Chapter 13

Thirteen

MAXIMILLIAN

It’s been a couple of weeks since Livia walked out of my bedroom and holed up in her fox den over on the west side. Both Derichs and I made full recoveries. Nothing was badly damaged, and I didn’t need surgery. We’d been sparring to keep up our strength, and occasionally the little fox would stop by for a tussle. Never the kind I wanted, though.

Things around Freidenberg Manor as well as the east side have been flourishing. The house is looking better every day, and its electrical and plumbing systems are finally modernized. Our motorcycle repair place, car wash, and body shop are all running smoothly. Strauss didn’t cause any problems for us, and Arianna has stayed safe behind the walls of our property or with Jakob, still working on getting our papa’s bike fixed.

The financial situation is looking good now that we’re stocked with all the handguns one could ever use, courtesy of Lavinio. He was pleased when I stopped by to bring him the baggie of ears. So much so, he told me I was his son, since he never had one. His men run the guns to ours in batches, a third going out to the Von Dovish clan and a third are sold to Donovan’s, despite his hatred of me. It’s a good income and funds us being able to get more weapons.

I don’t mind, as I want everyone armed. We all need to be if this is going to be a war. Strauss’s men haven’t interfered with the trade, so either they don’t know yet, or are waiting to ambush.

Fortunately, I haven’t had a run-in with the wolves since the casino. Hopefully, Ace won’t retaliate for clocking his necro. Maybe he forgives me, since I’m supplying the entirety of South Side with the renewed armories. After our rendezvous, it looks like my backup plan of having Arianna marry Ace to save her from Strauss may be out of the question, though.

“And then you turn this like this,” Wyatt Steele says, my eyes melded to his hands like he’s my next prey. This man has apparently been getting close to Ari, Jakob informed me. Guy’s been running the shop and is not part of any clan, but he’s a good mechanic. I let him stay on, but I thought I should pay him a visit. Let him know where it’s appropriate to keep his hands…and where it’s not.

Arianna twists back and forth on the little stool next to him, studying his instructions like she’s asked for a milkshake at a soda bar. She told me he’s teaching her how to work on her bike. I don’t like him. And she can’t be with him. He’s not in a family and doesn’t carry a name.

A faded snake inked along the back of his neck twists into an impossible position as he turns his head to stare at Ari until my throat catches in a protective growl. When I pretend to clear it to mask the noise, Wyatt sits up straight. Dude is big, about my size, and covered in gang tattoos from his crew. A few of them lean on the walls in the garage, with their leather coats flouting the patches showcasing their own family of sorts. I’ve seen them ride together through East Side. All the unaffiliated motorcycle gangs usually have their own hangouts away from the clans on the outskirts of town.

The only thing clean about Wyatt is the high and tight cut of his light brown hair. His affiliation and clothing aren’t what make me mistrust the guy. It’s his eyes. They’re small, narrow, and very light blue. The two beads are also always scowling whenever he looks at anyone…except for my little sister.

“Hey, man. Didn’t see you come in.” He also calls me “man.” Disrespectful. I hold back from telling him so as is my right.

“Yep.” I suppress myself from popping the ‘p’. “Ari, get in the car.”

Arianna’s golden face shines up at me, her big brown eyes pleading. “But Wyatt was just teaching me to⁠—”

Gritting my teeth to keep myself from lashing out with claws, I command her, “In the car, Arianna. Now.”

Huffing, she stands and gathers her stuff, muttering complaints under her breath the entire time. Both the mechanic and I watch her leave, but I’m making sure she’s doing what she’s told. Wyatt’s checking out the view. Once she clears the area, I lower my voice. “I’d be real fucking careful with how close you’re getting to her.”

Without even looking at me, he returns to his task with a socket wrench, the grinding of it fraying my last nerve. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

“’Cause it looks like you need to use your arms.”

His bass voice laughs without any joy behind it as he turns his deep-set eyes on me. “Big brother protective vibe. I dig it.” Standing, he starts tossing his tools in a box along a bench as his buddies continue to smoke and gossip nearby. Wyatt’s back muscles twitch underneath his tight-ass T-shirt as he says, barely turning his head, “Need a new shipment, boss. Already sold out of what we had.”

“Oh?” This half surprises me.

“Yeah, got my boys to run it all over the city. Seems to be working out that way.” Finishing up his sorting, he turns back to face me, crossing his legs and arms as he leans against a workbench to light up a cigarette. Taking a big drag in, he says, “Strauss’s guys can’t keep up with our bikes.”

