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“Get him out of here,” Caldwell yelled.
“Wait,” Max said and approached Alvin.
“You’re nothing but a lowlife loser who could have had a great relationship with your only family member, a complete sweetheart who would have done anything for you. Instead you belittled her. You hurt her and for that I give you this one final warning. If you ever try to contact Alicia, try to talk to her, make any kind of contact with her whatsoever, my brothers and I will personally see to it that you go to jail for a very long time.”
Alvin looked at him like he didn’t believe a word he said. Max raised one of his eybrows at him. He grabbed the front of Alvin’s shirt in a fist and looked down into the weasel’s eyes. He was shaking.
“You think I’m bluffing? Let’s just say my brothers and I have connections, and we may or may not have documented proof of you laundering money, cashing fake checks and stealing and using credit cards. So I suggest you disappear. Because if you ever set foot in Chance, in any surrounding states near South Carolina, my brothers and I will personally deal with you. Alicia is our woman, we love her and we will do anything and everything possible to keep her safe and happy. You got it?”
Max asked as he abruptly released the front of Alvin’s shirt.
Alvin nodded his head.
“Now you can take out the trash.” Monroe told Taylor.
“My pleasure,” Taylor replied and took Alvin out of the waiting room and out of their sight.
Max exhaled then ran his hand over his mouth. He couldn’t wait to get to Alicia and to tell her that she didn’t have to worry anymore. He and his brothers with the help of friends in town and lawyers got the money back that Alicia deserved for selling her part of the business in Dallas. Her ex had conned her, and apparently her brother, who showed up at the hospital claiming to not know anything about Tony’s plans. However, further investigation into her brother Alvin proved that he was to get thirty percent of the two hundred thousand dollars Tony tried to take from Alicia. Now that money was in an escrow account for safe keeping until Alicia was ready to deal with it.
* * * *
The last three weeks had been difficult. Alicia was depressed and trying to work on healing her shoulder so she could prepare for the store opening. They’d postponed it until next week. The doctors said she was healing fine, but Max felt it was psychological with Alicia. Her abduction, assault, and being used and lied to by Tony and her own brother had gotten to her. Sometimes he would catch her staring off and wiping tears from her eyes. Their mom was a huge help, encouraging Alicia and making her feel like part of the family. Max knew it would take some time but he hoped she realized soon how none of the past mattered but only the future with them to love her, protect her, and be by her side. Maybe when they explained about the money she now had it would make her feel better and more independent?
“Max?” He heard his name and looked up from the desk in his office. Alicia was visiting him at work. He stood up immediately and got to her so fast she stepped back.
“Are you okay? Is anything wrong?” he asked, sliding his hands up and down her arms, ensuring she was in one piece.
She chuckled.
“Of course I am. Isn’t it safe here in your department?” she teased him.
He gave her a sideways glance and she smiled.
His brothers came in next.
“Hey, are you free for lunch?” Monroe asked, placing his hands on Alicia’s shoulders behind her.
“I can squeeze in lunch,” he said and walked back to his desk. He closed up the file and grabbed his keys.
He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and escorted her out of the office with his deputies and staff members giving well wishes and telling them to enjoy lunch. They had been so supportive to Alicia when she was in the hospital and weeks later as she recovered. If he ate any more pie he would need to eat only vegetables for a week.
He smiled as they headed outside.
“Where should we go? The diner?” Max asked.
“Fiona’s?” Monroe suggested and Alicia shook her head.
“Home. To our place,” she told them as she hugged Max’s side.
His heart raced with anticipation. Alicia had still been adjusting to living with them, but hearing her refer to home as hers, too, made him happy.
“I think we can salvage something to eat,” he teased.
“Are you kidding me? We still have dinners frozen and just this morning Margaret Stoll sent over a chicken casserole and homemade biscuits. I’m going to need to start increasing my miles jogging,” she said and they chuckled.
“You’re not the only one. I may be joining you,” Caldwell told her and hugged her side. They got into the truck and Monroe and Caldwell followed.
Max kept glancing at her as they drove.
