Dare to Love (Maxwell #3)

by S. B. Alexander

  Speaking of hair, I was giving Dillon what he’d asked for—the real me. When I’d gotten back to my hotel room, I’d stared at myself in the mirror, debating for several minutes whether to show Dillon the real me or stay in disguise. If I showed up at the club as Emma with my red wig and green contacts, he might make a scene or cancel our business arrangement. I didn’t want to bring any attention to myself. Plus, I couldn’t afford to have him back out. I had no doubt that I could find another gun dealer in a vast city like Boston, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I also didn’t want to answer any questions that another stranger might have. Or do business with someone I didn’t know. Not that I knew Dillon all that well. But he came highly recommended from his cousin, who I’d partied with in Miami. Besides, I was one person among a population of over six hundred thousand in this city. I had nothing to worry about, not with Terrance Malden out of town. I could be me for one night.

  My eyes watered as I passed others heading in the same direction, crossed over streets, and turned a corner onto Massachusetts Avenue. The lighted sign for Rumors jutted out from the building. I sniffled as I entered a dim hallway. A burly bouncer sat on a stool at the entrance to the club, checking IDs. According to the club’s website, a person had to be eighteen or older to enter.

  I unzipped my jacket, flipped my hair over my shoulder, dug into my jeans pocket, and removed my ID and money. I had two IDs. My driver’s license for Miami had all my real information. I’d also had a fake one made with a picture of me in the red wig and green contacts just in case. Tonight though, I carried my real ID. I handed it to the bouncer.

  He pointed a small flashlight at my license. “Ten dollars.”

  After I paid and he slapped a band around my wrist, I went in. The beat of the music grew louder. One of the things I despised about nightclubs was the noise level when I wanted to carry on a conversation. I was more than curious how Dillon and I would chat or do business in a nightclub. Although, when I thought about it, a dark, loud, and crowded room was the best place for us to do the exchange. The majority of people at the club were there to party and dance. They wouldn’t be paying attention to Dillon and me.

  I held out my wrist to another bouncer who had a double chin, standing guard at the arched doorway. Strobe lights of red, green, and yellow whipped around the packed club. He sized me up, his gaze lingering on my cleavage. I’d worn a simple white V-neck T-shirt over a pair of skinny jeans with army boots laced up over them. I didn’t mind when guys swept their gazes over me. But when they lingered too long on one spot, mainly my boobs, I wanted to tell them to screw off. Instead I scowled.

  “You can check your coat right over there.” He stabbed a finger behind me.

  “No thanks. I’m a bit chilled.” My body was still cold from the trek there.

  I entered the club, merging into the crowd of gyrating people. The beat of the music pounded in my ears while people bumped into me. As I skirted around couples feeling each other up, I scanned the room for Dillon. He’d texted me earlier to let me know he would be in one of the booths. So I slipped through an opening to the perimeter where booths lined the back wall. I passed each one, quickly checking faces. Fortunately, each table sported a lit candle, making it somewhat easy to discern features.

  As I approached the last booth nestled in the far corner, Kelton’s voice floated by, extremely close. My heart stopped. I froze with my eyes fixated on a bald guy in the corner booth. His lips moved as he talked to someone I couldn’t see sitting across from him.

  Shoot! Would Kelton recognize me after all these years? I wanted to think that he wouldn’t. However, knowing Kelton, he didn’t forget anything. I swore if he examined me up close he would see the gold speck in my left eye. It’s a dark room. He won’t see it. Besides, he’s probably here with his girlfriend, so he won’t give me a second glance. I couldn’t take that chance. Dillon had already questioned if I knew Kelton. If I gave Dillon any hint of knowing the sexy Maxwell, the deal would be off.

  Kelton’s voice was practically on top of me. “I’m looking for Dillon Hart. Is anyone in this booth Dillon?” he asked.

  I quickly peeked over my shoulder. Kelton had exchanged the tuxedo for a tight-fitting Hinder Band T-shirt showcasing his bulging biceps and frayed jeans that hung low on his hips.

  “Thanks,” he said. When he moved to the next table, his eyes met mine.

