“Maxine,” Philippe said suddenly.
She cringed at being caught, but then realized the man had called out to her in his sleep. He hadn’t opened his eyes and was hugging the bottle as if it really meant something.
Stepping closer to him, Maxine ignored the fact he smelled heavily of himself and alcohol.
“Philippe,” she whispered.
He groaned and frowned in his sleep. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
Kneeling at the couch near him, she gently cupped is cheek and watched as his beautiful turquoise eyes slowly came open.
Her heart swooned just knowing he was looking at her and he still desired her just as much as she desired him.
He dropped the bottle of whiskey and reached up to her to cup her face.
“I’m dreaming,” he proclaimed.
“I forgive you.”
“I’m definitely dreaming,” he determined. “Marry me, Maxine.”
Her heart raced at being asked, but she chuckled and kissed him. “You’re drunk.”
“The best drunk I’ve ever been if I get to see you so beautiful.” His massive arms pulled her into a bone cracking hug, which she really didn’t mind because she wanted to feel him and feel his need to be with her. “I don’t deserve to be forgiven, Maxine.” He softly caressed her cheek. “I wasn’t around to hurt you, but others hurt you because of my stupidity, foolishness and carelessness-”
“And youth,” she said cutting him off. “I understand. I know the promise you made to your mother was important and you tried to make the best out of everything by letting your father take care of things.”
“I shouldn’t have let him. I thought he would-” He cursed viciously more to himself. “You shouldn’t... damn… damn, damn.” He was harder on himself just like Onyx said. “I never meant to hurt you, Maxine. I never wanted anyone to hurt you, but I wanted to take care of you.”
From the bottom of her heart, she said, “Philippe, it’s fine. I do forgive you.”
He pulled her in a back breaking hug yet again and she smiled not minding at all she was positive he cracked her spine. He kissed her cheek and then her lips softly.
Feeling lightheaded and loving the effect he was having on her body, Maxine knew they couldn’t make love tonight. Not with him drunk and also both of them had to get up early for a very important deposition.
Reluctantly pushing from him, she said disappointedly, “I have to go,” she said. “I shouldn’t be here.”
He groaned. “Please, stay. This is a dream. You can stay as long as you want,” he pleaded, kissing her neck and shoulders and then her cheek.
Maxine sighed knowing she shouldn’t have come and she certainly shouldn’t have awakened him.
Philippe was already moving over enough on the couch to make room for her to snuggle in front of him.
Just like their first time in bed together in the chamber.
“Please,” he implored.
Lying so her backside was press against the front of him, Philippe’s arms moved around her to secure her body close to his. He kissed her neck and ear in gratefulness.
“Until morning,” she said.
“Then I won’t be dreaming anymore,” he said.
Maxine giggled and looked up at him. “Go to sleep, Philippe,” she ordered. “You need to sleep all that liquor off.”
“I know, Maxine. I love you. I love you and I’ll never ever let anyone hurt you anymore.”
“I love you too, Philippe.”
He leaned down and softly brushed his lips against hers again and she smiled knowing she was making the right decision to forgive him.
***
She didn’t know how she had awakened on her own so easily early in the morning. Philippe’s body was literally wrapped around hers in his slumber and he was so deep in sleep, he barely awoke as she maneuvered out of the matrix of his large limbs.
Standing over him yet again watching him sleep, she wondered if she had made the right decision in coming here and not waiting until after the police questioning. Would Philippe even remember what happened last night?
Leaving from his room to go up to hers, she was glad Armando hadn’t arrived yet like he promised. She still had two hours to go before getting to the station and she took a shower, dressed in the modest light brown dress with matching shoes Armando had brought her and then worked on her hair.
Becoming wrought with the tangles and no flat iron to deal with her hair, she twisted the strands in a bun and prayed the bands wouldn’t break from the tension.
Feeling a stress headache coming on, she called room service for something and by then Armando had arrived same time room service brought up her request.
“You have a headache?” he asked.
“I have a lot going on,” she said dispassionately.
He pulled out a sheet from his breast pocket with the hotels’ logo on top. “It wouldn’t be because of lack of sleep from visiting other guest rooms would it?”
She gasped and looked down at the paper to clearly see Armando had pulled the key card logs of her room and room 209. “How’d you know?”
“I’ve always requested it whenever I leave you. The question is, who told you he was here?”
Maxine avoided answering by harshly questioning, “Why didn’t you tell me he was here?”
Armando cursed under his breath. “You have to be honest with me, Maxine. I’m not here to hurt you.”
“Onyx Heart told me,” she admitted and showed the ring. “She told me he was here and returned the ring back. I had to see him, Armando.”
“Why the hell did she convince you to do that when it was she who insisted you two be separated?” Armando questioned.
“I don’t know,” Maxine said.
“I hate her. I usually have no ill will toward women, but she takes the fucking cake. I really pity the man who has to deal with-“ He stopped what he was saying all of sudden.
“What?” Maxine questioned.
