Chapter 36
“Wait, we’re doing… what?” Lexie asked, blinking in disbelief. Had she heard correctly? Everyone was sitting in the Monday morning staff meeting, which was usually a tedious event. Not today!
Her principal was practically bouncing on her toes, her excitement infectious.
“A career day! A real career day with some amazing speakers. Just today, I got calls from several professionals willing to come and talk to the kids. We’ll have an accountant who can explain tax law, a marketing expert to show them how to turn their art into money, an investment broker to teach them about smart financial strategies, and more!
” She rattled off a list of professions, her voice gaining momentum with every word.
Lexie tried to keep up, her surprise growing. “That’s incredible!” she managed, overwhelmed by the breadth of opportunities being planned. “We’ve never had a career day before because people are too intimidated by this neighborhood!”
The room fell into amazed silence. Lexie’s heart stopped for a moment before it started racing again. She looked around at the other teachers, who were staring, wide eyed, at their principal.
“A scholarship endowment?” one of them whispered. “For every student with a 3.0 or higher?”
Lexie’s principal beamed enthusiastically. “That’s right! Fully paid tuition. The endowment is solid—our district lawyers have already reviewed the contract. It’s all legitimate.” She practically vibrated with excitement, her giddy energy filling the room.
Lexie’s throat tightened, her mind whirling. “Who… who’s the sponsor?” she asked, her voice catching on the words.
“It was set up by a private, anonymous donor,” the principal replied, clearly unconcerned by the mystery. “But whoever they are, this will change lives! Just think—college opportunities for kids who thought they’d never have a chance!”
The staff room erupted into excited whispers, the teachers exchanging wide-eyed glances as they tried to process the windfall.
Lexie, however, remained quiet. Her lips pressed together to hold back a laugh as the realization hit her.
The clothes she’d left behind in Max’s closet probably cost more than a year of tuition at a state school.
The career day lineup? She’d bet her meager savings that Max had arranged for his staff to volunteer.
“Who would do this?” someone asked, their voice tinged with awe. “Why here? Why not at one of the bigger, wealthier schools?”
Lexie tuned out the murmurs as she thought. The clothes, the purses, even the shoes? None of that mattered to her. But scholarships for her kids? An opportunity for a future they would not have otherwise had? That offer spoke directly to her heart.
Her chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. Maybe Max did truly understand who she was and what her job meant to her. And if this was his way of showing it, he’d done a damn good job.
Seven hours later, Lexie was about to go out of her mind. The minutes were ticking by so slowly, she could barely stand the suspense. All she wanted was to get out of here and head over to Max’s house. Would he be at his penthouse in the city? Or was he across the bay at his magnificent house?
She didn’t care. She’d visit his penthouse first because it was closer and…maybe she should call him? Or show up at his office?
Yes, that was the best plan. She’d go to his office.
Lexie’s heart pounded as she hurried down the school hallway, memories of the last time she’d shown up at Max’s office swirling behind her eyes.
That had been the day her world turned upside down, the moment she’d learned the truth: Max was the mafia king of the Pacific Northwest. She’d seen the guns, heard the threats, and caught the edge of danger in his tone as he commanded whoever was on the other end of a call to fall in line—or face the consequences.
But now, her perspective had shifted. Over the past few days, she’d come to suspect that Max’s intimidating demeanor wasn’t just about maintaining power—it was about using it well.
Maybe the person on the other end of that call had been a corrupt business leader exploiting customers or a crooked politician abusing their position.
Max had layers, and she wasn’t sure yet if she should fear them or admire them.
When the final bell rang, Lexie’s students burst out of the classroom, a wave of youthful energy and chatter.
The scholarship program and career day announcements had electrified them, their conversations buzzing with hope and excitement.
Lexie couldn’t help but smile. For once, the world felt a little brighter, and she felt like maybe, just maybe, she was part of something bigger.
It took her less than ten minutes to clean up her classroom. Normally, she’d bring papers home to grade, but not tonight. Tonight, she had somewhere to be. With one last glance around the room, she grabbed her bag and dashed for the parking lot.
“Hey, what’s the rush?” one of the other teachers called out, laughing as Lexie hurried by.
“Gotta meet up with my fiancé!” she called back, barely slowing down.
She waved cheerfully to the two guards stepping out of the big black SUV parked near the school.
Max’s people. She knew they were there to protect her, trailing her through her day-to-day errands and even the grocery store.
In the past, their constant presence had irked her, a reminder of the dangers tied to Max’s world. But tonight, she felt only gratitude.
“Heading to see Max!” she called out as she jogged to her beat-up old car, laughing at their startled expressions.
Last night after spotting them, she’d avoided even looking their way, let alone telling them her plans.
She paused at her car door as she rummaged through her oversized leather tote for her car keys.
Focused on her bag, she didn’t notice the navy-blue minivan parked a few spaces over. Lexie paid it no mind.
So, it came as a shock when hard fingers grabbed her arms, yanking her off the sidewalk. She gasped, her bag knocking her off balance as she struggled against the iron grip holding her.
“Hey! What—!” she started to yell, but before she could process what was happening, she was shoved into the back of the minivan. The door slammed shut, and the vehicle lurched forward, speeding out of the lot.