  Shit! Shit! I stood like a zombie in between the table Kelton was about to approach and the corner booth. He held my gaze for the briefest of seconds, cocking his head to one side until a girl skirted between us. I started to duck into the melee of dancing fools when a strong hand settled on my shoulder.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” a male voice said, his breath tickling my neck.

  I tensed, ready to kick and punch, only to turn and find Dillon, smirking. His skull nose ring glinted from a strobe light.

  Before I could say a word, his hands were in my hair and his mouth was on mine, hot and urgent. I mashed my lips together, about to push him away, as Kelton continued his search for Dillon. “Are any of you Dillon Hart?”

  I sucked in a sharp breath. Dillon took that as his cue to push his tongue into my mouth. He pulled me closer to his hard body as he continued to kiss me. If it weren’t for his strength—and my reluctance to make a scene—I would’ve kneed him in the balls. Fortunately, he was keeping Kelton from noticing me.

  He explored my mouth as he held my face in his hands. Suddenly, Kelton’s voice dulled as I got lost in Dillon’s sensual web. I began kissing him back, tasting spearmint as my tongue touched his.

  He groaned, abandoning my mouth for my ear. “You’re much more beautiful with dark hair.” His voice was husky. “I know you want to crush my balls, but I didn’t plan this. I saw you panic. You said that dude was a creeper.”

  “So you’re saving me?” Each word came out on a breath. “Kelton is looking for you. Not me. And news flash. I can handle myself.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t doubt that.”

  I was about to ask him how he even recognized me without the red wig when Kelton asked, “Dillon Hart?”

  I held my breath, keeping my eyes on Dillon.

  Dillon turned his head. Kelton stood with his back to the dancers. “What, man? Can’t you see I’m a little busy with my girl?” he asked like a snapping turtle—if turtles could talk.

  “You’re Dillon Hart? I saw you outside BU with the redhead. Fuck, man. Two girls in one day?” He sounded jealous.

  “I said I was busy.” Dillon’s jaw was moving rapidly.

  “Chill. I came up to shake your hand. If you want to be a fucking rude asshole then I’ll have you removed from the club.”

  Dillon’s hands tightened on my arms.

  My pulse went from a lazy cadence to a full-out sprint. So much for not making a scene. Out of my peripheral vision, I glimpsed Kelton flaring his nostrils. Suddenly, I became worried for another reason. If Dillon had a gun on him, things could go haywire quickly.

  “Be nice, baby,” I said as I pressed my body into Dillon’s. “The man only wants to meet you, not shoot you.”

  “Who’s your girl?” Kelton asked as he touched my shoulder. “Your voice sounds familiar.”

  I could change the color of my hair and eyes, but not my voice, and Kelton and red-haired Emma had already met. Since I wasn’t in disguise, I wasn’t prepared for him to know I was his childhood sweetheart.

  Dillon growled. “Get your fucking hand off my girl.”

  I kept my side profile exposed to Kelton. As long as he didn’t look straight into my eyes, I should be fine. I also was banking on the dim light to keep me shielded. The bald guy in the corner booth had a sharp focus on us, probably waiting for all hell to break loose. I didn’t know for sure, but I’d bet he was here with Dillon.

  Kelton removed his hand from me as he growled.

  All of sudden, I had to pee and maybe puke. “I have to go to the ladies’ room,” I said to Dillon.

&
nbsp; “Don’t take too long.” He flicked his head to the bald guy in the corner booth.

  The bald guy got up.

  I peeled myself away from Dillon’s hard body then got lost in the crowd. As I weaved through the dancers, I decided to get the hell out of that place after my pit stop. You’re paranoid. He’s not going to recognize you. I silently screamed back at my subconscious, Hell if he doesn’t!

  My appearance hadn’t changed that much since the age of thirteen, except that I was older. I had bigger boobs, and I’d lost most of my southern accent. But my voice hadn’t changed from when we’d spoken at the art gallery. If Kelton put two and two together, he would figure out I was the redhead from art class, and then he would have questions. Ones I wasn’t prepared to answer, especially since he could derail my deal with Dillon to get the gun.

  I found the bathroom down a darkened hallway at the back of the club. I also found a long line. I settled behind a girl with long brown hair who was talking on the phone.

