I ignored him, thought I heard Logan call me, but maybe that was a damn dream, too, like everything I wanted. Unable to bear the thought of losing her, feeling as if the walls were caving in on me, I headed for the front door.
Ila
Max stormed past me where I stood a short distance from the study door. Blood roared in my ears as rage tore through me. I’d never felt this furious, not even when I’d found Devyn with his pants around his ankles banging Simi.
I’d stayed out in the corridor when Max had followed his father, realizing the conversation was probably best kept between the two of them. Except the exchange I’d overheard wasn’t what I expected. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the door was open, and their voices carried into the hallway.
Anger and hurt rode me; hurt that Max lived with such terrible treatment from his parent, and anger that the man would say those horrible things about me.
I didn’t go after Max. I stomped into the study, instead. A grim-faced Leland Sinclair stared through the window, a glass in his hand. The huge painting on the adjacent wall distracted me.
Claudia Rose Meade-Sinclair.
Max may look like his father with the hard, handsome face, but he got his coloring from his mother, the same lake-green eyes and ash-blond hair. And clearly, his passion and talent came from her, too.
I dragged my gaze away from the portrait to meet Max’s father’s cold, gray eyes. “How could you?”
“Just a few truths, Miss Logan. Max makes a mess—he always does. I clean it up. It’s how this game’s played. It’s time he learned the harsh realities of life.”
“And you think he hasn’t? He is your son. How could you hurt him like that? And now you had to go and compound his pain even more?” Fury blazed like an inferno. “Let me tell you what I came to know about him and just how special he is. He’s kind, honorable, and amazing. He was there for me in my darkest time, stood by me, and made me feel like I was worth something. Yes, my fiancé cheated on me and tore my life apart, but Max gave me a reason to live again—he saved me. Don’t ever say another awful thing about him. You want to disinherit him, that’s your right. Max will make it because he’s an amazing pianist!”
“Have you finished?” Cold. Dangerously cold.
Hell, I’d already painted a bull’s-eye on myself, I might as well go out with a bang. “I hope you’re happy living in this cold mausoleum. Satisfied with those people out there at this farce of a barbeque, who found every opportunity to remind Max how happyyou’d be if he weren’t around, or remind him that he was responsible for his mother’s death.” The frost coming from the other side of the huge desk did little to slow me down. “At least I know I can trust him to always look out for me, to be my safety net, to love me even when I make mistakes and not point fingers.”
Tears burned my eyes as I realized just how much Max truly loved me while I was too scared to utter those three simple words back to him. Emotions thickened my throat. “Yes, my dad gave up his job to look after my mom. Things are difficult right now, but he did it anyway because she’s his life. Max loves me the same way. Y-you have no idea how truly remarkable he is, or what you’ve missed by not giving him a chance to be your son.”
Chest heaving, I spun for the door, then swung right back. “And I do love him, more than I ever believed possible.”
I sprinted for the front door, dodging people who turned to stare at me. I had to find Max and tell him I loved him. I skittered to a halt at the imposing front entrance. His Jeep was there, but there was no sign of him.
“Ms. Logan,” Cecilia called from behind me. “Is there something wrong? You look upset?”
Right, as if I’d ever tell this piranha what had occurred. “Max? Did you see him?”
“Oh, he left, dear. He looked really upset.”
“Left?” I asked stunned. “But his Jeep’s still here.”
She shrugged. “Well, it wasn’t when he wanted it. My car was parked there”—she nodded to the opposite side of the driveway—“I told him to use it. You should give him some space.” She smiled sympathetically. “Men don’t like it when we women hover.”
I didn’t understand why he’d leave me behind or use this woman’s car. But at her pseudo attempt at concern for me, I said with barely suppressed fury, “Stop trying to push your niece on him, he’s not interested!”
Her worried expression morphed to a haughty one. “He won’t be yours for long. And do yourself a favor, dear. Go home. This isn’t the place for you, just as Max isn’t for you. You will never be accepted into polite society.”
Once the gloves were off, I guessed people’s true colors burst free. I opened my mouth then shut it. The woman was wasting my time. Max needed me.
“Cecilia,” Tanner walked out.
Instantly, her arrogant demeanor softened. “I’m sorry, Tanner, dear. I’m a little worried about Max.”
Damn liar! Ignoring her, I leaped down the portico steps, climbed into Max’s Jeep, and tore off down the driveway. I couldn’t blame him if he’d taken off to get away from these people. “Please, please be okay, Max.”
Only I had no idea where to look. And knowing how fast Max drove when he was upset—
Oh, dear God, my stomach twisted in fear. He could end up in an accident.
I snatched my cell from the center console and speed-dialed him. “C’mon—c’mon, Max, pick up, please pick up…”
