Page 118 of Unbreakable Thread

“What it is to be young,” Carlos says bitterly. “You’re welcome to hang out in the office,” Carlos offers.

“She’s fine here,” Max says, his voice hard.

Carlos laughs, making his body shake. “Max, no need to be overly possessive. Let the lady speak for herself.”

It’s damn obvious this man wants to catch me alone to throw more threats my way. Max stands, and luckily, he changed into his gym clothing at the office. The muscles on his shoulder and back flex. Max picks up his hand wraps. “Possessive? No…” He shakes his head. “Protective of her and our child? I am.” He finishes wrapping his hands. Done with the conversation.

Carlos’s laugh is strained. “I get you, Max. Nothing will happen in the office. She’s safe with us.”

“I’m good here, Carlos. Nothing makes me happier than watching my man in action.”

Carlos nods and pats Max on the shoulder. Max doesn’t lean into it. Doesn’t return it. He’s cold toward him. Just stands there. Three months ago, that pat would have landed like a blessing. Today, Max’s eyes are elsewhere. It has me worried because Carlos will think I told Max something and might hurt Leo or me. Carlos noticed. He had to. I saw his jaw tighten for just a second. He noticed. I need to talk to Max. Tonight. Before Carlos does something. I’m also terrified of what will happen if I do tell Max.

Forty-five minutes later, Max walks back to me, drenched in sweat. I hand him a clean towel. He mumbles a quick thank you, wiping the sweat from today’s workout.

Max swings his bag over his shoulder, then places the palm of his hand on the small of my back and guides us toward the door. I freeze when Annette walks in with a cast on her arm. She has numerous bruises on her face. Her eyes are glassy and red. She doesn’t look our way but does side-eye us.

Carlos crosses the room in four steps. “What is it, sweetheart? What happened?” Carlos’s emotions for Annette are ones you would think a man like him wouldn’t have. But for her, he unfolds.

“My-my career is over.” She hands him folded-up papers. “The doctor said I’ll need surgery soon.”

We don’t hear the rest. Max opens the door as we step out into the hot evening air. I glance back once. Carlos unfolding for her in a way he never did for Max. I dislike the woman with a passion, but I wouldn’t wish anything bad on anyone. “What happened to her?” I ask, looking over my shoulder at Max.

He shrugs, catching up with me. “Maybe her fat mouth and arrogance finally caught up to her.”

“Maybe…but I don’t wish her…”

“I don’t give a shit what happens to her. She fucked with the wrong person.” He shuts the passenger door.

My brows furrow. When he opens his door, I ask. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I wait for him to get in. “Did you do something?” I ask.

He stalls when he inserts the key. “I don’t hit women.”

“I know that.”

“I had nothing to do with it.” His words come out truthfully. He looks at a half-empty parking lot. I believe him. But I also believe he knows who did.

“Okay…are you and Carlos not getting along? You seemed terse with him. Never seen you so hostile.”

He’s silent as he backs out of the parking lot. “Let’s just say there have been things I’ve been noticing about him I don’t agree with.”

“Oh…I’m sorry. I know he means a lot to you.”

“He does…but now I’m not sure.”

I nod. “Max?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“When we get home.” I pause for a second. “Can I talk to you about something?”

He might hate me for withholding it, but I had to save my baby’s life and Leo’s and myself first, and also because he’s always seen Carlos as a father. Watching him be cold toward Carlos without knowing why—I think he’s ready. I hope he’s ready. Will he believe my gut feeling that Carlos caused the fire? Now we know it wasn’t electrical; the report confirms it. Someone did it. The question that hangs is, will it make things worse if I tell him everything? Will Carlos hurt Max?

“Of course you can.” He glances at me. “We’ll grab something up to eat, then you can tell me what’s on your mind.” He’s quiet for a second. “Did I do something wrong?” The space between his brows pinches.

“No, you did nothing wrong.”

“Okay, good. The look on your face has me worried.”