Licking my bottom lip, I force myself to tell him the truth. “That’s smart.” And it is. I just hate that the idea and work ethic came from him.

Blowing out smoke, then following it with his eyes, he surmises, “Smart enough to earn a date with Arianna Freidenberg?”

This guy has steel balls. Part of me wants to whip out my blade and cut him right here. Just one long trip across his fucking throat, but he’s good. He just sold our entire inventory faster than anyone. I need him, and he knows it. “What’s your interest in my little sister?”

“I’ve gotten to know her over the last few weeks.” Squeezing his eyes to be almost non-existent, he nods his head to Jakob over my left shoulder and stamps out his cigarette on the ground. “He can attest. Never laid a fucking finger on her. I wouldn’t. But we understand each other. I’m into her.” He swallows, and it’s the first time I see a hint of vulnerability, his clear blue eyes finally meeting mine solidly. “A lot.”

“Hate to tell you, son, but you understand we live in Gnarled Pine, right? She’s a Freidenberg, and you’re…not someone she can be with. So, if you can’t marry her and make her respectable, that means you only have vulgar intentions.” My hands are on my hips like I’m the warden, but really, I’m ready to fucking hit him at the slightest provocation.

His large shoulders shrug. “No. I want to show her a different world. One where anyone can be with anyone they choose. That’s what I want.”

Shaking my head, a sarcastic chuckle escapes, letting him know what he’s saying is a complete joke. “My answer is no.” Walking toward the garage door, I turn to him one last time. “And keep your distance.”

When I get in the car with Jakob, Arianna twists in the passenger seat and bounces with energy. “I don’t understand why you’re so rude to him. He’s a good man.”

Catching her childlike gaze, I tell her firmly. “Arianna, I don’t want you coming over here again.”

“But—”

“That’s final.” I eye Jakob in the rearview mirror and his bald head nods once, taking the words as his command.

As I gun the engine and head toward the manor, Arianna’s little shoulders shake as she sobs. Jakob hands her a handkerchief, which she uses to blot at her eyes and blow her nose loudly. I can’t stand her tears, and I know she’s been through a lot, but she can’t be with someone like Wyatt. “It’s for the best, Ari. He’s not good enough for you.”

Long brunette hair flips around wildly as she glares at me across the car. “Who is good enough, Maxi?”

My hands grip the steering wheel tighter. If I could take away her pain, I would. “No one, but definitely not him.”

Her jaw flops open in outrage. “Shouldn’t I be the judge of that?”

“Arianna, you didn’t have Papa and Mama telling you about these things. It’s up to me to guide you, to look out for you.” Calum Von Dovish pops into my mind. Perhaps he could…nah. The man’s a pacifist, and I think he may be going mad. We should eat dinner with them, though. It would give me the opportunity to scope things out between the two. See if they hit it off.

Throwing hands up dramatically, she cries, “I’ll die an old maid!”

“No, you won’t. I will find someone suitable for you.” She settles back in her seat, crossing her arms and not daring to look in my direction again. Lavinio called me his son; it’s too bad he doesn’t have one for Arianna. Gnarled Pine Hollow is too small for us.

Before my young sister gets hitched, I need to get started on making “cubs,” as Livia called them, continuing the legacy. Thinking about impregnating the little fox makes my dick thicken inside my jeans.

Speaking of, as we pull through the gates and to the house, a familiar Aston Martin Victor shines in the sunlight, parked near the fountain. Leaning against the driver’s door is the dark seductress, looking like pure sin and pleasure. My heart rate picks up at the sight of her.

Arianna leaps out of the car and runs to her as soon as I park, throwing her arms around Livia in a tight embrace. Despite avoiding me, the two have been talking over the last few weeks and have become, dare I say, close friends. It irks me for some unknown reason.

No, I know the reason. It’s because they gang up on me, and Ari doesn’t seem to mind as well after she talks with the Von Dovish sister.

“Maxi says I can’t date anyone!”

Livia’s golden eyes sparkle at me over my sister’s shoulder, little creases in the corners lifting in a smile. “He’s a fucking brute. I’ll kick his ass for you.” She gives me a wink before I can ask her to roughhouse with me in the basement gym. Her presence here at the house makes me calm, yet excited at the same time. I’m growing dependent on her visits.

Arianna sniffs and wipes her nose. “Thank you. Are you here for me, or him?”

“Him, unfortunately, but I’ll come have dinner with you after.” She tucks a piece of hair behind Ari’s ear.

Arianna heads off into the house, but I stop her. “Ari, we’re going to have dinner with the Von Dovishes tonight. Clean up.” With a sigh, she nods, then goes inside.

