The Maxwell Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3

by Alexander, S. B.

  “I’m not about to make excuses. You’re exactly right. I assure you I won’t let that happen again. This job is important to me. The law is important to me.” I swallowed my nerves.

  He mashed his lips into a paper-thin line. “I’ll take this report and our meeting today into consideration.”

  Bonnie poked her head in. “Sir, you have an emergency call on line two.”

  “Mr. Maxwell, Bonnie will see you out.”

  I rose. “When will you make your decision?” My dad had counseled me to make sure I closed the deal.

  “The position was originally for a summer intern. But we recently lost two lawyers, so the person I hire will intern beginning immediately on a part-time basis. Then, once the college semester is complete, it will be full time through the summer. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No, sir.” I clasped my binder as tightly as I could with my left hand. I’d taken the bandages off my right hand to let the cuts heal, but it was still sore. “And I quit my job as a model for that art class your daughter is in.”

  He cocked a bushy eyebrow. “We’ll be in touch soon.”

  Whether my last statement helped to sway him in my favor, I’d done all I could to land the job. When I got down to the lobby, I loosened my tie.

  Kross jumped out of a chair. “How did it go?” Kross and I had driven into the city together since he had a meeting with his boxing coach and Kody had borrowed my Jeep. His truck was in the shop for a tune-up.

  “We’ll see.” I hadn’t gotten a good vibe, but I did all I could. “On the way back to Ashford, can we make a stop?”

  It was time to break down the steel wall around my heart.

  Chapter 24

  Lizzie

  Dillon and I were sitting at the kitchen table playing five-card draw, which was what we’d be playing on Saturday. Once Dillon had gotten the money from his brother, Duke, and we were confirmed players, Dillon had gone to work prepping me for the game, including bluffing, the most important aspect of poker.

  “Any word from Davenport on freezing your assets?” Dillon asked as he kept his gaze on his cards.

  “Just that the court date for the temporary injunction is next week. Which means Terrance probably used more of my money for the entrance fee for this game.” I twisted my earring, chewing on my bottom lip.

  “Stop playing with your earring,” Dillon commanded. “Remember that any nervous tics will give you away.”

  “Sorry. Sometimes when I’m deep in thought I don’t realize I’m doing it.” I was staring at a crap hand of nothing, thinking of the game and Terrance and wondering how Kelton was doing. Those three things had consumed my every waking minute for the last week. I dropped the cards on the table. “I need a potty break.” We’d been at it for two hours. I’d wanted to quit an hour before to watch Magic Mike with Bee and Allie in the game room.

  “We have two days.” Dillon crossed to the fridge. “And don’t think of sneaking downstairs either.”

  As much as I wanted to, the time was closing in. I had to keep at it, more to sharpen my skills at bluffing than at playing the game. I stuck out my tongue.

  “I caught that,” Dillon said, peeking over the fridge.

  I giggled as I went into the half-bath in the hall. One part of me hated that Dillon was invested in the game. I didn’t want to be the one to strain his relationship with Duke if he couldn’t pay him back. But Dillon had said to let him worry about his family. The other part of me was relieved knowing that Dillon would be there with me. If anyone knew Boston’s underbelly, it was Dillon. Not only that but each player was allowed one guest. Dillon had Josh and Rafe lined up to have our backs in the event anything went haywire.

  No sooner than I’d parked myself on the toilet, the doorbell rang.

  Dillon’s heavy footsteps sounded as he passed by. Then the front door groaned. “What the fuck? You’re not welcome here.” Dillon’s tone was lethal.

  “I don’t want any trouble,” Kelton said. “I just need to talk to Lizzie.”

  I twirled my earring in every direction. One week without talking, seeing, or touching Kelton was probably the toughest emotional week I’d had in a long time. I’d barely eaten, slept, or even left the house. I should’ve been out searching for a job, especially with ten Gs on the line. My dad had always taught me to be ready for anything, which meant I should be miles ahead in the event I couldn’t pay Dillon. But depression had set in like it had seven years ago. I was grateful for my new extended family. If it weren’t for Bee and Allie and even Dillon, keeping me occupied with cards and movies, I’d be hiding in a corner of a closet, crying.

  “Smart not to show up here alone,” Dillon said, anger weaving through his tone. “And I told you not to hurt her.”

  “Is she here or not?” Kelton asked calmly.

  Please don’t let him in. I didn’t want to deal with Kelton or hear him apologize for what could’ve been between us.

  “You’re lucky I don’t make decisions for Lizzie. However, if she tells you to leave, then leave,” Dillon said. “Got it?”

  This was one time I wouldn’t have minded Dillon calling my shots.

  The thud thud thud of their footfalls tramped by the bathroom. Then a chair dragged, scraping the kitchen floor.

  “Where is she?” Kelton asked. “This won’t take long.”

  My heartbeat shot off the charts. If I snuck out, I’d put Dillon in a tough spot. Or Kelton and Dillon would end up in a fight. I finished my business and washed my hands.

  “Kel, Mom is expecting us for dinner.”

  “Chill, Kross.” Kelton’s tone was equal parts determination and frustration.

