Chapter 107: Bad News Travels Fast

Chapter 107: Bad News Travels Fast
Valerie nodded, then followed Max as he helped her out of the trade hall. His hand rested lightly on her back as they moved past the crowd. They moved down a quiet hallway, the noise of the convention fading behind them.
Max opened the door to an unused conference room and ushered her inside. The room was small, a storage space with stacked chairs and a folding table, lit by a single fluorescent bulb.
Valerie turned to him, eyebrows arched. “You could’ve just handed me the phone.”
As soon as the door clicked shut, Max turned the lock and faced her. He stood close enough that she could see the irritation in his eyes.
“You enjoy that, don’t you?” he said. “Watching me watch you.”
She crossed her arms. “Maybe?”
“And what the hell was that?”
Valerie crossed her arms, leaning against the table. “What was what? I was networking.”
“Networking?” Max stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. “You were practically inviting that guy to plan your weekend.”
She raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Jealous, Max?”
He closed the distance between them, his hands braced on the table on either side of her, caging her in without touching. “You’re playing games, Val. Flirting with every suit in that room just to get a rise out of me.”
Her smile widened, unrepentant. “Is it working?”
Max’s gaze darkened, and he leaned in, his lips grazing her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “You drive me insane.”
“Max, we have to go back…they’ll look for me.”
But he just smiled as his right hand slid to her waist, fingers tracing the edge of her tailored pants, pausing at the zipper. He tugged it down slowly.
“You’re not the only one who can play,” he murmured.
Valerie’s breath caught, but she held his gaze, her chin lifting slightly. “You think you can just drag me in here and—what? Teach me a lesson?”
Max’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. “Oh, I’m going to do more than that.” His fingers slipped beneath the fabric of her pants, brushing the soft skin of her lower abdomen, teasingly light, barely grazing her. He watched her face, noting the way her lips parted, the faint flush creeping up her neck.
“Max…”
“You like pushing me, don’t you?” he said, his fingers circling slowly just above where she wanted them. “All those guys out there, smiling, leaning in too close, and you’re eating it up just to see how far I’ll go.”
Her hands gripped the edge of the table as she tried to keep her composure. “Maybe I just like having your attention,” she said, her eyes locked on his, daring him to keep going.
“Yeah?” Max’s left hand moved to her jaw, his thumb brushing her lower lip while his right hand dipped lower, his fingers finally finding her, teasing her through the thin fabric of her underwear.
She gasped, her hips twitching involuntarily.
“You want my attention, Val? You have it. Every damn second.” His fingers moved, light and teasing, tracing slow patterns that made her breath hitch. He leaned closer, his lips hovering over hers, not kissing her, as his fingers pressed just a little harder, circling.
Valerie’s eyes fluttered, her body arching slightly into his touch, but she bit her lip, trying to hold onto her control.
“Big talk for a bodyguard,” she managed, her voice breathy.
Max’s smile widened, his thumb pressing gently against her lip before sliding to her cheek, holding her face so she couldn’t look away.
“Keep talking, sweetheart,” he said, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric now, skin against skin. He moved slowly at first, his touch featherlight, teasing her with agonizing restraint, feeling her tense beneath him. “Let’s see how cocky you are….”
Her breath came faster, and her hands moved to clutch his jacket as her body betrayed her resolve.
“Max,” she said, her hips shifting to chase his touch. She was trying to stay composed, but her body was winning, her thighs trembling as his fingers worked, alternating between slow, teasing strokes and firmer pressure that made her gasp audibly.
“What’s that?” he teased, his voice almost a growl, as he slowed his movements just enough to keep her teetering on the brink. “You want more, Val?” His fingers paused, circling lightly, barely touching, and she let out a small, involuntary whimper.
“Max…”
He leaned in, his lips brushing the corner of her mouth. “Say it,” he murmured, his fingers hovering, teasing her again. “Tell me you want it.”
Valerie’s eyes were half-lidded, her chest heaving as she fought to keep her pride. But her body was screaming for him, her hips rocking slightly, chasing the pressure he was withholding.
“Max,” she said again, her voice breaking, softer now, almost pleading. “Please… continue… you fucking started this…”
“That’s more like it,” he said, his fingers resuming their rhythm, rubbing her clit faster now and drawing a sharp moan from her as her head tipped back.
He watched her, drinking in every reaction—the way her lips parted, the way her fingers tightened on his jacket, the way her body arched into his hand, desperate for more. His touch was pushing her higher, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she gave in completely.
And she was right there, trembling when Max pulled back abruptly, his hand retreating entirely. Her eyes snapped open, wide with disbelief and frustration, her chest heaving as she stared at him.
“Max,” she said breathlessly, unsteadily. “What the hell are you doing?”
He stepped back, adjusting his jacket. “You wanna play games, I play better, Val.”
He turned, unlocked the door, and walked out, leaving her leaning against the table, her pulse racing, her body aching for release. They stepped out of the room as if nothing had happened.
“Damn you, Max,” Valerie said between gritted teeth as she fixed her hair, smoothed her blouse, and walked ahead angrily.
Max just smiled and followed a few steps behind, keeping his eyes on her but saying nothing.
As they reached the corridor leading back to the event floor, Max’s jacket pocket buzzed. He pulled out one of his two phones—the one he secretly brought with him. The screen showed an unlisted number.
He slowed down, answering quietly. “Sergei. Speak.”
There was a pause, then Sergei let out a short breath. “Damon knows. About Lindsay.”
Max stopped walking. “How bad?”
“Bad enough,” Sergei said. “Damon called me from Lindsay’s phone.”
“Where’s Lindsay?”
“Still with Damon. He called again and told me he wants Cardini to drop the Sicilians and deliver Deiter to him or Lindsay’s dead.”
Max didn’t say anything.
“You should keep Valerie close. Things are about to get a little…bump.”
Then the line went dead. And Max pocketed the phone, glancing toward Valerie in the distance as she rejoined her staff.