"That's because you were discussing things you shouldn’t and he knew it."
"You think he likes you? The man stealing his baby girl away."
"Can't explain it myself. I'd have shot me." Max's hand shifts on the wheel and I notice a new tattoo on his finger. It's the date of the wedding, I think, in cursive writing. It reminds me of the detailed family tree on both Bronson's and Max's backs. I imagine Aurora Butcher will be added to that soon.
I grin at him. "Does your car have a name?"
He laughs without restraint. It's such a beautiful sound. "No."
"I have a pink Lexus, so my car's name is Lady. Ya know, like Lady Lexus... " I feel my cheeks heat. "You think I'm weird."
"You are."
I smile at him as he tries not to smile. "Can I name your car?"
He chuckles, shaking his head as if he has no choice. "If you have to."
"Hmm." I click my tongue in contemplation as I peer around for inspiration. It's spacious and dark inside. It's masculine and clean. Digital displays glow red and yellow and green. "Range Rover...Hmm. Oh, my gawd! It has to be Romeo, Romeo Range Rover."
He cringes. "Fuck, Cassidy, that's the worst fucking name."
"No.Romeo is the most famous male ballet character in the world! Yes, it has to be Romeo."
"I'm not referring to my car as Romeo."
"That's fine." I giggle. "I will though."
He glances at me sideways and grins, his dimple showing. "The shit I let you get away with."
Leaning across the centre console, I lightly poke his dimple and then relax into a sigh. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
It's nearly ten p.m. when we roll onto his driveway and I get my first glimpse ofCasaButcher. Most of the houses in Connolly have boom gates at the entrance, but the Butcher's three-story mansion is obnoxiously close to the road, almost daring people to invade their privacy. Streetlamps light the house up on all sides. It's fully rendered in white and hassteep, sharp walls and a modernist look with clean lines and simple shapes. It's a new build on an old block.
The garage door rises, and we pull in alongside five other vehicles.
I blink at Max, a proud smile tugging at my lips. "Did you design this house, Max?"
He pulls up the handbrake. "Yes."
"It's beautiful." I gaze at him for a moment as he twists the keys from the ignition. In my mind I say, 'You'rebeautiful.'
Max helps me out of the car. I wobble slightly on my bad ankle and his eyes drop to watch me quietly coddling it.
"I'm fine," I say. Ignoring my assurance, he swoops me up and I automatically wrap my arms around his neck. He stares straight ahead, his expression intense.
"I can walk," I press.
"There are three flights of stairs, Little One."
We enter from behind the kitchen. He carries me through the dining room and toward the foyer.
My eyes widen when I see two guards at his front door. Embarrassed I'm being carried like an invalid, I hide my face in Max's shoulder.
"This is Cassidy," Max says, so I turn to acknowledge them with a sheepish smile.
One of them smiles politely at me before looking at Max. "Xander's not home yet."
"Hmm." Max stops at the bottom of the stairs. "Is Carter watching him?"