  “Chloe, Kelton is here. And Kody is performing tonight. I need you to keep me company. Kade is busy sifting through résumés for a waitress. I don’t know where Kross is. Don’t worry about Kelton’s brothers.”

  Great! I was standing behind the baseball star Peyton mentioned at the art gala. She was dating Kade. I cursed under my breath. The entire Maxwell family was here? Out of all the clubs in Boston, Dillon had to pick the one with the Maxwells in it. I spied an exit sign up ahead. I checked the hallway up and down. From the doorway to the club, the bald guy who’d exchanged a silent gesture with Dillon eyed me with his arms crossed over his massive chest. He shook his head.

  I scrunched up my face at him. If he was going to chase me, then let the games begin. I wasn’t staying in this club another minute, even though I had to pee. I’d find a bathroom somewhere else. Sure, Dillon would have questions about why I left. Or he would back out of our deal. Either way, I had a question for him. How did he know the real me? His cousin, the one I partied with in Miami, didn’t know the real me. I’d been dressed in my red wig at the frat party where I’d met him.

  More ladies filed behind me.

  I slid out of line and went up to the bald guy. “Why are you watching me?”

  “Dillon wants me to,” he said as he narrowed his brown eyes.

  “Tell Dillon I’ll call him tomorrow.”

  For some reason the stars were aligned for me to run into Kelton not once, but three times in one day. I smiled. My mom had told me the day we drove away from Kelton seven years ago that if we were meant for each other, the universe would bring us together. I lost my smile, and her words of wisdom. My gut told me I wouldn’t be so lucky to flee him a fourth time if I didn’t get out while I had the chance.

  I threaded through the throng of dancers, occasionally getting bumped or knocked in the head. Once I finally made it out of the club and into the hall by the coat check, I sighed heavily. The bouncer, the same one who’d sized me up earlier, raised an eyebrow.

  “Rough night,” I said, zipping up my jacket.

  I’d gotten halfway to the main entrance when Dillon’s voice echoed in the narrow hall. “Elizabeth!”

  I cringed. The only person who’d called me Elizabeth had been my mother, and only when I was in trouble. Otherwise, my family called me Lizzie.

  I took another step forward. Right now, I didn’t want to deal with how he knew who I was. I was tired, cranky, hungry, and needed a bathroom.

  “Elizabeth Reardon,” Dillon said, his voice demanding.

  I whirled around. The blood drained from me. Kelton was standing alongside Dillon, his mouth agape. At that moment, I wanted to run as fast as my legs could carry me, but I wouldn’t get far with my knees trembling.

  Dillon marched toward me, grinning as though he’d just caught the biggest fish on the boat. I clenched my fists, considering my next move. If I ran, Kelton and Dillon would hunt me down. I wasn’t sure why Dillon would. I was the one who’d sought him out. But now it seemed he was chasing me. I never should have kissed him back. That had to be the only reason he wasn’t letting me go. On the other hand, I was one hundred fifty percent certain Kelton would not let me leave. He was the most persistent person I knew. He’d claw and fight until he got his way.

  Dillon drew close. The blood in my veins gelled as I mentally shouted every swear word that came to mind.

  “Lizzie?” Kelton asked. “Lizzie Reardon. Is that you?” Kelton’s long legs ate up the distance between us until he was closer to me than Dillon. His gaze desperately searched for an answer.

  Dillon angled his head, glaring at me. I guessed I wouldn’t be doing business with him.

  Kelton was breathing heavily, as though he was trying not to pass out.

  I debated whether to speak or just walk away. If I did speak, I ran the risk of Kelton connecting the dots between redheaded Emma and the real me. If I ran, Kelton would pursue me like a hunted dog. I was screwed. You’re screwed anyway. Your voice will give you away.

  I set my attention on Dillon. “I need a ride,” I said in a high-pitched tone as if I’d just eaten a mouse.

  “The car is waiting.” Dillon waved his hand to urge me forward.

  “Wait one fucking second.” Kelton swung out his arm to stop Dillon.

