Page 134 of Scarred Redemption

There was nothing quite as exciting as watching a powerful man in action.

Maxsim could hold my attention for hours while he handled acts of business, especially when so calm and collected, owning the room as soon as he’d walked inside.

Although I couldn’t deny I looked like a million bucks in my gorgeous new suit. I could afford it, along with just about anything I wanted. However, the lovely hand-tailored suit had been compliments of the man who’d saved my life. It would seem he enjoyed the shock and awe factor more than I’d realized, not telling anyone I would be joining the trust meeting with him.

“I cannot believe you’re safe,” Dr. Platt said as she hugged me.

“I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for the man right here.” I nodded toward Maxsim. He was standing against the wall, appearing calm and collected. I could sense his quiet fury just by the electricity his body gave off. Every muscle was humming from current.

Noticing the others were squirming, I had a feeling they would much rather be anywhere but here. The VP in particular was turning white as he studied Maxsim. I’d been brought up to speed with the people in the room I’d yet to meet, including Wenn Patterson. He’d been the first person Maxsim had called, a long-time business associate who used Black Diamond Logistics on a regular basis.

Plus, he and Maxsim carried the financial burden of the project. What the others had brought to the table was expertise but limited funds.

He was also someone who didn’t want to cross Maxsim as he had several skeletons in his closet. From what I’d been told, he was the person determined to vote Maxsim off the trust’s board of directors.

Through a little digging, Maxsim had discovered he owned a percentage of Stonewall Development and was about to end the trust. How? I wasn’t certain, but evidently there were default mechanisms that Wenn was hoping Maxsim would ignore.

A true snake in the grass, but he would be dealt with.

“Well, I’m glad you’re alright. I assume you’ll be returning to the project,” the doctor said.

“Absolutely. I’ve already been working on the plans already. A few changes will need to be made. Including with returning as the project manager. Bob Jenkins is not cut out for the job.”

She laughed. “I agree with you.”

“I’m glad that you’re safe, Ms. Dayne. However, we were about to have an important board meeting and given you’re not a member, I will need to ask you to leave.” Mr. Patterson was insistent.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Wenn,” Maxsim said quietly. “You’re going to be the one who leaves.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Then I’ll make it very clear for you. You’re going to resign effective immediately from the trust.” Maxsim kept his voice even, no emotion whatsoever.

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you have full intention of sabotaging this project. As a silent partner of the Stonewall Development, you’re doing everything in your power to have this project fail. That’s just not going to happen.”

“What?” Dr. Platt snapped. “Do you have proof?”

Maxsim tossed out a file he’d been holding. “Financial records. Private meetings with members of the building department. You see, he had plans on taking the money in the trust and using that for the development proposed by Stonewall. Now, while I’m certainly not against a lovely residential facility, you should know what you’re dealing with. And the development is a front for various sordid activities that I don’t need to go into. We all have our share of business opportunities, but this project is special to me and given my daughter had another cancer scare, nothing is going to stop this project from going forward.”

“What the hell?” Another member rose to his feet. “What the hell were you thinking, Wenn? This project is important to all of us.”

“You need my investment, Maxsim. As rich as you are and with the pittance of money offered by the other board members, you won’t be able to fund this project.” Wenn smiled as if he’d just won the round. “Plus, you really don’t want to challenge me, now do you?”

“Interesting how that sounds like a threat.”

“Call it a promise.”

Maxsim glanced in my direction. I offered my mischievous nod. He was enjoying the hell out of himself.

“That’s where you’re also wrong, Wenn. Now, I’m aware you and your Stonewall friends have been working with a broker for some very illegal activities. Branching out into the black-market diamond industry has its share of risks, which was why you were using a man holding a vendetta against me and my family. A win-win as far as you and your buddies were concerned. Here’s the thing. The man you know as the Butcher is dead. Since he was your bankroll, I think you’re going to find you’re now broke. So there won’t be any diamonds floating your way. Especially since your firm was attempting to crush a very lucrative business owned by the Saudis. From what I’ve heard, they are nasty people to deal with when crossed.”

I could barely contain a smile.

Wenn glanced at me then back to Maxsim. “You’re lying.”

“Check your bank accounts, Wenn. And that of the corporation’s as well. In addition,” Maxsim continued. “My lovely companion and architect just so happens to be interested in investing a large sum of money into the project. With her generous donation, I’m happy to say she’s matched what you initially had pledged. Which was one hundred million dollars, I believe. Coupled with my two hundred million as well as the fifty or so combined from everyone else, we’ll be in good shape.”