“Ma’am,” the woman said politely, handing it to her before retreating from the room as quickly as she’d arrived.
“That’syour purse?”Max asked, his tone incredulous as he eyed the cracking, faux-leather bag.His scowl deepened as he crossed his arms over his chest.“You actuallyusethat?”
Lexie pulled the bag closer, relieved to see the stack of essays still neatly inside.“Yeah, it’s the perfect size and holds everything I need.”
“It’s not even real leather, Lex,” he grumbled, his expression clearly offended by its existence.
She laughed, lifting the essays out and setting them on the desk.“Why does that matter?It does the job.I don’t need real leather, Max.Not everything has to scream luxury.”
Max winced as if the very idea pained him.“It’s falling apart.”
“It’s functional,” she countered, giving him a teasing smile.“And functional works for me.”
He exhaled, clearly unimpressed.“I’ll have a new one sent over,” he announced, already turning to leave.
Lexie’s jaw dropped.“You’ll what?”she called after him, but he was already out the door, muttering something about “quality.”
She shook her head, rolling her eyes as she walked over to the plush chair by the window.It was even more comfortable than it looked.Sinking into the seat, she tucked her feet underneath her and pulled out her purple pen.Lexie never used red ink—she’d learned early on in her teaching career that it generated unnecessary anxiety.Purple, on the other hand, softened the critique and made the process feel less intimidating for her students.
Flipping to the first essay, she recognized the name immediately—a student who had been struggling all semester.She read through it carefully, choosing her notes with delicate precision to encourage improvement without overwhelming the student.By the time she reached the final paragraph, Lexie couldn’t help but smile.He’d worked hard, and it showed.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the faint sound of Max’s footsteps retreating down the hall.For now, she could focus on what she loved most—helping her students grow.But a tiny voice in the back of her mind couldn’t help but wonder what Max would send over, and if she’d even be able to keep her modest lifestyle intact with him in the picture.
Chapter 26
Maxsetthereportdown on his polished desk, pinching the bridge of his nose as his thoughts strayed for the hundredth time that day.He hadn’t heard from Lexie since she’d disappeared into her new office, engrossed in grading her students’ essays.Normally, he’d take pride in a day this productive, but the nagging worry about her gnawed at him.Had she remembered to eat lunch?Had she taken a break?And where the hell was the assistant assigned to update her wardrobe?That purse of hers needed to be replaced yesterday.
Shaking his head, Max refocused on the matters at hand.The report detailed updates across his vast network of businesses.Most were thriving, but there were always issues to address.He’d personally coordinated a catered lunch for the port workers who had clocked overtime to unload and process a late shipment.His soldiers had reported in, confirming the tone on the streets had calmed for now, though there was talk of a Yakuza cell, a Japanese style gang, attempting to infiltrate his territory.That would be handled tonight, swiftly and decisively.
Max’s businesses weren’t just about profit—they were about control and stability.From the bustling ports to the small, family-owned corner stores, everything ran smoothly under his watchful eye.Small businesses, in particular, benefited from his protection.Max made sure they received the same level of service and security as the large corporations under his umbrella.That balance kept his territory thriving and earned him respect across all levels of society.
Then there was his meeting tomorrow with the police commissioner.Commissioner Calloway was an ally, though a pragmatic one.Their relationship was built on mutual benefits—Calloway turned a blind eye to the tightly controlled drug trade Max allowed, in exchange for Max ensuring the streets remained orderly and free of chaos.Max’s system kept the more dangerous substances out of circulation and weeded out the brutish, corrupt officers who tended to abuse their power.
Calloway valued the order Max brought to the streets, even if his methods were unconventional.Their arrangement also allowed Max to tip the scales when necessary, ensuring that the people in his territory—whether they ran a mom-and-pop shop or a high-end restaurant—were treated fairly by law enforcement.
Tomorrow’s meeting would likely cover the usual topics: enforcement priorities, updates on problematic officers, and the current political climate.Max also had other matters to discuss—like ensuring that the small businesses under his protection weren’t harassed during the commissioner’s latest push for increased oversight.Not everyone plays fair,Max thought grimly.It was his job to make sure they did.
And then there were the gubernatorial candidates.Max had two meetings lined up tomorrow afternoon with hopefuls vying for his support.They both had potential, but Max was meticulous in choosing who he’d back.Political power wasn’t just about the individual—it was about the network they could build, the policies they’d enforce, and the loyalty they’d show.Max didn’t just want influence over the state; he wanted someone in office who would strengthen his system of stability and order, and fight the rampant corporate greed that seemed to pervade business lately.
But as much as these strategic challenges usually energized him, his focus kept returning to Lexie.He grabbed his phone and sent a quick text to the assistant handling her wardrobe.Priority: find Lexie a proper bag.It wasn’t just about appearances—it was about her having something worthy of who she was.And she deserved the best.
Sitting back, Max sighed and glanced at the clock.He could control his businesses, his soldiers, even the political landscape.But Lexie?She was the one thing he couldn’t dictate.And it was driving him nuts.
Max strode down the hallway, his thoughts a mix of anticipation and purpose.Lexie deserved only the best, and he would ensure she had it.Everything about her captivated him—the way she focused so intensely on her work, the stubborn set of her jaw when she argued with him, and the fire in her eyes when she held her ground.She was a contradiction: delicate yet fiercely independent.It only made him want her more.
When they married, he’d see to it that she left the exhausting world of teaching behind.Not because he thought she couldn’t handle it—far from it—but because he wanted her to enjoy the kind of life she deserved.She should have time to relax, to pursue her interests, to feel cherished.And selfishly, he wanted more of her attention.
The thought of their future together filled him with a heady mix of desire and excitement.Max couldn’t stop his thoughts from wandering to how he’d explore every inch of her, savor every moment.He still hadn’t gotten to taste her properly, and the mere thought made his body tighten.The fact that they’d been so frantic the last time, so consumed by their need for each other, only heightened his anticipation.
And then there was the possibility of children.He wanted them—desperately.The idea of Lexie already being pregnant sent a thrill through him.A family.Their family.It was a legacy he hadn’t thought much about until Lexie had come sneaking back into his life.Now, it felt inevitable.Necessary.
Max paused in the office doorway, his eyes softening at the sight of her.Lexie sat cross-legged in the oversized chair, a purple pen in hand that she twirled absently between her fingers.Her focus was entirely on the stack of essays in front of her.
Glancing at his watch, Max frowned.She’d been at it for five hours.The pile of graded essays on one side of her was only half the size of the ungraded stack on the other.He felt a pang of irritation—not at her, but at the situation.Lexie worked so damn hard for so little.
He thought of the bank account he’d set up for her earlier that day, as well as the credit cards that would arrive tomorrow.She didn’t know about them yet, but she would.Teachers were criminally underpaid, and Lexie deserved more than the system gave her.
And yes, it was ironic coming from him—a man who wielded power over businesses, politicians, and even the police commissioner.But Max believed in fairness.He ensured the small businesses in his territory received the same protection as the corporations.He weeded out corruption within the police force, rooting out officers who abused their power or accepted bribes that hurt the community.And while he allowed a controlled drug trade, it was strictly regulated—no truly dangerous substances, no predatory behavior, and absolutely no deliberate harm to innocents.