  Dillon did a double take at Kelton. “Dude, if you value your life, you’ll get out of my way. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”

  “Fuck off.” Kelton crowded my personal space. “You’re lying.” He zoned in on my eyes as though he was my optometrist, his breath hot on my face. “You are Lizzie. The girl I used to climb trees with.” He continued to scrutinize me, his nostrils flaring. “I know it’s you.”

  He was so close, yet so far. He smelled like rain and nature, enticing and fresh. He reminded me of the good times we’d had. The times when we’d lain on the grass in my backyard in the pouring rain, letting the cool droplets drench us in the heat of summer. My heart raced, and my chest expanded, my breasts coming infinitely closer to his body. I had no doubt he’d pinpointed the square gold speck. It was hard to miss. The guys I’d dated always noticed it too.

  I stalked away, water filling my eyes. I couldn’t allow myself to feel for him again or get him involved in my plan. I was in this world alone, and being alone was best for everyone. People I loved had a way of dying. Besides, I was leaving once I got all of my inheritance back. I left him once. I couldn’t bear to see his heart break again. I shook off those thoughts. I was getting way ahead of myself. He had a girlfriend—a sweet mafia princess who loved him.

  He grabbed my arm and spun me around. “Say something.” His blue eyes pleaded.

  Dillon pulled Kelton off me. Kelton threw the first punch, knocking Dillon to the ground. The bouncers ran up. The one with the double chin pried Kelton away, expertly securing his arms behind his back.

  Kelton jerked his arms away. “I’m cool, George.”

  Dillon pushed to his feet, scowling as he felt his busted lip. Then he said to me, “Let’s go.”

  Normally I wouldn’t obey anyone who barked out orders, but walking away from Kelton was best for both him and me. I couldn’t bear to reminisce about the past. A past I’d once loved—a past that encompassed my baby sister, my mom, my dad, and even my dog—a time of great memories, summer parties, Kelton and I hanging out in his tree house, Kelton and I playing baseball, football, and even roller hockey. I couldn’t begin to think about our first kiss and the butterflies I’d felt when our lips touched. Or the one afternoon our lives had changed forever.

  “Talk to me, Lizzie,” Kelton said, keeping his distance, his hands visibly shaking.

  I fidgeted with my stud earring, twirling it one way then the other. “I’m not the girl you think I am.” None of what I said was a lie. I wasn’t that girl he’d known back in Texas. Not anymore.

  Dillon cupped my elbow.

  “Funny.” Kelton combed his large fingers through his thick black hair. “The girl I knew always played with the earr
ing in her ear when she was nervous.”

  My stomach hurt, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes. I brought my hand to my chest, feeling under my jacket for the half-heart charm he’d given me. I rarely took it off. The piece of jewelry was a reminder of what had been good in my life and of what we’d shared as kids and friends.

  Leave and don’t look back.

  I was about to pivot on my heel when Kelton started for me, but George grabbed him.

  “Fuck!” Kelton shouted.

  I flinched before walking away when all I wanted to do was run back to him. He gave me the sense of family. Something I hadn’t had in ages and desperately craved. But Kelton was a luxury, not a necessity like the Maldens.

  6

  Kelton

  Someone staggered past me, bumping into me as they left the club. I didn’t move. A stampede of drunks could’ve trampled over me, and they wouldn’t have been able to break me. When Dillon called her name, a weird feeling swirled in my stomach. The last time I’d gotten butterflies was the day I kissed Lizzie before she moved away.

  “Kelton.” George, the bouncer, waved his hand under my nose. It smelled of cigarettes, and the scent brought me back to the present, which suddenly I didn’t want to be in. “Are you cool?”

  Fuck no. My head spun like an out-of-control plane dropping from the sky. A breathtakingly stunning woman was mere inches from me, denying she was Lizzie Reardon. I didn’t believe her for one second. Not when the square gold speck in her left eye gave her away. Or not when she played with her earring because she was nervous. Or the fact she was all grown up with curves, rounded breasts, long legs, and plump lips that I badly wanted to taste. My heart hadn’t beat this hard with excitement since the first time I’d set eyes on her back in the fifth grade.

  “I’m good,” I lied. I was all twisted up inside.