CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211

Maxwell’s POV

I walked out of my office, down the stairs, through the foyer, and out to where my car was waiting in the driveway.

I didn’t say a word. Didn’t trust myself to speak. Could barely trust myself to breathe without screaming.

My driver was already in the vehicle, waiting to take me to the office. I yanked open the door and slid into the backseat.

"Step out," I said, my voice dangerously quiet.

"Sir?"

"Get. Out. Of. The. Car."

The driver’s eyes widened, and he jumped out immediately, closing the door behind him.

The moment I was alone, I lost it.

"FUCK!"

I slammed the passenger seat with so much force to make the entire car shake.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCKKKKKKK!"

I hit the seat again. And again. Pouring every ounce of rage and frustration and desperation into each blow until my knuckles screamed and my chest heaved.

She’s dating Gabriel. GABRIEL. Fucking Gabriel.

No. I didn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it. There was no way she was actually dating him. No way Gabriel would accept to date her knowing everything - knowing how I felt, knowing what she meant to me, knowing I’d been searching for her for years.

He wouldn’t do that to me. He wouldn’t.

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Gabriel’s number.

He picked up on the second ring. "Hey, Max. What’s up?"

"Guess who just came to me for relationship advice?" My voice was tight, controlled, barely holding back the storm.

"Who?"

"Olivia." I spat her name like poison. "Your supposed girlfriend came to my office asking for advice about making you fall in love with her. Is this true? Are you actually dating her?"

Silence on the other end.

Then: "Yes."

The single word hit me like a blow.

"You’re serious right now?" My voice was rising despite my efforts to stay calm. "Even though you know everything? Even though you know..."

"Look, man," Gabriel interrupted, his tone maddeningly reasonable. "She needs someone, and I need someone. We’re just two single people trying to make something work."

"Gab, tell me you’re joking." I was gripping the phone so hard I was surprised it didn’t crack. "It’s not like you even likeher."

"And who said I don’t?" Gabriel’s voice took on an edge. "I’ve been holding back for a while now because I thought you’d make your move. But it’s clear you’re not ready. So why should both of us be miserable?"

"Why does it have to be Olivia?" The words came out as almost a plea. "Why can’t you find some other girl? Anyone else?"

"Because she appeals to me, Max." Gabriel sounded gentle now, which was somehow worse. "She’s beautiful, determined, courageous, fun, a little crazy... I need those qualities in my sad, depressing life right now. She makes me feel alive again."

No. No, no, no.

"I don’t believe this." I was pacing now - or trying to pace in the confined space of the car. "Where are you? I’m coming to see you right now."

"Max..."

"Where. Are. You."

Gabriel sighed. "I’m at my apartment. But I don’t think..."

I hung up and immediately instructed the driver - who was standing awkwardly beside the car - to take me to Gabriel’s place.

This can’t be happening. Gabriel wouldn’t do this to me. Olivia wouldn’t...

But she would, wouldn’t she? I’d pushed her away. Had wronged her. Walked away when she’d given me the chance to be honest.

And Gabriel... Gabriel was everything I wasn’t. Open with his emotions. Willing to commit. Not terrified of getting hurt again.

Maybe she’s better off with him.

The thought made me want to put my fist through the window.

No. Hell no!

******

Kira’s POV

I arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes early - a cute little café on the edge of town that was quiet enough for what I had planned.

The sleeping pills were already dissolved in a glass of iced tea, sitting innocently at the table I’d chosen in the back corner.

This is insane. We’re actually doing this. We’re kidnapping someone.

My phone buzzed. A text from fake Oliver: Almost there. Be there in 5.

I took a deep breath and ordered myself a coffee, arranging my face into what I hoped looked like a remorseful girlfriend ready to make up after a fight.

Five minutes later, the door chimed, and fake Oliver walked in.

He spotted me immediately and headed over, his expression filled with hope and uncertainty.