A wicked smile came to his lips. “Never mind. Let’s get you something to eat and then we’ll head over to the police station.”
Maxine shrugged off Armando’s strange behavior and followed him to the elevator.
When they arrived at Detroit Police Headquarters, Armando introduced her to two other lawyers who would be co-counsel if things went to trial. He also assured her if her statements were all true in this questioning and the prosecution had no objection, they’d use what she said today in the trials against the other handlers.
“So there are others going to be convicted of something?” she questioned.
“Innocent blood was shed and not just by Devon,” Armando stated. “As much as my client would like to keep that under wraps, it’s been advised not to. The future of the society depends on cohesion between law enforcement and what the society desires. Pierre insisted upon this when he went to the board. No member should be above justice no matter how much money they make or have.”
She was beginning to like this Pierre more and more.
In the questioning, Sheriff Heart was given permission to question her and went at her like a shark, but she had nothing to lie about or cover up, so answering even his most harsh questions was very simple and logical to her.
Onyx was there, but she didn’t say anything. She just stood in the corner watching and listening intently to everything.
Once the interrogation was over, Armando escorted her out in the hallway.
“There’s a car to take you home. You’ll have police protection for one night and then for the rest of the week my own personal security will be watching your place. Don’t hesitate to call. All your personal belongings we found in the chamber are in the car, so you may take them home with you.”
“You’re not coming?” she asked in a slight panic.
“I have to stay for Philippe,” he said as if it were obvious.
Her stomach flipped knowing she would see Philippe and wondered if he would remem
ber last night.
“Maxine,” Philippe said behind her.
She turned to look at him. Pierre was by his side looking very over protective next to his dad.
With a little shadow on his face and his hair pulled back, a fresh suit, Philippe still looked swarthy as his eyes intently looked down at her, unsure what to say to her.
“You’re here,” he said.
“Why wouldn’t I be? Armando promised we would come to testify,” she responded.
“The restraining order is still in effect until after your testimony,” Armando reminded Philippe.
“Maybe you should hurry up,” Maxine suggested.
Philippe raised a dark brown and smiled as he looked down at the ring on her finger. When he looked back up at her, he said, his voice filled with hope, “I’ll be done very soon. Will you wait for me?”
She returned his smile. “Yes, I will.”
“Can we hurry the hell up?” Sheriff barked coming to the door in disgust.
After Philippe and Armando went into the room, she was left outside with Pierre.
Maxine decided not to beat around the bush and asked, “The only reason you interviewed me was for the society or something else?”
“Both,” he admitted. “I care about my father and I wanted to see who you really are. He’s made a lot of sacrifices all of his life and I wanted to know who he had waited his whole life for.”
“Waited?” she questioned.
“I knew he was never fully there. As a father, I have to say, I can have no complaints. He’s loved my siblings and I with every fiber of his being; Even as a husband to my mother, he did his best, but my mother said, she knew his heart was never there. I thought I knew that man until I saw him in the room with you at the presentation.” He paused with a look of awe. “That wasn’t the man I had known my whole life. That man was a passionate lover fully aware and emotionally involved with you and you only.”
Maxine blushed at Pierre’s description of how Phillip seemed. “I didn’t-“
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Maxine. My father has loved you for a long time. He’s loved your spirit, your passion and even your strength. Unfortunately, he’s always felt he’s had to sacrifice for everyone because he made stupid decisions as a young man and has been driven to make sure we didn’t make the same mistakes. My brother and I have always pitied him because he’s never really had a chance to be young. My grandfather pushed him so hard he ran away and decided to turn his back on his wealth to make it out on his own, but his mother’s death and a promise brought him back, but also turn his back on what could have probably been a very happy life for him. I can’t say I wish he had because I would have never been born, but what I can say is that after coercing your friend to leave little bread crumbs back to my father, I don’t regret what I’ve done in order to get my father and you back together.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. “What do you mean?”
“I found out you worked for Bianchi. My father put me in charge of the project at the office and I only choose Biachi’s firm because it would have been an opportunity to meet you. Grandfather had also been pressuring my father to be more involved in the society for years, despite my father trying to keep that from us, but my father was adamantly against really becoming involved. I got to Lisa and for a small amount of money, I had her put my father’s face as your screen saver to see if it jogged your memory, but when that didn’t work I prompted her to come up with something to get you to focus and try to remember. I didn’t know I had been speaking to her weeks before her disappearance and I regret that I couldn’t do anything to help her and I’m also sorry for the treatment you received at the society, which I swear will never happen to a woman… unless the woman desires that type of treatment.” There was a wicked look in his eyes and she had a feeling Pierre would keep his word.
“Does your father know what you did?”
“I confessed to him this morning. I got Nicole to make sure he saw the auction pictures before everyone else on purpose once I knew you’d submitted yours. She’d been waiting as I told her wary about my plan and very wary about you, but I believed this was the best thing for my father and once she saw the effects you had on Philippe she agreed this was best. He was angry, but I don’t know if it was because I planned all this and also I told him I was working with the society to become its new head master.”
