Page 3 of Maximus

“Eva—”

“But I think you’re overreacting. We’re fine. You made sure of it.”

Tex made sure of it, all right. One day I was desperate, destitute, and out of options. Jay had taken my boys, hidden them from me, and threatened to do heinous things to them—some of which he carried out.

Then Tex happened.

I’d never seen him, didn’t know his last name, where he lived, who he was, but he was my savior. I was forever indebted to him even if he didn’t see it that way.

“No debt. You’re free and clear. Take care of your kids and don’t look back.” That was what Tex had told me when two men dressed in black delivered my kids to me in a shitty pay-by-the-night motel room. Then he’d explained just what he’d done, all the ways he’d truly saved me.

Now we were living in a small two-bedroom bungalow in Florida. We had new identities, and we lived simple. I had the perfect life. Me and my boys, an honest day’s work, clean. We were finally clean. Out from under the filth and scum that had surrounded our lives, thanks to Jay.

No, that wasn’t right—thanks to me. Everything that had happened was my fault, I take responsibility. I chose Jay. I was so stupid—again—I didn’t see him for who he truly was until it was too late. And, boy, did I pay. All three of us did.

Tex’s voice brought me back to the present. “I sent a friend of mine, Max Brown, down to check on you. He’s a former SEAL who now works in the private sector. He’s the best of the best. He’s coming this morning to have a word. I’d like you to go up to Maryland with him. There’s a safehouse—”

“No! My job. I can’t lose it.”

The first splinter on my façade cracked. I’d worked so damn hard to give my boys stability. They were happy, I couldn’t rip it all away from them. Not again.

“You’re in danger.”

“What kind of danger? Jay is—”

“You are in danger.” Tex enunciated each word as ice infused my veins.

No! Not again.

Before I could ask him to explain, there was a knock at the door.

“Make sure you ask who it is before you answer.”

“Right. I don’t know what this guy even looks like.”

“Blond. Blue eyes. Six-foot two. He’ll be wearing a frown.”

“A frown?”

“Max is… unreadable. He’ll also protect you with his life.”

“Why would he do that? He doesn’t know me.”

“Because I’ve asked him to. Because while he doesn’t know you, and just to note, he doesn’t trust you, he knows me.”

Welp, my day off just took a turn to Shitsville.

“Who is it?” I called out once I made it to the door.

“Max Brown.”

Deep, rough, rumbly.

Nice.

“How do I know it’s really you?”

“Good girl.” Tex chuckled.