Taking a drink of poison, I let my eyes scope out Livia’s body. Her teases over the last few weeks have left me sick with blue balls. I’m about to head to the Crimson Angel to bust my nut if she doesn’t show any sort of green light. Walking over to her, I pin her against her car with my body. Leaning my full weight on her, chest to breast, I plant my arms on either side of her head.

Lowering my voice to its deepest, I ask, “What’s good, foxy?”

“I came about another meeting.” Blinking heavily, her hazel eyes don’t dare to meet my face.

“You can come for something else, if you want.”

She snorts and presses her palms on my pecs, but doesn’t push hard. “Don’t be lewd, Max. This is business.”

Diving into her neck, I sniff a long column up to her ear, gathering up her amber and vanilla scent. A sharp inhale into her mouth swishes by my ear as she holds her breath. “Your body is my business. Let me eat your cunt again. I’m fucking starving for a little fox tail. Give me that flower.”

With a full exhaled laugh, she finally shoves me away. “Behave. This is serious.”

As I take a step back, I grab her hand and tug her with me toward the pond at a slight jog.

“What are you doing?” she squeals, like when she would get mad during a water balloon fight in the summers.

My face broadens into a large smile as I yearn to relive those memories, or maybe just that carefree, safe feeling. I miss it and it seems to be one I have the most whenever she’s around. “Remember the old swing? I made them fix it.”

“No, Max. I don’t-I don’t want to.” Digging her heels into the grass, she tries to slow our progress, but I tug on her harder until she has to follow.

“Come on!”

When we reach the old oak, I swing her around to the round wooden bench seat and Livia reluctantly gets on, straddling the rope. It’s new and sturdy. Last week, I sneaked and tried it when no one was looking, almost going for a dive in the pond, but it’s too cold for that now. With my hand pressed into her back, I give her a big shove, and she goes flying over the water with a shrieking laugh, a beaming smile lighting up her face. It’s exactly the one she made when we were young. And suddenly I know why she was resistant to trying this again.

Bittersweet. That’s what this is. My chest tightens, remembering those golden days, and a lump forms in the back of my throat until it’s hard to swallow. I miss my mama and papa, my friends, a time that was so simple and carefree.

Our parents never let us know the battles that were waged outside of our high walls, but now I see it. Things aren’t safe. Maybe they never were, but I want to create that for future generations. Gripping the rope, I pull her to a stop.

“I want to go again!” The giggles continue until she sees my face. Dismounting, she crashes her full body into mine, wrapping her arms around my waist in a tight squeeze. “It’s okay. It’s okay, lion.” And like she can read my mind, she chimes in, “There’ll be new memories. We can make new ones.” With a wave of her arm, she showcases the land in front of us, but it’s hard to see with heavy eyes. “Look, this place is turning out beautiful. Better than it was before.”

Nestling my face into her mohawk tail, I nuzzle her neck and embrace her, using her body for comfort. Seeking solace, I move to press my lips to hers, but she bends her forehead so they are out of reach. We hold there. Both our heads held together, mind to mind, exchanging air into each other’s mouths.

Quietly, my voice drops as I breathe the words between her parted lips. “Come on, Livia. It makes sense for us to be together. Who you gonna get with? Ace? Strauss? Some asshole mafia prince?” Desperation erupts in my whisper as I plead, “Be with me.”

Still attached, she squeezes her eyes shut and shakes her head. Fuck, I hate that I want her so badly. Her presence in my life is becoming a need. I don’t even want to think about how much. I’m getting tired of this. I drop my hold on her and take two steps back, cracking my jaw.

“Fine.” I sigh. “What’s this business you came about?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest, trying to hide the annoyance in my tone.

Swiping at her eyes with her thumbs, she gathers up some wet substance. It couldn’t be tears. This raven obviously doesn’t have emotions, that’s for sure. Swallowing deeply, she sniffs, her voice cracking. “Um, we have another meeting. This one in Cliff Harbor with Tony ‘Nickle Eye.’ I think he’s Russian. Echoes says he has a penchant for jewels. He has rifles, fully automatics. We need those.”

I give her a small nod as I roll a rock under my shoe, then kick it. “Yeah, okay, when?”

“Tomorrow night, which is why I motored over here so quickly when I found out. We need to get on the road early if we’re going to make it by then. He wants to see us at his lake house. Alone, of course. He specifically requested me.”

I don’t like the sound of that. “Why?”

