To Die For - Davidson King Page 0,40
true.” My mind wandered to Dorian showing up. An unpleasant surprise—but sometimes that was what you got in this town.
“Next,” the guy shouted, and Max led me to our cart.
Once we were secured, it started to move. We were going slow as more people were getting on. I watched Max as he took in everything around him. I could see the boy he once was, and I didn’t feel resentment that his life was probably good all the time. Many times I hated hearing how great life was for others, knowing mine wasn’t. But I wanted Max to have had a good life.
“Here we go,” he said as the Ferris wheel moved, and I chuckled at the delight on his face.
“You’re such a kid.”
He turned to me and gave me an unforgiving smile. “And maybe you need to be a kid a little bit more.”
He wasn’t wrong. There was a carefree feeling to childhood and I figured, while I was on a Ferris wheel with Max, I’d be that carefree person. If just for tonight.
“You’re right.” I lifted my hands when we reached the top and shouted at the top of my lungs. Max laughed and followed suit, yelling with me.
When we got off the ride, we were laughing like loons. I felt amazing, like there wasn’t a care in the world.
“Come on, now we need cotton candy.” Max pulled me along, and I went without question. He ordered a blue and a pink one. “We can share.”
We sat on a bench, listening to the music. It was chilly since autumn was making itself known. We ate the cotton candy and enjoyed our company and the songs. I didn’t feel like I needed to say anything to Max in that moment, and it was perfect.
“Here I’ll throw these out.” I handed Max the paper cone and he walked to throw them away. I was so lost in my happiness, I didn’t realize someone stood in front of me until he spoke.
“Having fun?”
I looked up and into the eyes of one of Dorian’s men. I couldn’t remember his name, but I’d seen him with Dorian every time.
“Yes, what the hell do you want?”
He smirked. “Mr. Birch just asked me to keep an eye on you, and if I saw an opportunity to remind you to speak with Atlas, I was to do so. I’m following those orders.”
I peered over to where Max went and saw he was speaking with an elderly couple.
“And you couldn’t come to me when Max was around, why? Afraid he’d kick your ass too?”
He narrowed his eyes and leaned down. “I could next time if you’d like, Lane. Maybe spill a few of your secrets while I’m at it. Would that be okay with you?”
“Tell Dorian I don’t need reminding.”
He smiled and stood straight. “No way to know if you had a fucked-up mind like your mother.”
Without thinking of the consequences, I stood and pushed him. He didn’t move far, but the move got Max’s attention and he rushed over, immediately putting himself in the middle of us.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Max said to the guy, likely recognizing him.
“Nothing. I was just talking to Lane here. Didn’t realize I’d struck a nerve, is all.” He moved away, his expression indicating he knew exactly what he was doing. “You two have a nice night.” He then turned and walked away, and Max didn’t take his eyes off him until he was out of sight.
“Are you all right?” he asked me, his gaze traveling up along my body, assessing.
“I’m fine.”
He met my eyes; I could see the millions of questions swimming there.
“It’s late, you ready to go?” I knew he wanted to question me but was grateful he didn’t.
“Yeah. I have an early class tomorrow.”
I followed Max out of the grounds and to his truck. It was the most perfect night of my life until my past, once again, came back to bite me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Max
It had been two days since my date with Sparkles. We had the most perfect night until the very end. I knew it soured the evening for him, and while he mustered a smile and a kiss that curled my toes, I knew whatever the guy said to him wasn’t good. I wished he’d talk to me, but I also knew pushing Sparkles never ended well.
I was behind the bar a couple of hours prior to opening with Shane helping me organize everything when Ciro approached.
“Where’s Atlas at?” he asked.
“Office, I think,”