Page 19 of Max

I ignored the compliment and carried on.

“After, I’m going to check up on Valeria. And after all of that, I’m going to the warehouse to see for myself what the hell is going on there,” I paused.

“And then what?” Melanie inquired.

“Then, I’m going to call the police and tell them everything I know. I’ll be here as they do what they have to do to put Nico away for a very long time. After all of that, I’m going to look for a house. And then, I’m going to make that house my home that no one will ever be able to take it away from me.”

“I have only one question?”

“Yes?”

“What about Max?”

My mouth went dry at the mere mention of his name. How could that be? I didn’t get it.

How could I have such a strong reaction to a man I didn’t even know?

“Max,” I breathed. “Max is for later.”

“Will there be a later?” Melanie pushed.

“Yes,” I simply said.

“Good,” Melanie whispered. She understood the magnitude of that one word. “Now, I only have one request.”

After I brought my hand, palm up, and indeed, she continued.

“I’m with you every second of that plan. I’ll never leave your side.”

I could feel my face go soft, and my eyes watered.

“Thank you.”

All night I tossed and turned, counting down the minutes to the sunrise. I kept questioning everything. I recited the things Nico did to me over the years. I remembered the fear he instilled. I remembered the countless attempts trying to please him, to make him love me. I remembered the pure desperation in trying to love him. All night I was assuring myself that I was strong. I could do anything I wanted. I could lead a life I desired. I could fight for myself. And all night, I wished that I believed all that. So, it was with a tired groan that I climbed out of bed when the sky was still pink with dawn breaking. I rushed to the bathroom for my morning routine, my hands shaking the whole time with adrenaline and utter uncertainty.

After a silent coffee shared with an equally buzzing Melanie, I walked out of that hotel room with my head held high. It was only because of a promise I made to myself in the dark of the night. I would have everything, and in the end, I would do anything to have Max.

On my way out of the hotel, I called Kiki. She didn’t answer so I left her a message saying where I’d be and to tell her parents I was fine. By mid-morning, I was beyond exhaustion, but most of my clients were notified that I wouldn’t be able to get the job done in time.

And most of them decided to stick with me. The few that didn’t, I understood their reasoning. They were on a schedule that couldn’t be broken. I gave them referrals and got promises that they would reach out when they had a new project. We were working in silence for hours. Melanie left to get something for lunch, and I tried calling Kiki again.

And again, no answer.

I wondered if there was any chance that Nico took her but quickly tossed that idea to the side. Those two couldn’t stand each other. They couldn't be in the same room for five minutes before they were at each other’s throats. Their hostility went so far that Nico even tried to forbid me from inviting Kiki to the wedding. Until his mother stepped in. That was the first and only time she took my side. No, there was no chance Nico took her to get back at me. It was more than likely she was bored and decided to go partying. Still, I felt a tiny bit scared for my cousin. It wasn’t unheard of for her to disappear. Given the situation, I didn’t like it.

After a quick break for lunch, and me failing to get Kiki on the line again, we went back to work. I knew Melanie didn’t like Kiki, in fact for the last year or so, she couldn’t stand the sight of her, but she didn’t say anything whenever I tried to call her or mentioned her name, wondering where she was. It was getting late, I was bone-tired, and there was a huge thing left to do. That being, going to the warehouse and face what was going on there. I was stalling, and moseyed around the office with nothing left to do.

“Babe, you don’t have to do this,” Melanie said, standing by the door for the last fifteen minutes watching me move the same box for the tenth time. “We can just call the cops and let them handle it.”

“And what would I say?” I snapped. “Hi, officer? I need your help.” Melanie watched silently as I rambled sarcastically. “You see, two days ago, I left my fiancé at the altar. I didn’t really love him. I just wanted to have someone to spend my life with. He was abusive, but I was so lonely, I was willing to turn a blind eye to everything. What I didn’t know was that everything included some really bad stuff. As in, illegal. As in dangerous. Later that day, I learned that he was dealing. He was doing it out of my warehouse, where I store couches, chairs, and paintings for my clients. And not just drugs. No, not Nico,” I took a breath. Melanie opened her mouth but didn’t get a chance to say anything as I continued. “Apparently he’s the scum of the earth. He deals in everything, including women. Oh, how I learned that you ask?” I smiled a cold smile, not taking my eyes of a now concerned Melanie. “You see, a guy that is so hot, so beautiful and so out of my league told me so. He also informed me that everyone knows just who Nico Barone is. It’s only me who didn’t have a clue. Do I have any evidence of this? Well, just a word of a really great guy and my best friend, who kept her mouth shut for almost five years.”

“Sky,” Melanie whispered, while looking like I slapped her. “I’m-”

“Yeah, Mel, I know,” I said.

My breath came in spurts, and I was tired. I was done with it all. All I wanted to do was go to Max, make him allow me to design his house, and just be.

“I promise you; I know you are. And I forgive you. I do. It’s just-” I trailed off, not finding the words.