Chapter 31: Max

I was surprised to see Alex and Nolan at the auction this evening, and I waved at them across the room. Perhaps we’d decided not to approach each other to limit speculation and to limit people connecting the dots about their involvement in the lawsuit.

That didn’t stop Luca from approaching me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Maybe I didn’t get enough of you on our date earlier,” he said, smirking.

“I’m sure that’s it. I hear I’m quite the catch.”

“No, you are, but Sean invited me. Said it would help the fundraiser if I was auctioned off.” He shrugged like it didn’t matter to him. Secretly, I was a little jealous at the thought of other women bidding on him, but I’d never admit that aloud.

I found it hard to believe Sean would invite Luca, though. Wasn’t he worried I’d bid on him? The two of them were always fighting over me. Or maybe he was hoping Luca would find someone else to fixate on. That was more likely.

“Huh,” I finally said.

The auctioneer was now ready. “May I have your attention, please? Tonight’s auction will be for dates with the men tonight, and we’ve got a lot of handsome bachelors for you ladies.”

A chuckle went through the crowd, and some women whistled and cheered.

“Our very own legend, Fay Lush, is here tonight, too. She went for a large bid last night and is back to show her support. Give her a hand.” Unenthusiastic applause filled the room, and several women glared at me venomously as I tried to ignore them. “Now it’s time to introduce the men. Would you gentlemen please take a seat in these front chairs?” The auctioneer pointed to the same seats the women occupied last night.

“That’s me,” Luca grumbled. “As much as I hate to leave you, I’m up. Will you bid on me?”

“Not likely. We just went on a date. Are you already begging for another?” I teased.

“I’ll be on my knees for you as often as you want me to.” He winked and turned around before he could see the blush creeping up my cheeks.

The comment sent all sorts of images spiraling through my head, none of them safe. I scowled. He knew exactly what he was doing when he said that.

When Luca and the other men went up to the front, I sat back in my seat to watch the show. We always got more money on men’s night than we did women’s night because the women were more eager to buy dates with the rich men here. However, after the ten thousand dollars Luca spent on me last night, this year might be different.

While I was distracted, my brother, Max, walked up to me, two glasses of champagne in hand. He sat down next to me and handed me a glass. “Hi, Fay. Can we talk?”

What could he possibly want to talk about? It was too soon for him to have been served with the papers for the lawsuit, and the police hadn’t arrested anyone yet. Maybe he wanted to talk about my marriage. I knew Dad and they hadn’t given up on convincing me to stay in it.

“I guess so,” I said, not letting the suspicion color my words. I took a sip of the champagne because I had a feeling I would need it for this discussion.

“Let’s go somewhere private. There’s something I’d rather not discuss where others can overhear.” He made a pointed look at the nearby tables. “The room across the hall is open.”

“Okay,” I agreed reluctantly, downing the rest of the drink and placing the empty glass on the table. Whatever he wanted to talk about sounded important.

“Great. Let’s go.” Without waiting for me to change my mind, Max rose. His black tuxedo strained against his muscles, muscles I hadn’t noticed before. Odd. When did he get so buff? I frowned.

I followed him, stumbling, to the doors of the banquet hall and into the hallway. The sounds of the room were muted once the doors closed behind us. Then Max opened the door to another room, which was much smaller. It was a conference room of some sort, with low couches on one side and a round table on the other. My brother led me to the couches.

“Let’s sit down,” he said. I couldn’t argue. The champagne was suddenly getting to my head, making me feel fuzzy. So, I sat down unceremoniously, leaning against the back of the couch to support myself.

I wasn’t usually that bad with liquor, but maybe it was a stronger drink than I thought. “What is it you wanted to t-talk about, Max?” I slurred.

“You’ve always been such a beautiful woman, Fay,” he started, placing a hand on my knee. I suddenly felt like warning bells should be going off, but I was just hot all over. My body felt heavy, and I was flushed. “It’s a shame Owen was no good to you. I would have treated you better. He didn’t know what he had until it slipped from his grasp.”

“What?” I was confused by his words. They made no sense. Why would my brother say such a thing?

“Shh. Just let me say this.” He placed a finger over my lips then dragged his finger over them. “Such a full mouth. I bet it would feel great wrapped around me.”

It was getting hard to keep my eyes open.

“But that will have to wait. I imagine you won’t be able to move soon.” A wicked grin crossed his face as the effects of whatever drug he must have put in my drink took their full effect. Because that’s what it had to be. Max had drugged me!

Against my will, desire rippled through me, partnered with disgust. “What are you doing, Max? Why are you doing this? It’s crazy.” I hoped my words were intelligible enough for him to understand my questions.

“Well, you see, Fay, ... you’re not my sister. You never were.” He leaned closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “And I’m tired of waiting for what I want.”

Max pushed the skirt of my dress up, and I weakly struggled to get away. But he’d pinned me down.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and I heard the sound of pounding footsteps. Max looked up and cursed. “We’ll continue this later, Fay,” he said. “Unfortunately, I need to leave.”

He full out ran to the other exit of the room just as three other men came into my view, shouting. I couldn’t make out their words, but I could see their blurry faces: Alex, Nolan, and Luca.

Luca was here to save me again, I realized, as he picked me up off the couch. He seemed to be making a habit of this. I’d laugh if I wasn’t so tired. He placed two fingers on my wrist.

“Is she okay?” Alex asked, and Nolan’s face was a mirror of concern.

“I’ve got her,” Luca said. “You two call the police. I’m going to take her to the hospital.”

Alex looked like he was going to protest, but Luca interjected. “There’s no time. He must have given her too much. Her heart rate is going crazy. Just call the police and meet us at the hospital.”

Luca cradled me to his chest as he ran. He smelled amazing, and I moaned as I leaned into him. “Stay with me, Fay,” he pleaded as he ran to his SUV. “You’re going to be alright. Just stay awake.”

It was hard to stay awake when everything made me so tired, but he sounded so pitiful. I thought then that maybe I’d do anything for him.

“Stay with me,” he kept saying, all the way to the hospital. He drove so fast. Too fast.

“You’re going to get pulled over,” I mumbled. He didn’t laugh, just gripped the steering wheel tightly and kept speeding.

We reached the hospital, and he raced to my side of the car, getting me out. Then he ran inside, holding me to his muscular chest once more.

“Help!” he shouted, and everything stopped in the lobby of the emergency room as the nurses tried to figure out what was wrong.

“Calm down, sir, and tell me what’s wrong,” one said.

“She’s been drugged. Someone tried to—” He couldn’t even get the words out because he was so angry.

“Bring her over here.” The nurse led us straight to a bed, considering I was barely conscious.

“What’s her name?” she asked.

“Fay. It’s Fay Lush.”

“And her birthday?”

“I-I don’t know.” Luca seemed at a loss.

“Let’s check her purse for ID,” the nurse suggested.

I was still wearing my purse strapped over my shoulder and hip, but at this point, I wasn’t even awake enough to protest if I wanted to. The room quickly faded to black, and I felt the sweet bliss of sleep take me.