  Damn cockroach wasn’t leaving. We’d see about that. I steeled my shoulders then walked out and took up a post in the doorway of the kitchen.

  “What card game are you playing?” Kross asked.

  “Five-card draw,” I said as I set my sights on Kelton, sizing him up from head to toe. My stomach went crazy, spinning in all different directions.

  He was dressed in a tailored black suit, a killer blue shirt that enhanced the color of his eyes, and a silver monogrammed tie that hung loose around his neck. He’d finally had his doodling turned into artwork. Whenever Kelton had been bored in class he’d scribbled in his notebook, in particular the initials KM and the number five. A thread of sadness hit me at how much family meant to him and how I wanted to be part of his. That won’t happen now.

  “Since when do you play poker?” Kelton bore his gaze into me, soft and apologetic.

  “What do you want?” I asked, rooted to my spot. I was a second away from throwing myself at him.

  As if he knew what I was thinking, he smirked like an asswipe.

  “I want to talk to you without you running away,” he said.

  Like you run from your feelings? “I don’t have time. I got a poker game to prepare for.” I shoved my trembling hands into the pocket of my sweatshirt.

  Kross shuffled the cards expertly, the sound snapping my attention away from the Adonis. “You play?”

  “I can hold my own.” A fresh scar on Kross’s right hand caught my eye as he shuffled again.

  “Don’t you have to be home for dinner?” Dillon asked in a sarcastic tone, glowering at Kelton.

  “Not the poker game?” Kelton’s sexy grin became cold and intense.

  I should just tell him. So he could leave. The longer we bantered, the longer he stayed, breaking through my already-weak defenses. “After talking with Mr. Davenport, it would be quicker to get Terrance to turn over all the financial documents. And since he’s hard to find and the lawyers can’t even get him on the phone, my only chance is to corner him at this poker game.” I knew he wouldn’t have my documents with him. But I had to give it my best shot to plead with him to give them to
me or at least cooperate with the lawyers.

  Fury reddened Kelton’s handsome face as he turned to Dillon. “You’re letting her go into an underground poker game?”

  “If you’re here to talk,” I said, “then do so. The poker game is not your concern.”

  Kelton opened the top two buttons of his shirt. “How the hell are you going to play poker when the major part of the game is bluffing? You give yourself away all the time by playing with your necklace and your earring. And by chewing your nails.”

  I was getting better, thanks to Dillon.

  “Say your piece then go,” Dillon spat.

  “Shut up,” Kelton growled.

  Dillon pushed off the sink. Kross jumped up from the table just as fast.

  I marched over to Dillon and laid my hand on his taut bicep. “Can you give us a minute?”

  He shook his head at Kelton. “I’d throw you out with my bare hands if it weren’t for Lizzie.” He eyed me. “We have work to do. Please make it quick. And there’s a Taser in the kitchen drawer.”

  Kelton laughed as though daring me to use the Taser. I didn’t want any violence, and something told me that Kelton didn’t either. Maybe it was the contentment written all over his face, a vast difference from when I’d last seen him at Rumors. Fatherhood agreed with him.

  Kross said, “Bro, you didn’t come here to get into a fight. As Dillon said, say your piece quickly. I’ll call Mom and let her know we’re going to be late.”

  Kross disappeared down the hall, but Dillon hesitated before he reluctantly stalked out.

  “What’s your problem?” I anchored myself to the counter near the fridge. “You said you didn’t want any trouble, but you’re acting like an asshat.”

  Kelton gripped a lock of his hair. “Because you’re walking into danger with that poker game. I can’t let you do that.”

  Whether I loved Kelton or not, the man wasn’t going to boss me around. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  Calmly, coolly, and evenly, he said, “I can. I don’t let people I love walk into danger.”

  “Why would you… Wait? What?”

  He pushed off the island, wiping his hands on his suit pants. “Baby doll.” He blew out a breath as he came up to me. “From the moment I saw you in the fifth grade until this very moment standing here, I’ve never stopped loving you.”

  My lungs seized. My brain went blank, until I thought of Chloe. I frowned. “But you’re going to be a daddy.”

  He walked away, seemingly irritated all of a sudden.

  I counted to ten, hoping my pulse would slow.

  “Yeah, about that.” He came back, anger washing over his face. “Zach is the father.”

  I quietly pushed all the air in my lungs out through my nose. “Why do you look like you want to punch something?” Did he want to be the father? Darkness skirted the edges of my vision as my thoughts held steady.

  “Friends’ code and all that.”

  The light grew brighter, my pulse kick-starting. Then I remembered Chloe crying outside of the townhome that day. It was all starting to make sense. “Why didn’t you tell me when I was running out of Rumors?”

  “I didn’t know if I was the father then. I wasn’t even going to tell you until I knew for sure, but I also didn’t want to lie and make up an excuse about why I didn’t show up at Davenport’s.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “The good news is that I’m all yours if you’ll have me.”

  I nibbled on a nail. Or more like gnawed on it. I wanted him. I wanted us. But a small voice in the back of my head reminded me of our conversation in his kitchen.

  “Lizard, please say something. My heart is slamming against my chest, and my stomach hurts.”

