Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I cut in, fighting back a huge grin. “It’s been great catching up. Kimba, I’m sure we’ll connect about the campaign now that things have settled down.”
“Yes,” she says, still smirking. “I think we’ll save The View until after Owen announces.”
“Fine with me. Just coordinate with Jin Lei to make sure I’m in the country.”
“Good seeing you again,” Vivienne says, reaching up to hug me. “You guys are still adorable together.”
She turns to Lennix, and tears gather in her eyes. “Oh, Lenn, I’m so glad you’re home. It would have been like losing my sister and my brother.”
Lennix nods, blinking at the tears rimming her lower lashes. “Love you, Viv. I’ll be in New York with Owen soon, and I want to see my niece.”
“She would love to see Aunt Lin Lin.” Vivienne turns toward her brother. “You coming, Wall?”
“Uh, yeah.” He stands and slides the book back into its home on the shelf. “In a little bit. I need to chat with Lenny first.”
I tense at Lennix’s side and fold my arms across my chest. If he thinks I’m leaving the room, he’s deeply confused.
“Good,” he says once Kimba and Vivienne leave. “You’re staying, Maxim.”
I look at him, unblinking, waiting for what he has to say.
“What’s up, Wall?” Lennix asks, her brows knitting in that tender way she seems to reserve for this particular friend. I know it’s not a romantic way, but it’s closeness. And I want to be closer to her than anyone else, so it bugs me.
“Maxim,” he says, looking at me and swallowing convulsively like I scare him. “I think we got off on the wrong foot.”
“Oh, you do?” I ask, cocking one brow. “How so?”
“I sense a certain…hostility, and I can only assume it’s because you know Lenny and I used to date, and you were under the mistaken impression when you first came back that she and I were—”
“That’s not why I’m hostile.” I slide my hands into my pockets, deliberately relaxing my posture. “Maybe when I thought you were still dating I didn’t like you, but you’re right. I’m angry with you now.”
His expression clouds. “What? Why? If we—”
“At Owen’s house, at dinner, I asked you outright if this trip was safe, and you told me it was. You said you would never do anything to put Lennix in danger.”
“Doc, come on,” Lennix says. “You can’t—”
“I can.” I don’t look away from Wallace. “I’ll never trust you with her again.”
“Obviously I feel awful about what happened,” he says. “But how could I have known about the kidnappers?”
“I’m not saying it was your fault. But I’m very exacting about her safety in a way that you don’t know how to be.”
“You can’t be serious.” Lennix laughs, but there’s more outrage than humor in it. “You’re exacting about my safety? What does that even mean?”
“I told you there’s a broader conversation we need to have,” I tell her, keeping my voice even. “And it does not concern Wallace, except for him to know he will never be in charge of your safety again.”
“He was not in charge of my safety in Costa Rica. I’m in charge of myself.”
“How’d that work out for you?” I ask.
“I’m not a child you tell to look both ways before I cross the street, Maxim. I’m a grown woman.”
“My woman, and that shit show from last week won’t happen again.”
“Look,” Wallace says, “this is between the two of you, but we’ll be extra careful on our next service trip if you’d just—”
My laughter cuts in on his stupid words. “Next service trip? What part of ‘never again’ do you not understand, Dr. Murrow?”
“Talk to me,” Lennix says. “I’m the one who decides if I go on another service trip.”
“I’m not saying you won’t,” I tell her with a shrug. “I’m saying I’ll be involved because I don’t trust anyone else to keep you safe.”
“I’m gonna leave now.” Wallace walks toward the door.
“Excellent idea,” I say.
Lennix angles a chastising look over her shoulder at me while she walks Wallace out.
“When do you go back to work?” she asks him.
“Tomorrow.” He squeezes the bridge of his nose. “It’s weird because they didn’t have to pay anything to get me back and didn’t lose the vaccine. It’s like nothing happened. Nothing’s changed.”
“Have they informed the FDA yet?” I ask.
“Not yet.” His eyes meet and then skid away from mine.
“Well, let’s hope your company’s rat doesn’t blow any whistles or link up with another psycho and try to steal the vaccine. I don’t have to tell you how powerful and dangerous something like that would be in the wrong hands.”
“Agreed,” Wallace says. “I’m pushing for them to hand it over, but these things take time.”
“Don’t take too much time,” I say, warning with a look. “I know about this now. I have no deniability if it comes out. Get your boss to do the right thing, or I will.”