“Las Vegas?”Lexie teased hopefully, raising an eyebrow.
He shook his head seriously.“No.Las Vegas falls under Luca Bernardi’s territory.”Sliding his hand over her thigh, he added, “However, I’m good friends with Luca.If you’d like to visit Vegas, that can be arranged.”
Her brow furrowed as she studied him.“Do you have to arrange trips out of your territory?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”she asked.
“Courtesy,” he replied with a casual shrug.He didn’t want to burden her with the complexities of his world, especially since he already had plans for their honeymoon—plans that didn’t involve territorial courtesy.
Speaking of which...“When are you going to resign from your job?”he asked, his tone as smooth as ever.
Lexie froze, her body stiffening against him.He felt her pull away, and though every instinct urged him to hold her close, he let her go.This conversation needed to happen, and her anger was a distraction he couldn’t afford.
“I’ve told you before.I’m not quitting my job, Max,” she said firmly, moving to the other side of his desk.She stood there, arms crossed, glaring at him.“I love my job.”She sighed, rubbing her forehead with her thumb and index finger, frustration evident.“The only reason I’m here right now is because I refused to sacrifice my job to Enzo’s blackmail.”
“Is that theonlyreason you’re here, Lex?”Max asked, his voice dropping a meaningful octave.
Her eyes widened, and she stammered slightly.“No, I just...,” she stopped, realizing what she’d just admitted.
“So, you would have eventually come back to me?”he pressed, his dark eyes gleaming.
Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, bracing her hands on the desk.“Did you put Enzo up to blackmailing me?Was this whole thing just a ruse to get me back?”
Max stared at her for a long moment, then burst out laughing.The deep, resonant sound filled the room, catching Lexie off guard.“No, Lex,” he said, walking around the desk to stand directly in front of her.“Although, if I’d thought it would work, yes, I might have considered it.”
“You’re a bastard,” she hissed, shoving at his chest.But Max didn’t budge.He was immovable, solid, and entirely undeterred.
“And you’re in love with me,” he countered, his voice low and certain.
Lexie froze again, tilting her head back to meet his gaze.“No.No, I’m not.I don’t…!”she began, but her protestations faltered under the weight of his confidence.
He kissed her, cutting off her fumbling with a tenderness that both disarmed and consumed her.The truth was in her eyes, even if Lexie hadn’t fully acknowledged it yet.But Max saw it, clear as day.That acknowledgment would come, he vowed.Because this time, he wouldn’t let her walk away.Not after everything they’d shared this weekend.
Breaking the kiss, he brushed his thumb across her cheek.“Now, about your job,” he began again, his tone growing commanding.“The school where you work is too dangerous.You’ll have to quit.I won’t have my wife put in harm’s way.”
Her eyes narrowed, fire flashing behind them.“You don’t get to dictate my life, Max.”
“I’m not dictating.I’m protecting you,” he corrected calmly, but there was no mistaking the steel in his voice.“There’s a difference.”
“Not to me,” she shot back, crossing her arms again.“I love my job, Max.I’m not giving it up just because you’ve decided it’s dangerous.If you think the area is too dangerous, then fix the area.”She tilted her head slightly.“You just told me you control everything.”Her eyes sparkled up at him.“Control the danger, Max.”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, neither spoke.The air between them was charged, the tension palpable.Max knew this was going to be a battle, but he was ready.Because when it came to Lexie, he wouldn’t compromise on her safety—even if it meant fighting her stubborn streak head-on.
Chapter 32
DeeDeesippedheroverpricedespresso, her red nails tapping rhythmically against the porcelain cup as she glared across the café table at George.“So, when exactly are we doing this?”she asked quietly.
George leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin.“Patience, DeeDee.Timing is everything.We need to be sure everything’s in place.This isn’t a smash-and-grab.”
DeeDee huffed, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.“It’s not rocket science, either.We grab the little schoolteacher, stash her somewhere, and let Max know what’s what.”
“Let Max knowwhat, exactly?”a smooth, mocking voice interrupted.
DeeDee and George turned sharply to see Julianne standing there, dressed in a fitted blazer and tailored pants, her sunglasses perched imperiously on her head.She slid into the chair between them without waiting for an invitation, tossing her designer bag onto the table.
“Who the hell are you?”George demanded, smoothing a hand nervously over his tie.