Sarcastically, she said, “Your grandfather must be proud.”
“I could really give a rat’s ass what my grandfather thinks. Our family name is linked to this society and it could be beneficial for everyone. There are a lot of people out there who don’t want it to go away and willing to do whatever it takes to keep it.”
“You mean there’s a lot of money.”
He smirked boyishly. “That too and a lot of women who still want to be a part of the society. The advantages were beneficial to them as well. It was just the treatment, which I intend to revamp.”
“What about the Lisas. Are you still going to use them?” she questioned.
“Yes, I’ve fired all the previous because Devon had choosen them, but I’ve found a perfect one who can assist in handling the job of new women for the society if need be.”
“Who is she?”
Before Pierre could answer Ewan walked up and indignantly asked, “What is she doing here?”
“Grandfather,” Pierre said. “This is-“
“No introductions are necessary,” Maxine snipped. “I know who this man is unfortunately.”
“You shouldn’t talk to your betters-“ Ewan started to say, but was cut off by his son.
“She can talk to you however she feels, Father,” Philippe stated emphatically coming out of the court room. “Matter of fact, if Maxine has a few choice words for you I would insist she tell you where you can take your disgust and attitude.”
She smiled. “I have nothing to really say to this man, Philippe.”
“Good, because as of this moment, I have nothing to say to you either, Father,” Philippe announced and walked over to Maxine. “I’m sorry Maxine. For everything.”
“Obviously you don’t remember last night, do you?” she asked.
“What?” he asked innocently, but then his eyes went wide. “That was real. You were there?” He kept his voice low as she blushed.
“Philippe, how dare you choose this woman over your own family!” his father sneered.
Philippe whipped around to face his father, but didn’t stop holding Maxine’s hand. “I’ve been putting my family over her for almost her whole life and for once, I’m going to show her that she’s important to someone. She’s important to me and I love her and I will never let her ever feel she doesn’t matter in this world. That’s my promise.”
Ewan was turning red with each statement Philippe proclaimed. “She is a black-”
“You finish that sentence, old man, and I’ll forget you are my father,” Philippe threatened.
His father blubbered something incoherently still very upset and couldn’t seem to get his thoughts together.
Pierre used that moment to question Armando. “Are we all done?”
“Yes,” Armando answered. “The jury is satisfied with Philippe and Maxine.”
“What’s left?” Maxine questioned.
“Only one more person, but I suspect, just like Sheriff, that their statement will be filled with lies to protect themselves.”
“Who is it?” Pierre questioned.
Armando nodded for everyone to look down the hallway.
At that moment a female bailiff was escorting a downtrodden looking woman who’s head was down but the slowly came up and she recognized them before they could really see her.
Maxine looked hard and gasped holding Philippe’s hand extra tight. The woman’s face had makeup smeared all over and her dark hair looked as if someone had used it as a mop. “Anna?”
Anna’s steps hesitated as she looked at Maxine and then her eyes moved down to where Maxine an
d Philippe’s hands were connected. A wave of jealousy filled her features.
As she came even closer, Philippe pulled Maxine protectively to him and Anna stopped completely looking shocked and appalled as she realized who Philippe was.
The bailiff jerked to get Anna walking again. Philippe didn’t stop holding Maxine close until Anna had been escorted into the courtroom.
“Philippe you can stop this game now,” Ewan said in disgust. “She’s a black whore. She’d give you the sex you want-“
Philippe moved so fast connecting his fist to his father’s face no one had a chance to stop him and everyone seemed stunned, especially Ewan who ended up on his back.
Pierre came between the two men, but Philippe wasn’t trying to hit his father again.
“Shut your mouth, old man,” Philippe sneered. “I never should have kept that promise to her. I never should have tried to make you happy. If it weren’t for my children, I would have regrets. But I’m done with living the life you want for me. I’m done completely and I plan on sharing my life with Maxine, forever.”
Ewan slowly stood up holding his jaw and looking pained. “You don’t owe her anything!” he seethed.
“I owe her everything! And intend to give her anything and everything her heart wants.” Philippe moved back over to Maxine and took her hand.
“Not with my money!” Ewan said triumphantly. “You won’t get a penny from me. You leave with her and you will never get another dime from me!” Ewan threatened. “You won’t get one red cent from me. You won’t be allowed in any of my properties! That includes your house you live in now. You’ll be banned, Philippe! BANNED!”
“I never wanted your money, Father,” Philippe said. “That’s where you messed up and you’ll never realize what you truly loss because you’re too racist and ignorant to really see anything.”
He started to walk away with Maxine.
“Stop!” Ewan ordered. “Forty million! You’re walking away from a net worth of forty million, Philippe.”
Maxine stopped and looked up at Philippe. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”
His hand tightened in hers. “Yes, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
Maxine’s heart surged at his endearment and she would follow him until the ends of the world.
Dark Facade (Book Four) (Dark Facade Series) Page 12