or sooner, if possible. “Let me check with the librarian and make sure we can use that room.” I flicked a finger to the empty room adjacent to the main entrance.

  “It’s free,” the librarian said from behind her counter. “Go on in.”

  I guess there was something to be said for eavesdropping. Chloe went in before me. I was strung as tight as a guitar string as I ambled in behind her.

  She removed her math book and a notepad from her leather bag. “So, I suck at math,” she said as she settled into a chair at the end of the table.

  And I suck at relationships. “Well, let’s see what you got.” I slid into the chair next to her.

  Opening her book, she said, “My test is on logarithms.”

  I leafed through the chapter on logarithms. After forty-five minutes of explaining and her asking questions, she seemed to be catching on. So, I chose five equations and two word problems for her solve. While she tackled problems, I practiced my speech to Lacey in my head. As I did, I kept fidgeting, squeezing my temples, squinting from the bright light above, and checking the time.

  Baby, I’ve wanted to tell you something. I had to wait until your father… That wasn’t a good way to begin. Baby, I’ve known something for days now, and I haven’t told you because it wasn’t my story to tell. No, scratch that. Either way I was bringing her father down with me, and he wasn’t at fault here.