Lexie tuned out the murmurs as she thought.The clothes, the purses, even the shoes?None of that mattered to her.But scholarships for her kids?An opportunity for a future they would not have otherwise had?That offer spoke directly to her heart.
Her chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.Maybe Max did truly understand who she was and what her job meant to her.And if this was his way of showing it, he’d done a damn good job.
Seven hours later, Lexie was about to go out of her mind.The minutes were ticking by so slowly, she could barely stand the suspense.All she wanted was to get out of here and head over to Max’s house.Would he be at his penthouse in the city?Or was he across the bay at his magnificent house?
She didn’t care.She’d visit his penthouse first because it was closer and…maybe she should call him?Or show up at his office?
Yes, that was the best plan.She’d go to his office.
Lexie’s heart pounded as she hurried down the school hallway, memories of the last time she’d shown up at Max’s office swirling behind her eyes.That had been the day her world turned upside down, the moment she’d learned the truth: Max was the mafia king of the Pacific Northwest.She’d seen the guns, heard the threats, and caught the edge of danger in his tone as he commanded whoever was on the other end of a call to fall in line—or face the consequences.
But now, her perspective had shifted.Over the past few days, she’d come to suspect that Max’s intimidating demeanor wasn’t just about maintaining power—it was about using it well.Maybe the person on the other end of that call had been a corrupt business leader exploiting customers or a crooked politician abusing their position.Max had layers, and she wasn’t sure yet if she should fear them or admire them.
When the final bell rang, Lexie’s students burst out of the classroom, a wave of youthful energy and chatter.The scholarship program and career day announcements had electrified them, their conversations buzzing with hope and excitement.Lexie couldn’t help but smile.For once, the world felt a little brighter, and she felt like maybe, just maybe, she was part of something bigger.
It took her less than ten minutes to clean up her classroom.Normally, she’d bring papers home to grade, but not tonight.Tonight, she had somewhere to be.With one last glance around the room, she grabbed her bag and dashed for the parking lot.
“Hey, what’s the rush?”one of the other teachers called out, laughing as Lexie hurried by.
“Gotta meet up with my fiancé!”she called back, barely slowing down.
She waved cheerfully to the two guards stepping out of the big black SUV parked near the school.Max’s people.She knew they were there to protect her, trailing her through her day-to-day errands and even the grocery store.In the past, their constant presence had irked her, a reminder of the dangers tied to Max’s world.But tonight, she felt only gratitude.
“Heading to see Max!”she called out as she jogged to her beat-up old car, laughing at their startled expressions.Last night after spotting them, she’d avoided even looking their way, let alone telling them her plans.She paused at her car door as she rummaged through her oversized leather tote for her car keys.
Focused on her bag, she didn’t notice the navy-blue minivan parked a few spaces over.Lexie paid it no mind.
So, it came as a shock when hard fingers grabbed her arms, yanking her off the sidewalk.She gasped, her bag knocking her off balance as she struggled against the iron grip holding her.
“Hey!What—!”she started to yell, but before she could process what was happening, she was shoved into the back of the minivan.The door slammed shut, and the vehicle lurched forward, speeding out of the lot.
Chapter 37
Max’shandtightenedaroundthe phone, the tension in his knuckles threatening to snap the device in half.
“Say that again,” he said, his voice low, steady, and terrifyingly calm.But inside, his fury roared, threatening to consume him.It wasn’t just anger; it was an unrelenting, visceral rage he’d never experienced before.
“Someone took her, boss,” Marco Tombini repeated, his voice taut with nerves but steady enough to convey his determination.“A navy minivan.We’ve got the license plate,” and he rattled off the numbers.“They’re heading east on Route Ninety.”
Max exhaled slowly, the movement doing nothing to ease the inferno building inside him.“Why,” he began, his tone sharp and lethal, “weren’t you closer?”
Marco hesitated, then forced out an answer, knowing his life might depend on it.“Boss, you told us to keep our distance unless trouble came up.She was excited, and had just called out that she was heading to you.We thought she was going to your office.”
Max closed his eyes, fighting the urge to snap.His fist curled against the edge of his desk, the sharp wood biting into his palm.
Max growled under his breath, more to himself than Marco.“When this is over, I want a full account of where you lost her.”
Marco pressed on, his voice quickening.“Boss, we’re five cars behind the minivan now.Mick’s on another line with Ramone, giving him every detail and keeping him updated on the direction they’re heading.We’re catching up.”
The competence in Marco’s response tempered Max’s rage, but only slightly.He straightened, his mind a steel trap of focus now.Every detail mattered.Every second counted.
“I’m sending more men to your location,” he declared, the authority in his tone brooking no argument.“They’ll intercept the minivan at the next exit.Keep them in sight and donotlose them, Marco.If anything happens to her—” He didn’t finish the sentence.He didn’t need to.
“Understood, boss,” Marco replied, and the line went dead.
Max tossed the phone onto his desk, his hand trembling with barely contained fury.His chest heaved as he forced himself to take slow, measured breaths.
Lexie had told the guards she was coming to him.She’d been happy,excited.And someone had dared to take her from him.That thought alone was enough to rip apart whatever patience he had left.
