Page 30 of Max

Chace wasn’t lying when he said I was a lucky bastard. In all my dreams I had of the woman that sent me texts, I was nowhere near enough to the likes of Skylar. I also remembered how she looked at me under her lashes, thinking I couldn’t tell what was going on in her mind and how desperate she was for me to kiss her.

I knew the feeling.

I felt it.

I tasted it.

I almost broke down and gave us what we both wanted while I held her in my arms. Thank fuck I didn’t. I would not let it happen until the situation was resolved. That didn’t mean that I was going to let her disappear. Thank fuck, I didn’t have to fight hard. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. I had to call him. I got up, adjusted the covers around her, and stared. She was the most beautiful sight I ever saw. In the early morning light, she looked peaceful, angelic almost.

I leaned in and brushed my fingers over her face. Fuck. Who would have thought I would turn up being a romantic? Shaking my head at my sappiness, I left her alone in that bed.

“Max,” he said in the way of greeting.

“Stone.”

Fuck, that was hard. I haven’t spoken to him in months, and there I was calling him to pull him back into the eye of the storm.

“I have a situation.”

“I heard,” his voice dark with meaning. “Welcome to the club, brother.”

It was fucked up, me calling him after what he has been through. Still, I couldn’t think of anyone better for the job.

“You got the brief?” I asked.

“Yeah. Liv was here yesterday.”

“I need a few days, and then I’m there.” He was business-like.

“Stone,” I tried to stay calm, but I was losing control.

“Lock it down, Ryan.”

“How can I be locking it down, when there’s a fucking psycho running around Denver considering my woman his plaything?” I let some of the frustration and anger to seep out.

“Your woman?” Surprise tickled my eardrum.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “My woman.”

“Does she know that?”

“To an extent.”

“Never thought I would see a day,” he left the rest hanging unsaid.

“She is the one behind the text. She is also the one,” I said out loud for the first time. “The fucked-up thing is, she comes with some heavy baggage and a psychopath on her heels.”

“They always do,” he muttered. “I want to know everything. Liv didn’t know much, and she divulged what you told them, now I wanna know the rest.”

I told him everything. I didn’t hold anything back. Out of everyone, Noah Stone was the man I trusted the most. He was my mentor. He was my brother. And I know he would have my back.

“Fuck,” he spat once I was done.

“Yup,” I watched as Skylar stumbled sleepily down the stairs.

Her hair was a mess; she was rubbing her eyes and yawning. She was cute as hell. She also wore something that could barely pass as underwear. Which meant her legs were on full display. Damn. I couldn’t wait for the day those would be wrapped around my waist and I-

“Ryan!” Stone barked in my ear.