“Is that what we’re calling James’ current rampage through LA? Problem-solving?”
“More like aggressive negotiation.” Matt pressed a kiss to Andy’s forehead, ignoring Bruno’s carefully blank expression. “Now, try to rest.”
The landing gear touched down less than an hour after takeoff—a fact Matt would absolutely lord over James later. Andy jerked awake at the impact, momentarily disoriented.
“Did I—” He blinked, then shot upright. “Why did you let me sleep?”
“Because watching you try to fight exhaustion was like seeing a kitten battle a yarn ball.” Matt smoothed down Andy’s hair,which had achieved new levels of chaos during his brief nap. “Adorable, but ultimately futile.”
Andy batted his hands away, already fumbling with his seat belt. “We need to?—”
“—look less like you just lost a fight with a pillow,” Matt finished, efficiently fixing Andy’s rumpled clothes. The boy looked like he’d been through a tornado, which, considering the circumstances, wasn’t far off.
“Matt,” Andy’s voice held a warning note.
“Ten seconds to make you presentable won’t kill anyone.” Matt straightened Andy’s collar. “Though that hair might be a lost cause.”
A sleek black SUV waited on the tarmac, one of James’ security team standing at attention beside it. Even from the jet’s window, Matt could see the man’s barely concealed anxiety. James had clearly been making friends in their absence.
“Thompson,” Matt greeted as they descended the stairs, keeping a steadying hand on Andy’s lower back. “I see you drew the short straw.”
“Mr. Maxwell was… insistent about sending someone to meet you,” Thompson replied diplomatically.
“You mean he threatened to fire everyone if they didn’t have us there five minutes ago?” Matt guided Andy into the back seat before the boy could sprint the entire way to James’ estate on foot.
Thompson’s slight wince was answer enough.
The drive through LA’s predawn streets was tense, Andy practically vibrating out of his skin while Matt fielded increasingly aggressive texts from James. Each message notification made Andy flinch like a gunshot.
“If you don’t stop checking your phone every three seconds, I’m going to throw it out the window,” Matt warned after Andy’s tenth attempt to read over his shoulder.
“But what if?—”
“If there’s news, you’ll know. James isn’t exactly known for his subtle communication style.”
As if on cue, Matt’s phone lit up with another message:WHERE.
Matt showed it to Andy. “See? The height of eloquence.”
Andy’s laugh was watery but real. “He really is terrible at waiting, isn’t he?”
“Patience isn’t a Maxwell family trait.” Matt squeezed Andy’s hand. “Ready?”
Andy squared his shoulders, chin lifting in that familiar stubborn tilt that never failed to make Matt’s heart skip. “Let’s go find my sister.”
Dawn was breaking over Los Angeles as Matt’s convoy of black SUVs wound its way through Beverly Hills. James’ estate loomed ahead, lit up like a military compound on high alert. Security teams prowled the manicured lawns with the kind of focused intensity that suggested their boss had gone fullMission Impossible.
“I see James is embracing subtlety,” Matt drawled as they passed yet another tactical vehicle. “Nothing sayscalm and collectedquite like turning your mansion into Fort Knox.”
“Are thosearmed guardson the roof?” Andy pressed his face against the window, staring at the black-clad figures patrolling the perimeter.
“Knowing James, those are just the visible ones.” Matt guided Andy out of the SUV, noting how the security teams snapped to attention as they passed. Bruno and Tyrone fellinto step behind them, their presence adding to the surreal militaristic atmosphere.
Scott Maxwell, James’ younger half brother and the middle of the Maxwell siblings, was already waiting on the steps. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “About time you got here,” he greeted them with a tired smile. “Traffic must’ve been hell at thirty thousand feet.”
Matt clasped his friend’s shoulder. “Blame physics. James in full general mode yet?”
“More like full dictator.” Scott’s attempt at humor fell flat as his gaze shifted to Andy. “How’re you holding up?”
