“Woo hoo! Those two kicked ass.” She throws her hands in the air clapping loudly.
Tears well up in my eyes and I smile at her. “They really did. The control and power in each of their body language and voices made me even tremble a little.”
“What’s next in the plan?” my dad asks.
“We wait. Chris got a call for me to talk to an official in South America, but he’s trying to negotiate the man coming here. Since I haven’t been charged, we don’t have to travel. Max doesn’t want me near there until we find out why the girls are lying. Their depositions put me in danger. Also, we think Jake will have something soon. He’s really good at his job.”
“I thought he was a bodyguard?” my mom questions.
“He’s kind of a super spy bodyguard,” I lie.
My phone rings and Max’s face fills the screen. “Hey, you were great.” I tell him walking to the porch.
“I’m pissed. I almost pummeled that jackass for asking about us.”
“Honey, it’s not really a secret.”
“No, but he purposely tried to discount my credibility.”
“Umm,” I murmur thinking of Max and his commanding presence. It’s a complete turn-on, which is highly unsuitable for everything happening around me.
“Did you just moan?”
“Yeah, I can’t help it. You looked fucking hot. The air in the room was still as you demanded attention and respect. Everyone hung onto your every word. If I were there, we’d probably be naked right now.”
“Jesus! Did you really just say that? I’m fired up ready to kill and your thinking about being naked? I’m trying to defend your honor here and keep my company clean.”
“Yep. Pretty sure defending my honor earned you a blow job.”
He lets out an audible breath and chuckles. “Glad to know your priorities are in line.”
“Max, I know I’m currently a sinking ship. I lost sixty percent of my business this morning. My mind is reeling with what I’ll do next and if they find enough evidence to charge me. But for a few seconds, it was fun to forget.”
“Babe, few seconds? How about tonight I make you forget for hours?”
“My parents are down the hall,” I argue.
“Leave it up to me. God, I love you. You’ve made me smile even with a totally fucking shitty morning.”
“Love you too. Now I have to go call Chris and tell him how hot and amazing he was too.”
“Stell …” Max growls. “Don’t even joke. He’s my best friend, don’t give him any ideas that he has a chance with you. He’ll take the risk of an ass whipping.”
“I’m kidding! I do need to call and thank him. We need to get a plan together too. My statement went out to the officials this morning.”
“See you tonight.” He hangs up and my phone immediately rings again.
I’m surprised to see it’s Marshall Barnes. “Hello.”
“Stella Bella, are you okay?” he asks with a deep voice.
“Not really, but I’m hanging in there.”
“I called Chris White and told him I’m your business lawyer. We’re working together on a few things. The first thing I’ve done is called the bank and frozen your account indefinitely until we get a trace on who sent the money. It’s my understanding you have a friend with special skills?”
How does he know about Jake? And how much does he know? “How?”
“Don’t ask questions. I’ve been digging around. I know things. Keep your chin up. I’m working on an angle as well. And tell that fella of yours I may have been too hard on him Saturday. Knowing what I know now, he may be an alright guy.” He hangs up without me asking him what he’s talking about.