Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Maxwell Holmberg
The Max stands out loudly.
The Holmberg name is well-known. They have oldish money and run a very tight ship. They have one black sheep in the family, and it is Maxwell. He makes one bad deal after another. I don’t understand why they didn’t just trust fund him and be done. That would be a hell of a lot cheaper.
Maxwell also dabbles in insider trading. I’d been the one to learn that when he was trying to impress me at an event years ago. I don’t know if he thought we were in some boys’ club. I’m not a boy.
I hadn’t turned him into the feds. No, I let his father know what his son was up to and a handful of others that I have worked with through the years out of respect. You don’t want to do business with Maxwell because one day when he gets busted, you wouldn’t want your name anywhere near his.
I click the email and see what I already know: the Max Candy has spoken of is in fact him. I’m not surprised in the least that he tried to pull some shady shit with Candy. Nick also implies carefully that Candy could be under Max’s hold, and he’s not sure what the man is up to, but this isn’t a coincidence. My connection to Candy is Maxwell. At least the dumb fuck is good for something.
I wouldn't give a shit if she had been under Max’s control and she's here doing his bidding. I’d find a way to pull her out, but I don’t believe that. Oh, I believe he’s got a plan against me, but if Candy was really his, he never would have let her slip away.
I would never use my woman in a plan to take another person down, especially a pregnant one. But either way, I know she isn’t in on anything. Her reactions are too real. She is running scared.
“Fucking Maxwell Holmberg.” A small gasp has my head snapping up. Candy is standing there in white pajamas that have tiny candy canes on them.
“You know.” She wrings her hands together in front of her.
“Come here.” I motion with my finger, and she comes right to me.
No fucking way she belongs to Maxwell in any capacity. The man is part con, and I don’t care if Candy is having his children; I’ll do whatever I have to to protect her and the babies. Even if that means getting my hands dirty, or better yet, bloody.
Chapter Thirteen
CANDY
Ireally shouldn’t be surprised that he found out about Max. I had given him my full name, and if I’ve learned anything about Hollis, he’s a fixer.
“I’m sorry.” I feel the need to apologize. All this man has been is good to me, and I hate that I might be messing up his life. He’s gone through enough. He left the city along with its chaos behind, and I’ve brought it right to his door.
“Why would you be sorry?”
“That Max has pulled you into this.”
Hollis’s brows pull together. “I know Maxwell Holmberg.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Come and sit; you said your feet are hurting.” I turn to go over to the couch in his office but only make it a few steps before I am easily swept off my feet by Hollis. He walks over, sitting down with me in his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck, enjoying being close to him.
“How do you know him?” I ask. If they knew each other, then Max picked his, ah, semen for a reason. It’s so strange to think of it that way.
“The business world can be rather big and small at the same time. Maxwell isn’t a good business man or human, for that matter. Why his family still tolerates his bullshit, I don’t understand but to each their own.”
I let his words sink in and realize he doesn’t know it all. Maxwell kept me tucked away from his family. I thought it was because I wasn’t good enough for them, but maybe it’s him that’s not good enough after all.
“Is there a reason he’s, uh, targeting you?” I don’t know what else to call it.
“I outed him on a few of his shady dealings to his family and other associates. It’s been a few years since I even heard his name. I all but forgot about him. I don’t work with anyone that is willing to work with him. Maxwell and most others know this.”
"I don’t think he’s forgotten about you. If he is mad at you, which I believe is likely since Max can hold a grudge forever, it doesn’t matter if the reason is big or small."
He’ll hold it over you. I am piecing together that many of his actions were intended to bring me down, making me believe he was the best I could have. I felt that I should be grateful he chose to be my friend.