“Part of me expected they were going to jump us on the way out. The way he was looking at you guys was like, if he took out two famous brothers it would be a statement of power to his community.”
Justin’s voice is heavy as he reveals, “I saw the same thing. That’s why I pitted those vipers against their snake charmer. Make them suspicious of each other and bonds vanish.”
My throat is dry as I clarify for my own sanity, “That’s why you did that? I thought it was to make him talk to you.”
“That was almost guaranteed. I realized as we walked in, leaving wasn’t.” Glancing to my father his voice lowers, “I’m not taking you on these kinds of things again. You see his face?”
Dad runs a hand through his hair, staring out the windshield. “Yes. But you handled it well.”
“We both did.” Justin glances to me through the rearview. “If he ordered his bodyguards to jump us, he’d have lost everyone’s trust completely. Total mutiny. Max, you did good, too, when you spoke up.”
I take a deep breath, and sit back as rain starts to fall, the sound soothing as we ride back into the heart of Atlanta.
CHAPTER 34
N ATALIE
M ary’s a little buzzed on wine.
Alan’s got a gun on the table.
I’m staring at my phone.
We’ve run out of terrible scenarios to worry over.
My phone rings, Max’s name glowing from the screen. “Finally!” I jump off the couch to answer it. “Max? You okay? What’s going on?”
“Are you at Mary’s? They’re dropping me off. My Jeep is still there.”
“Yes, I’m here,” I exhale, smoothing my bangs with shaking fingers. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Did you find Franklin?”
“Yes, it’s done. See you soon.”
“Can’t wait! Thank you!”
We hang up and I lock eyes with Mary. “He sounds stressed. Whatever happened wasn’t easy.”
“Would Max have told you if anyone got hurt?”
Thinking about it I nod, “Yes, I think that would have been the first thing he’d have said.” Collapsing onto the couch I look at them and say, “I know I thanked you a million times, but—”
“If I was in trouble, what would you do?” Mary raises her eyebrows.
“Right.”
“Stop thanking me.”
Alan picks up his gun. “I guess I can put this away now.” He disappears into his bedroom and Mary hands me her half-full glass of Pinot Noir.
“Now do you want a sip?”
“Max is sober tonight.”
She retracts her hand and drinks it herself. “You watch TV and think how exciting those mafia things are, but when it’s in your face? I’m not entertained.”
“I just want a nice, simple existence for a while.” Grabbing one of her throw pillows I hug it. “Read a few great novels. Eat some chocolate. Get a massage somewhere if I feel like splurging.”
Alan rejoins us, and his shoes are back on. Guess he doesn’t want to greet the famous Cockers in socks. But Mary and I don’t mention the change. Let him do whatever makes him feel good as a man.
Pouring more red into her glass, Mary meets my eyes. “I think I know someone who might want to give you that massage.”
Understanding her meaning I frown, “He really went out of his way here, didn’t he?”
“Sure did,” Alan agrees, picking lint off his slacks. “I’ve never met one of these people personally before but I’m impressed. He was very upset when he realized he’d been shooting tonight when we knew you were in trouble. Genuinely hated that. Good guy, I like him.”
“Me too,” I whisper, chewing on everything.
A knock makes our heads turn. Alan says, “You wanna get that?”
I walk over, so freaked still that I need to make sure it isn’t Paul or some hired stalker who’s found me. “Hello?”
“Natalie, it’s Max.”
Exhaling I swing the door open and scan his body for bruises, cuts, anything. He enters the room, locked on me as he turns the deadbolt. “I’m okay. You okay?”
“Shell shocked, I think.”
He gathers me into his arms and I start crying as he kisses me, saying over and over, “I missed you so much! God I missed you.”
“I couldn’t call! I wanted to be at the shoots. I’ve listened to all of your messages. I was so glad to hear your voice even though I couldn’t talk to you!”
He breaks free to search my eyes. “I never asked, why did you all of a sudden disappear though, if this had been going on for longer?”
“You showed up at Swinging Richards asking about me. Boone and Robert told me how dangerous it was. I had to vanish. For both of us.”
A tortured grimace tangles his handsome face. “This was because of me and Hunter going there? I’m such an idiot. When you started being late, missing rehearsals, I went looking for answers. I never would have guessed that asshole was threatening you, purposefully keeping you from me.”
“How could you guess that? It’s my fault for not seeing his books were padded. For ignoring the sleazy side of him because I wanted the money.”
Max embraces me, kisses my hair and sees my friends watching us. He takes my hand and walks over. “Hey. Wow so…nice to meet you both.”
They laugh and Max gives this beautiful disbelieving grin. It spreads to me, too.
Alan’s standing and motions to a chair. “Would you like to have a seat? Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ll sit down though. I want to tell you what happened.”
Mary says, “Please! I’m dying to know!”
He sits and as I go to the other chair he tugs me onto his lap. “No, I need you close. You’ve been gone too long.”
Sliding my arms around his neck I take a deep breath and glance to Mary, who gives me an I-told-you smile. She and Alan sit on the edge of the couch as Max tells us every detail about the deal. As the story unfolds I’m numb with gratitude.
He turns his head, “That Boone guy you mentioned, he doesn’t like