“Not sure.” Her eyebrows raise as she tries to catch my eyes, her bottom lip rolling under her teeth. At least she’s smart to be nervous.

“Okay, let me inform my people and we’ll get set up.” We turn toward the house.

“Max.”

I get the sense she’s going to apologize for being such a fucking ice freeze on my balls. I don’t want to hear her excuses. She’s not a lesbian; it’s apparent she likes the D. Maybe she has someone on the outside of the city. If so, I’ll kill him. Simple, easy, clean.

“I’m inviting your brother and you to dinner. Stay. We’ll have some wine, steaks. Despite how mean she is, Mrs. Kroft makes amazing spätzle.”

“Yeah, okay.” She threads a hand through mine to slow my steps. “Max.” I stop and turn to her, meeting her gaze. Those honey eyes could have me falling to my knees. “You really are doing amazing things here. It’s all coming together.”

“Thanks.” Looking at her hand in mine, I reluctantly fling it off, then walk inside, pulling out my phone to call Cal. He agrees to come over and I busy myself in my office with the doors locked while Livia heads upstairs to Arianna’s room.

The paperwork pile is slowly dissipating after weeks of working on it. Still feeling low from my reveries, I sit at my desk, staring at the various piles without even really seeing them. The crackling fire soothes some of my dejection, as does the sound of Markus in the corner, shuffling through old books. Texts of the Freidenberg history, I’m told.

Moving toward me while cleaning his glasses, he points to a smaller pile of papers on my desk with the earpiece of his horn rims. “You may want to look at those.”

Blinking, my vision clears as I look to where he’s aiming. “What are they?”

“Your mother and father’s will.”

My jaw tightens just thinking about that. Between the swing with Livia, fond memories of childhood, and this…I don’t feel like revisiting that pain again today. The pile stares back at me like it wants to stab me with paper cuts of the past.

“There’s something important in there.” Marcus slides his glasses on and nods with encouragement toward the folder.

Taking a big inhale, I pull out the first document: The Last Will and Testament of Gerald Leon and Mari Lynn Freidenberg. Even the ink on the page hurts to look at, but there it is in black and white.

“I thought the will from the estate reading was final. Why do I need to go over it again?” Eight years ago, listening to the lawyer read off the words was excruciating enough. Even though I knew I had been gifted a large property, all I wanted was my parents. I’d had given anything to have them back. I don’t give a fuck about wealth or this estate. The only reason I care now is because I feel closer to them by taking part in the legacy. And I want to provide a life for Arianna and the people here of East Side, my people. Carrying on the legacy of Freidenbergs is also in those cards so they have someone to look out for them when I’m gone.

Markus runs his hands through his white frazzled hair. As he does, his flannel shirt lifts, revealing his gut hanging above his belt. “Uh, well, we, uh, had the lawyers look at this one. It was found by the workers in the attic, hidden in a trunk. It’s more recent than what was read after the funeral.”

My brow furrows. “Is that legal?”

“Well…there’s only one change. One paragraph difference. And the lawyer says, yes. This one is the correct one.”

No. I’ve already lived through the trauma of my parents’ deaths, and this piece of paper is just a reminder of that day. Thinking of them, kind, loving, and warm, talking with their lawyer about what to leave me and Arianna in case they died? It makes that dull ache in my heart a full-blown piercing stab. Getting rejected by Livia was a pain on its own, but this is just overkill.

“I can’t deal with this today, Markus. I thought I could, but…I’ll try later.”

Markus nods slowly. “Okay, Max. I wouldn’t let it sit too long, though.”

“I have dinner to eat. The Von Dovishes are joining us and…honestly, I’m curious to see what kind of a match Arianna and Cal would make.”

A dramatic cough cuts through the dull air as Markus throws his head back with surprise. “I don’t think-I don’t think they would make a good pair, Max. Arianna’s, um, very spirited. I’m not sure their tempers would mesh. And I’m don’t think your parents would have wanted that, either.”

Oh. Hmm. I hadn’t considered what Papa would want for Arianna… “Yeah, you’re right, I suppose. I did think of Ace, but he’s probably going to kill her now instead of marrying her.” Pushing the rolling chair back from the desk, I stand. “Make sure the rest of security sticks with her. Between Strauss, Ace, and that fucking kid at the motorcycle shop, Wyatt, I just don’t have a good feeling about her safety.”

“Absolutely. Jakob is already on high alert.”

