Page 122 of Devious Corruption

“Look. I didn’t think Marco was going to actually— fuck, I thought he was just saying shit.” His face is red. His eyes full of unshed tears. “I didn’t think they’d hurt you, Max. I swear. I thought he was full of it.”

“He wasn’t.”

“No.” He frowns, his gaze dropping to Keith laying lifeless only a few feet away.

Joey swallows, wipes his hand across his mouth as atear rolls down his cheek. The tension in his shoulders softens.

“He didn’t mean it, Max. What Keith said, he didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, he did.” I swallow back the pain. It’s not as sharp now, with Lev at my side, holding me.

He sucks in a deep breath and shakes his head, like he can shake off the last hour.

“What do we do now?” Joey asks, shuffling from one foot to another.

“We?” I tilt my head.

“Yeah, Max, what do we do, you and me? You’re not going to walk away without me, right? I mean…”

I look to Lev. His jaw tightens, his whole body stiffens, but he keeps silent.

I’ve wanted my brothers back since this whole thing started.

From across the room, I can see Elana squeezing her brothers’ hands so tight her knuckles are white. She betrayed them by dating Tony, and they’ve already forgiven her. They came in guns blazing and took out everyone who would have harmed her.

Lev laces his fingers through mine, a small gesture of support. Whatever I decide, he’ll stand behind me. He’ll stand with me.

“I’m not leaving here with you,” I say, my heart hurting as I speak. “I’m leaving with Lev.”

I turn up to look at Lev. “If that’s all right.”

Lev squeezes my hand harder. “Your place is with me, Maxine. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“Maybe a few more until it really settles in my brain.”

He pulls me close, kissing my temple. “I’ll tell you every day from now until forever. If that’s what you need, that’s what you’ll get.”

“But, Max, we’re family.” Joey reaches for me, but when Lev cuts a glare at him, he drops his hand. “You and me. We’re family.”

“Keith was right. I was just the girl stupid enough to hang around, hoping you’d see me as family if I did everything I could for you. But that’s not family.”

Joey swallows, his eyes fill with panic.

“No. Not to me. That’s not how it was. Max?—"

“I just— I need some time, Joey. Give me that, okay?”

It takes everything in me not to wrap my arms around him and promise everything is going to work out. I can’t take that responsibility on me. Not now. He has to stand on his own feet now.

Hurt washes over his expression, but he raises his chin. “Yeah. I can do that, Max.”

“Vas.” Lev calls.

Vas steps over.

“Take Joey here to his apartment, make sure he stays there.”

“You got it.” Vas grabs Joey’s arm and pulls him along.