Page 77 of Devious Corruption

“But Nicolette?—”

“Is my sister, it’s different.”

“Don’t let him bully you, Max.” Nicolette laughs. “He only has the power you give him.”

“I think we’ve had a long enough chat,” I say to my sister, who’s looking every bit the little brat she’s been since I took over raising her at the age of thirteen.

“Hey. You called me. I was merely sitting over here enjoying my afternoon coffee.” She takes a long sip of her cappuccino with a wicked grin.

“I can always have you dragged back home.” I reach around Maxine toward the keyboard. “You’re never too far away for that.”

“I know, I know.” She rolls her eyes. “There’s nowhere in the world you don’t have reach.”

“I think she’s heard the threat before.” Maxine mutters.

“You two together is a bad idea. We need to get going; we’re going over to Alexander’s.”

“Alexander? No, you said I was going to see Vee. She’s at Ivan’s.” Maxine argues, apprehension settling in her tone.

I squeeze her hip.

“Yes, they’re going to be there, too.”

“Well, tell Megan and Elana I said hi.” Nicolette smiles warmly. “I have a lot of work this week, so I’ll call you on Thursday when I get a break.”

Almost a week before I’ll hear from her again, but that’s all right. My men will be reporting back to me about her safety.

“That’s fine. Remember, the additional men will be arriving this afternoon.”

She waves her hand in front of her face. “Fine, whatever, but if they cause any trouble, Lev, I’m calling you right away and you’ll send them away.”

“You’ll do what they say to do for your safety, Nicolette or you’ll be on your way home before you can blink.”

“Lev.” She gives me a stone hard look. One she’s learned from me over the years and has perfected.

It doesn’t work on me, though.

“If they’re in your way, you call me, and I’ll take care of it. But you do what they say in the meantime. I’m serious.”

“I’m sorry, Nicolette. This is my fault.” Maxine leans closer to the screen, making her ass press harder into me.

I squeeze her hip, willing her to stay still. I’m getting dangerously close to my limit. Another movement from her, and I’ll have her damn jeans down and her ass bent over. FaceTime call or not.

“No, no worries, Max. You know him. Overbearing, overprotective. An overall pain in the ass.” Nicolette assures her. Then with a more serious tone she says, “It’s not your fault.”

“Of course it’s not.” I agree. “Now say goodbye.”

Nicolette huffs. “Okay, bye!”

I strike the key, cutting off the call and sending the screen into darkness.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye.” Maxine twists in my lap to complain.

“Did you take another shower?” I touch the edges of her hair, they’re still damp.

“I had to.” She lowers her eyes to my chin. “I…I smelled like you.”

“And you washed it away?” I like the idea of her wearing my scent. I like the idea a fucking lot.