  “You said your life would be over when I went back to Miami. What’s changed?”

  “I love you,” he said.

  “You said yourself you’ve always loved me.”

  He traced circles around my lips with his fingers. “The thought of you not being by my side scares me. I’m not going to lie. But Kade and Lacey make it work, so why can’t we? If our love is strong, we’ll survive the long distance.”

  “You’re not telling me what to do.”

  His finger stopped on my upper lip, searching my eyes. “Oh, baby doll. There will be times when I will, and you will enjoy it.”

  I opened my mouth.

  He stuck his finger in. “Now, will you have me?”

  All I could do was close my mouth around his finger. It occurred to me to bite it, but I sucked on it instead.

  Groaning, he mashed his body into me then cupped my face in his hands. “Is that a yes?”

  “Just kiss me.”

  His tongue plunged into my mouth, exploring, before demanding I respond. I kissed him back, wild and free, as a storm brewed deep inside me. I gripped his shoulders, trying to get closer to him even though our bodies were already plastered against each other.

  He broke the kiss. “I’m so fucking ready to take you right here.”

  I was more than ready for him to do wild things to me. But not in Dillon’s house, and as much as I wanted to find somewhere to show him how much I loved him, I wanted to wait until after the poker game when I wasn’t thinking about my bluffing, what hand I was dealt, or Terrance. Kelton deserved all of me, and I couldn’t afford any distractions. “Can we make a date for after the poker game? I need to focus.”

  His forehead touched mine. “I’m not sure I can wait. But I do want your full attention. And when we make love, I want you to be surrounded in flowers, touched with a feather, and caressed with my tongue.” His voice was all kinds of husky.

  Kross cleared his throat. “Bro, time to get moving.”

  Dillon came in behind Kross.

  Kelton held out his hand to him. “Man, I’m sorry for being a dick.”

  Dillon checked on me then shook Kelton’s hand. “Apology accepted.”

  “I want in on the poker game,” Kelton said.

  “Not a good idea,” Kross said. “You need to walk the straight and narrow with Davenport’s job opportunity on the line.”

  I couldn’t let Kelton ruin any chance he had with Davenport or his future as a lawyer. “We have Rafe and Josh going with us.”

  “I promise to be on my best behavior,” Kelton pleaded.

  “Man, you’re a hothead. We can’t risk it,” Dillon said curtly.

  “What if I go with?” Kross asked. “I can be muscle and keep this one in line.” He stabbed a thumb at his brother.

  I wasn’t about to intervene or sway Dillon’s decision. He was only part of this poker game for me. He’d gone out on a limb, borrowing the money from his brother for me. So if he felt that Kelton shouldn’t go, I would support him.

  Dillon rubbed the scruff on his face. “I’m only saying yes because I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to her, and Kross is better muscle. Plus I don’t need my men getting into any trouble.”

  I hooked my arm through Kelton’s. “I’ll walk you out.” It was better if they left before Dillon changed his mind.

  The stars were out but hardly visible. A light wind blew, the chimes on someone’s porch singing.

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked. “We’re dealing with illegal gambling. If Mr. Davenport finds out—”

  “I’m not letting you go in without me.”

  I prayed nothing went wrong, for his sake.

  Chapter 25

  Kelton

  We zipped by buildings, restaurants, and people darting in and out of nighttime establishments as Dillon navigated through the streets of Boston toward the North End or Little Italy. Kross rode shotgun while Lizzie and I sat in the backseat of Dillon’s SUV. The Camaro was too small for all four of us.

  I snaked my hand out
to rest on her thigh. “You look amazing.” She was wearing a short, black, low-cut cocktail dress. Since underground games didn’t have a dress code, I would guess she was trying to use distraction as part of her bluffing. God, I hoped her strategy worked. I worried she wouldn’t be able to bluff. Then she’d be out of the game early. Which meant Lizzie wouldn’t have the patience to wait to tear Terrance a new one. Neither would I, for that matter. And that would lead to mayhem. Not good when we were guests of the Italian mob, and because of that I wanted to lock her up and prevent her from coming to this mob-infested soirée, but in part I understood her need to see Terrance in person. Zach always had issues getting ahold of his old man.

  She smiled seductively.

  My heart slammed against my chest. Boom. Boom. Boom. Since I’d told her I loved her, my heart hadn’t calmed down. All I kept thinking about was her and how every time I kissed her she tasted of bubblegum, the past, and everything I wanted in my future, a future of her and me tangled together. Yeah, my balls were blue, dark fucking blue.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  Patriots. Football. Super Bowl. Inwardly, I laughed. I’d started chanting my mantra days before the big game. I believed on some higher level that Tom Brady had heard me. The Patriots beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl. Of course, that wasn’t what should have been going through my head in that moment.

  “You remember what we discussed yesterday?” Kross and I had met over at Dillon’s to finalize plans. “Use your nervous habits to throw them off. Bite a nail if you have a good hand. Smile when you have nothing. But don’t keep using the same habits. Change it up. If you can, don’t use any expressions.”

  “I get it,” she said, doubt resonating in her voice.