Chapter 31
“All done?” Max asked when Lexie stepped into his office later that afternoon. He leaned back in his chair, setting aside a tablet he’d been reviewing.
“Yeah,” she replied, moving closer to his desk. Her brow furrowed slightly as she studied him. “Who are you, Max? Really?”
One dark eyebrow lifted in surprise, and amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Who do you think I am?” It was a dangerous question, and he wasn’t sure there was a good answer.
Lexie tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she searched his face. She stayed silent for a moment, clearly considering her response. Before she could speak, Max lifted a finger, beckoning her closer.
Obeying his unspoken command, Lexie approached.
When she was within reach, Max took her hand and gently pulled her onto his lap.
She hesitated briefly before wrapping her arms around his neck, her soft curves pressing against him.
He sighed quietly in satisfaction, the tension of the day easing slightly.
“How are you going to stop George Thermopolis from running in the primary for the governor’s race?” she asked curiously.
“I won’t,” Max replied calmly.
Lexie frowned, tilting her head to study him. “Then why did you tell whoever that was on the phone earlier that he wouldn’t be allowed to run?”
A slow smile curved his lips. “He won’t run,” he said with unwavering confidence. “Tomorrow—or maybe even later tonight—he’ll bow out of the race.”
“He will?” she asked, skepticism lacing her voice.
“He will,” Max repeated, his tone resolute.
Lexie leaned in closer, her soft warmth distracting him more than he wanted to admit.
As her breasts pressed against his chest, he fought the urge to glance at the open door.
Maladire! The woman needed to learn to close doors when she wanted privacy.
Or, more accurately, when he wanted privacy.
Which was right now. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since he’d made love to her, and that was far too long.
“How do you know?” she asked, pulling his attention back to the conversation.
He sighed, realizing that this wasn’t a question he could just brush off.
If Lexie was going to stay in his life—and she was—then she needed to understand, at least broadly, what he did.
He couldn’t tell her everything; too much detail would put her in danger.
But she deserved the truth about who he was.
“Lexie,” he began, “no one runs for a political office unless I approve them.”
She pulled back slightly to better see his face, her expression shifting to one of disbelief. “Why?”
“Because I have businesses that require a certain…political leaning,” he replied, choosing his words carefully.
Her eyes narrowed again, suspicion flickering there. “Because you don’t want to go to prison?”
Max laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “You’ll never have to worry about me going to prison. I pay my taxes, and I run legitimate businesses.”
“But you control…what exactly?” she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and trepidation.
He considered how to answer her. There were many ways to explain, but in the end, he decided to keep it simple—and honest. “Everything,” he said, the single word carrying all the weight of the empire he’d built.
“Everything?” she repeated, her tone incredulous.
“Everything,” he confirmed, nodding. “Every business in this city, every politician, every major decision—they all pass through me. It’s not about avoiding prison, Lexie.
It’s about keeping order. Ensuring everything runs smoothly and fairly.
When I approve a candidate, it’s because they’ve shown that they will uphold fairness and consistency. ”
She stared at him, her brows knitting together as she tried to process his words. “You’re saying you decide who runs this city? This state?”
“I make sure the right people are in place to do what needs to be done,” Max replied. He rubbed her back, his touch both soothing and possessive. “And in return, I ensure that corruption is minimized, small businesses are protected, and the streets don’t devolve into chaos.”
Lexie was silent for a long moment, unconsciously playing with the hair at the back of his neck. “But what happens to the people who don’t follow your…rules?”
His jaw tightened slightly, but his gaze didn’t waver. “Then they face the consequences. Swiftly and decisively.”
Her breath caught, and she looked down, her thoughts swirling. Was Max a criminal, or was he something else entirely? A man wielding immense power, not for greed but for control—for what he saw as the greater good. It was terrifying, yet somehow, she wasn’t entirely sure it was wrong.
Finally, she looked back up at him. “And me?” she whispered. “Where do I fit into all of this?”
Max’s expression softened slightly, and he cupped her face in his hands. “You, mia cara, are the only part of my world I don’t want to control. You’re the one thing I want just as you are.”
Her heart skipped a beat, but she wasn’t entirely sure if she believed him—or if she ever truly could.
“I control the Pacific Northwest. My territory runs up into Canada and Alaska, down through Northern California, and out across Idaho,” Max explained, his tone matter-of-fact.
“Las Vegas?” Lexie teased hopefully, raising an eyebrow.
He shook his head seriously. “No. Las Vegas falls under Luca Bernardi’s territory.” Sliding his hand over her thigh, he added, “However, I’m good friends with Luca. If you’d like to visit Vegas, that can be arranged.”
Her brow furrowed as she studied him. “Do you have to arrange trips out of your territory?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Courtesy,” he replied with a casual shrug. He didn’t want to burden her with the complexities of his world, especially since he already had plans for their honeymoon—plans that didn’t involve territorial courtesy.
Speaking of which... “When are you going to resign from your job?” he asked, his tone as smooth as ever.
Lexie froze, her body stiffening against him. He felt her pull away, and though every instinct urged him to hold her close, he let her go. This conversation needed to happen, and her anger was a distraction he couldn’t afford.
“I’ve told you before. I’m not quitting my job, Max,” she said firmly, moving to the other side of his desk.
She stood there, arms crossed, glaring at him.
“I love my job.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead with her thumb and index finger, frustration evident.
“The only reason I’m here right now is because I refused to sacrifice my job to Enzo’s blackmail. ”
“Is that the only reason you’re here, Lex?” Max asked, his voice dropping a meaningful octave.
Her eyes widened, and she stammered slightly. “No, I just...,” she stopped, realizing what she’d just admitted.
“So, you would have eventually come back to me?” he pressed, his dark eyes gleaming.
Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, bracing her hands on the desk. “Did you put Enzo up to blackmailing me? Was this whole thing just a ruse to get me back?”
Max stared at her for a long moment, then burst out laughing. The deep, resonant sound filled the room, catching Lexie off guard. “No, Lex,” he said, walking around the desk to stand directly in front of her. “Although, if I’d thought it would work, yes, I might have considered it.”
“You’re a bastard,” she hissed, shoving at his chest. But Max didn’t budge. He was immovable, solid, and entirely undeterred.
“And you’re in love with me,” he countered, his voice low and certain.
Lexie froze again, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. “No. No, I’m not. I don’t…!” she began, but her protestations faltered under the weight of his confidence.
He kissed her, cutting off her fumbling with a tenderness that both disarmed and consumed her.
The truth was in her eyes, even if Lexie hadn’t fully acknowledged it yet.
But Max saw it, clear as day. That acknowledgment would come, he vowed.
Because this time, he wouldn’t let her walk away.
Not after everything they’d shared this weekend.
Breaking the kiss, he brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Now, about your job,” he began again, his tone growing commanding. “The school where you work is too dangerous. You’ll have to quit. I won’t have my wife put in harm’s way.”
Her eyes narrowed, fire flashing behind them. “You don’t get to dictate my life, Max.”
“I’m not dictating. I’m protecting you,” he corrected calmly, but there was no mistaking the steel in his voice. “There’s a difference.”
“Not to me,” she shot back, crossing her arms again.
“I love my job, Max. I’m not giving it up just because you’ve decided it’s dangerous.
If you think the area is too dangerous, then fix the area.
” She tilted her head slightly. “You just told me you control everything.” Her eyes sparkled up at him. “Control the danger, Max.”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, neither spoke. The air between them was charged, the tension palpable. Max knew this was going to be a battle, but he was ready. Because when it came to Lexie, he wouldn’t compromise on her safety—even if it meant fighting her stubborn streak head-on.