We head into the living room as our butler, Fritz, escorts Cal from the foyer. When he does, Fritz stumbles and almost falls over the step up to the dining room. He’s elderly, so it seems I end up caring for him more than him for the house, but I don’t mind it. Hopefully, he can spend his last days fixing up the indoor garden he loves so much. Catching his arm, Cal reaches for him to help steady his back. “Excuse me, sir. So sorry.”

“It’s alright, Fritz. Tell Mrs. Kroft we’re ready.” Grasping Cal’s hand, we pull each other in for a half hug. “Hey, glad you made it.”

“Yeah, Max, but I said we should eat at our place. Figured yours was still worse for wear, but everything is tip top!” With a weird grin on his face, his pupils are blown out into black circles. Maybe he’s been sampling too much of his product. Motioning to the table, we sit in the high-backed velvety cushioned chairs as Arianna and Livia enter, Arianna’s face now fresh, without a trace of puffy redness.

Cal stands and goes over to Arianna, and they hug, greeting each other for the first time in twenty years. “It’s lovely to see you again, Arianna.”

“Thank you. You as well.” She’s doing her polite smile, and Cal barely looks at her, his eyes scanning the tall candelabras standing around the edges of the gold room. Maybe he’s gay. I never thought to ask. My sister’s an incredibly beautiful woman, and most men can’t keep their eyes off her. Not Cal. Taking a seat across from Arianna, he sits next to his twin sister while I command the head of the table.

“Well, thanks for coming.” Mrs. Kroft enters and announces the first dish, a cucumber and tomato salad.

“I appreciate the invitation, Max, I do. But…” Livia places her hand on Cal’s arm to stop him. Giving her a subtle glance, he meets my gaze with his hazel eyes that match hers. “But I don’t appreciate the trade you’ve started back in the city. Nor my sister’s involvement. I think it’s only going to cause strife and bring more attention from Strauss.”

“I disagree,” I say, and Livia nods.

“I’m sure you do. But look at what happened with Ace. We’ve had a somewhat amicable peace between us for several years, but now that’s gone. One of his lackies attacked one of ours earlier this week. Things are going to get hot, and I don’t like it. I’m begging you…” He pauses and looks at Livia, then me. “Both of you, to stop.”

“Strauss could kill us all at any time he chooses. I won’t stop. I’m sorry, Cal, and I hope this doesn’t mean we have a problem.”

Cal sighs heavily and shakes his head. “Not at all. I just wanted to say what I had to say, and that’s it. I’ve said the same to my sister for years, but she won’t listen, either. You never have, Max. I understand that. I know you. We’re brothers. There won’t be any bad blood between us. I just wish it were different.” He takes a sip of water, and I let relief wash over me. At least I have the Von Dovishes on my side. “Now, I’ve said everything, and I’m done. You know where I stand. That’s not going to change.” Taking a small bite, he says quickly, “This salad is amazing.”

“It is,” says Livia without even tasting it, clearly wanting to change the subject as much as her brother.

Arianna looks bored, staring into her lap. Is she— “Arianna, do you have a phone at the table?”

She looks up from the table, her eyes wide. “Um, sorry. I was just looking stuff up.”

Snapping my fingers, I open a palm toward her. “Let me see.”

A sharp breath exhales through her nose. “Max, no. I’m a grown adult. No.”

“Let me see it, Arianna. Now.” The entire room quiets when I slam my fist on the table. Since when did she start disobeying me? If she’s choosing now of all times to do so, she has another thing coming… I’ll lock her up if I must just to keep her safe.

“Max, don’t,” Livia pleads with a quiet tone. Meeting her bright golden eyes, she shakes her head, the tail of her hair falling behind her shoulder. “Don’t, Max. Let’s enjoy our dinner.”

Ugh, these two are now thick as thieves. “Do you know what she’s looking up?”

Sticking her chin out, Livia answers boldly, “Yes.”

I gasp. “She could be in danger.” And the fox doesn’t even seem to give a shit.

“Max, we’re always in danger. All the time. It’s fine. It’s girl stuff, and you don’t need to worry about it. Leave it alone.”

Mrs. Kroft enters with our main course, and the smell of the steaks almost has me forgetting my anger. “Fine, just put away the phone at the table.” Girl stuff. Maybe it’s about tampons or something. Better not be about birth control or babies or some shit like that. She’s too young.

The rest of the meal is peaceful as Cal and I catch up on some funny stories from our youth, brightening the earlier doom I felt with Livia. He’s still mad that Ace and I hid behind the coffins to scare him.

When we wish the Von Dovish clan a good night, Livia tells me she’ll be by early the next day. By then, I’ve forgotten about Arianna’s phone and whoever she may be communicating with.