Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Do you think there some of that bad batch is still out there?” she asked.
“It could be,” Regent said carefully.
“And more could come in,” she muttered. “Hurting more people.”
“That’s true.” Regent nodded.
“And you want me to spy on him for you? Because of this bad batch of drugs?”
Regent frowned. “That thought had crossed my mind, but that was before.”
“Before what?” she asked.
“Bare feet. Pajamas. Knife,” Victor muttered.
Huh. Oh.
“You . . . you wanted to use me to spy on Dayton, but now you don’t because I helped Maxim?”
“When we told Maxim about Leeds’ possible involvement with the new drugs, he told us about you.”
“And he told us that there was no way he would involve you in this,” Victor said.
And the wound closed up further. He didn’t want to use her. Hadn’t used her.
“Maxim made it clear that he cared about you. A lot. And now we also know that you feel the same,” Regent explained. “We won’t be risking you.”
“Was he pulling away from me?” That’s how it had felt yesterday. And even though she’d tried to pretend otherwise, it had worried her.
“If Leeds is involved in bringing this new drug in and he sees you with Maxim that could endanger you,” Regent said carefully.
“Why? Why would it matter whether I’m with Maxim or not?”
“Because Maxim is a Malone.”
So? She still didn’t get it.
“She doesn’t get it,” Victor said, as though reading her thoughts.
“I can see she doesn’t,” Regent said gently. “Sweetheart, we’re not interested in Leeds simply because we’re worried about a bad batch of drugs.”
Well, she had thought it seemed a bit strange. But she’d figured it had something to do with a man dying at Maxim’s club. But now, that dark sense of foreboding was back.
“I don’t know if we should tell her this,” Victor said. “Maxim should tell her.”
Regent nodded.
“I need to know,” she insisted.
“No, Victor is right. This isn’t our place.”
“If I agree to spy on Dayton for you, will you tell me?” she asked.
Victor opened his mouth.
“Do not say it,” she warned him.
“She can’t,” Victor said to Regent.
“Of course not,” Regent replied. “I don’t think we should let her work for him anymore. Maxim wanted her away from him.”
“Agreed.”
What the heck? These guys were insane. This was obviously where Maxim got his bossiness from.
“Whoa. Wait, no. Not agreed. You guys can’t decide that. That’s my job and I’m not quitting.”
And what if Dayton is a drug dealer?
She swallowed heavily.
“It could be dangerous. I can’t allow that,” Regent told her seriously.
He couldn’t allow that?
Was he for real?
“I only just met you guys,” she pointed out.
“Bare feet. Pajamas. Knife,” Victor reminded her.
She sighed. “How has Gracen not smothered you in your sleep?” Then, she instantly regretted that. “Sorry, didn’t mean that.”
He grinned. “Yeah, you did.”
“I’m losing my mind.” She ran her hand over her face. She was done in, so exhausted that she could barely think. And all she wanted was to curl up next to Maxim and just listen to his heart beat.
To remind herself that he was alive.
“I’m not quitting my job just because you think Dayton is distributing drugs in the city.”
“You will if we think you’re in danger,” Regent said arrogantly.
Wow.
“Have you got a fiancée or wife?” she asked.
He looked surprised. “No.”
“Hmm. I can see why.”
Victor chuckled. “Yep. Definitely see why he likes you.”
Regent gave her a stern look. “Aston, you can’t work there anymore. It could be dangerous.”
“How? You don’t know that Dayton is guilty. And until you have proof, I don’t think it’s fair to vilify him.”
“And what if he is bringing in drugs that are killing people?” Regent countered. “What if he’s the one who sent men to hurt Maxim tonight?”
“What?” she whispered. “You think that Dayton is behind the attack on Maxim? Why would he be?”
“Because he might have heard that we’ve been trying to find out who is bringing Mixology into the city when we banned it,” Regent told her.
“Banned it? How can you ban it?” she asked in confusion.
He and Victor looked at one another.
Seriously. They were so frustrating.
“Dayton might have seen you with Maxim,” Regent added. “He might be worried that Maxim is using you to spy on him.”
She shook her head. He can’t have seen her with Maxim . . . right?
Though Gretchen might have seen them together that time Maxim picked her up. But would she mention it to her dad?
“He would have just fired me.” Wouldn’t he? “I doubt he knows I’m with Maxim. This is . . . we’re new.”
“You could be right,” Regent said carefully. “But if he’s panicking, he could act rashly. Therefore, you can’t be anywhere near him.”
“You really think Dayton could have sent men to attack Maxim?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Because he’s worried that you guys will discover that he’s brought in Mixology. Something you banned.”
“Yes. Maxim needs to explain the rest to you,” Regent told her.