39. Drew
CHAPTER 39
DREW
T he past week has been training, classes, and nights with Max where we all find a distraction with our bodies and refuse to talk about the fact that the FBI is lurking around every corner and keeping their eyes on us. Even from a distance.
Danner has said to not worry about it. That they’re just trying to get one of us to break, or catch even the smallest thing.
We’ve all been on our best behavior. Which isn’t the easiest thing, especially for Caine. Though, I see the fire blazing in Max’s eyes every time Karissa is in a class and tries to hit on any of us. My girl is possessive, and I like it. Everything has shifted with us, everything is stronger now, though none of us can seem to admit it out loud.
I want to. I want to tell her everything, every single thing she does to me. I just don’t know how to put it into words, but I want her to know.
“Danner’s coming by. Says she has news,” Adam announces at the end of class once everyone has left.
“Good or bad?” I question.
“Didn’t say, just news.”
I huff out an annoyed breath. Something is better than nothing I guess, I just want this all to be behind us.
Max drops down on the floor to start stretching, and it makes me want to stretch her out in other ways. I’m addicted to her, and there’s no use in denying it. I join her on the floor under the guise of helping. She gives me a smirk over her shoulder as I drop down behind her as she sits with her legs spread. I cage hers in with mine, pushing on her back to help her go lower into her stretch.
She turns her head to the side. “This would be a lot more fun naked.”
I chuckle. “It’s like you took the thought right out of my head, little one.”
I’m about to see if I can dip my hands into her tight pants she’s wearing to feel her cunt to see if she’s already wet, but that plan is interrupted when Danner walks into the gym. I inwardly groan, especially when Max removes her body from mine and I fall backwards on the mat dramatically.
She stands above me with her hand outstretched. “C’mon, big guy, we can have fun time later.”
I take her hand in mine, letting her help pull me up to standing where I’m able to tower over her. I want to close the distance between our mouths. I want to take her right here on the mat. I want to do so many things with her but she turns away from me, walking toward her friend and I know we need to get this out of the way.
Instead of the folder Danner usually has when she brings us information, she has a tablet.
“What’ve you got for us today, boss?” I tease.
She glares at me. “Not your boss.”
“You’re right. We all know who the real boss is.” I direct my gaze to Max.
Max just shakes her head with a smirk.
“Okay, who wants to know how much of a piece of shit Carson was?” Danner announces.
“Pretty sure we’re all caught up on that,” Caine grumbles.
“Yeah, I had a front row seat to his asshole tendencies, I don’t know what else you could tell me at this point,” Max adds.
“Do you know how he found you here?” Danner asks with a raised eyebrow and Max freezes.
“No, actually.”
“What about his actual involvement with your parents and the reason they were so desperate for you to marry him?"
I tense at the mention of the would be marriage, and I swear I feel the anger radiating off Caine from the mention of it as well. Adam keeps his cool, remaining still as stone, just staring and waiting for whatever Danner is going to tell us.
“I just assumed it had to do with money or something.” Max shrugs.
“Or something,” Danner agrees, pulling something up on the tablet. “So, I was able to get into Carson’s computer and phone, it all took some digging though which is why it’s taken me so long. Plus it wasn’t at the top of my list, but keeping all of us out of prison is.”
“Hold on.” Max holds up her hand. “You hacked into his stuff? Who the fuck are you?”
“Shh, sweetie, we’ve been over this.” Danner smiles and I really would like the answer to the same question. I’ve also overheard Cal and Alexander talk about her, but they couldn’t handle her, especially with all this mystery. I’m sure they’ll figure it out eventually. ‘
Danner continues, “First of all, I had to sort through a lot of porn, like a lot .”
“Not surprised.” Max rolls her eyes.
“I was finally able to find a contract and it was between the Bradfords and your parents.” Danner nods toward Max. “It was worded very carefully, but essentially they were selling you to the Bradfords. Your parents finances are not doing well at all.”
“Okay, but Carson didn’t even really want me, so what the fuck did he get out of this deal other than his parents shelling out a bunch of money?”
“Carson got to become the CEO. Essentially a win-win to everyone. Your parents get paid, Carson runs their businesses, and in turn it would be partnered up with the Bradford’s company as well.”
“A win for everyone but me.” Max shakes her head. “So, how did he find me?”
“That was pretty easy to figure out, he’s not great at deleting his communications. He made a connection here and I’ll give you one guess as to who that is.” Danner looks at all of us, waiting.
“Doogie,” I say immediately.
“Bingo.” Danner points to me.
“Hold on.” Max holds up a hand, seeming to process what we’re being told. “That doesn’t explain how he knew I was here.”
“It does, though,” Danner disagrees. “All it takes is looking you up to find your family and Carson. He just needed your name, got a hold of Carson and kept an eye on you for him until Carson was ready to come here himself.”
“That mother fucker is dead,” Caine growls, seeming like he’s about to go commit the murder right now.
“We’ll deal with him, but chill for a second,” Danner tells him calmly, though I have to agree with him and Doogie’s days are numbered.
“So, he kept tabs on me or something? All while Carson was just biding his time until he came and kidnapped me?”
“Pretty much. Doogie’s the one that broke into your house too,” Danner adds.
“Oh, we knew that already,” I add.
“You did?” Max swings her narrowed gaze onto me.
I give her a small smile. “Yeah, doesn’t matter now. We’re going to handle him for good this time.”
“I’m not covering up another murder. I know you guys have your revenge you want to take out on him and that’s fine, but one at a time is enough for me,” Danner says, deadpan to all of us.
“At a time?” Max gasps.
“Where do we stand with the investigation?” Adam chimes in, attempting to get everyone back on track like he does.
“They’re looking into Max’s parents. Of course they lawyered up immediately, but I have info being fed to the detectives to help move the investigation in our favor.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“The contract, some of the communication doesn’t look the best. Add in the guards I planted at his house while we went in who can give a story about both of them showing up.” Danner shrugs like it’s simple. “Plus, we all have alibis.”
“We do?” Max asks.
“Yeah, don’t question me so much. I’m starting to think you don’t trust me,” Danner says, acting offended and Max just scoffs. “Look, it’s a simple story, they just have to believe it. Then your parents will get to spend the rest of their days in prison.”
“What’s the story then?”
“You ran away from an arranged marriage twice and they got mad at Carson for letting it happen again. They weren’t going to get their ass saved by you. They got desperate and pissed, so they killed him.”
“You think that’s going to work?” Adam asks.
Caine has been noticeably quiet, so I look over at him to see he’s still fuming and definitely fighting the urge to rush out of here to find Doogie. He finally says something and I can see the anger in his eyes with his question. “Who’s their lawyer?”
Danner looks at him, swiping through her tablet a little bit before letting out a humorless chuckle. “Aldridge.” She looks back up at him. “Your dad and brother.”
“Of fucking course,” he grumbles.
“It’s fine. You all really need to work on trusting me. I’ve done nothing but help you.” Danner shakes her head.
“We do, we’re just on edge I think,” I add.
“Should be almost over, Even though I told you not to say anything,” she directs her comment to Max, her eyes narrowed. “It seems like it got the FBI off your back a bit.”
“See, I know what I’m doing,” Max announces proudly.
I pull her into my side, kissing the side of her head and chuckling. “Good job, little one.”