Whoever this person is, they’re really good at this.

"Kira," he said, sliding into the seat across from me. "I’m so glad you wanted to meet. I’ve been worried about you."

"I’ve been worried about us," I said, channeling my inner actress. "About our fight."

"What fight?" He looked completely confused. "I still don’t understand what happened. One minute everything was fine, and the next you were furious with me."

"It’s complicated," I said, pushing the spiked iced tea toward him. "But I want to work through it. I ordered your favorite - iced tea, extra lemon."

He smiled and picked up the glass. "You remembered."

No, I just guessed.

I watched as he took a sip, then another, while I launched into a rambling story about feeling neglected and needing more quality time together - all complete bullshit designed to keep him talking and drinking.

"So," I said casually after he’d downed half the glass, "tell me more about work. How’s it going with Maxwell? You’ve been with him for a while now."

"Yeah, just over a month," he said easily. "It’s been great. Maxwell’s intense but fair. Really values my work."

A month? That’s oddly specific.

"And before that? Where were you working?"

He took another long drink. "Freelancing, mostly. Odd jobs here and there. Maxwell’s the first real steady employment I’ve had in a while."

"How did you even end up working for him?"

"I applied through the normal channels. Sent in my resume, went through interviews..." He paused, his eyes looking slightly unfocused. "Why are you asking so many questions about work?"

"Just curious about my boyfriend’s life," I said sweetly. "We should know these things about each other, right?"

"Right..." He blinked slowly, shaking his head like he was trying to clear it. "Sorry, I feel a bit weird suddenly."

"Are you okay?" I leaned forward, feigning concern. "Maybe you’re just tired. You’ve been working so hard lately."

"Maybe..." He rubbed his eyes. "I just feel really... sleepy..."

His words were starting to slur slightly. The pills were working faster than I’d expected.

"Why don’t you rest your head for a minute?" I suggested. "Just close your eyes."

"Yeah... that sounds... good..."

His head dropped to the table with a soft thunk, and within seconds, he was completely out.

I looked around quickly. A few other patrons glanced over, but no one seemed alarmed enough to intervene.

Time to call in reinforcements.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Julian.

While planning this kidnapping mission, I knew I’d need someone grounded to help transport the body, and Julian was just the perfect human. He’d jumped for joy when I’d explained our predicament and asked for help.

Even Olivia didn’t know he was in on this. And getting his number wasn’t difficult at all since we all worked in the same company.

Julian picked up on the first ring. "Honey, please tell me you actually went through with this ridiculous plan."

"He’s unconscious at the table in front of me. I need you. Now."

"Oh my God, you beautiful, crazy woman. I’m five minutes away. Don’t move."

True to his word, Julian entered the café five minutes later, dressed to the nines in a stunning red suit and heels that could kill.

"Darling!" he called out loudly, rushing to our table. "There you are! And oh no, is your friend alright?"

"Too much to drink," I said loudly enough for anyone nearby to hear. "Can you help me get him to the car?"

"Of course, sweetie. Come on, big guy, up we go."

Between the two of us, we managed to haul fake Oliver up and half-drag, half-carry him toward the exit. To anyone watching, we just looked like two people helping their drunk friend.

"Your car or mine?" Julian asked once we were outside.

"Yours. Mine’s too small."

We loaded fake Oliver into Julian’s spacious SUV, and I climbed into the backseat to keep an eye on him.

"So," Julian said as he started driving, "where exactly are we taking our kidnapping victim?"

"A hotel that’s close to the apartment. Olivia’s there waiting."

"This is the wildest Monday I’ve had in months." Julian glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "I assume you have a plan for when he wakes up?"

"We’re going to ask him some very pointed questions. And he’s going to answer them."

Julian laughed. "Remind me never to cross you, honey. You’re terrifying when you’re motivated."

"Only when someone threatens my best friend’s livelihood."

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Olivia: How did it go?

Me: Package secured. On our way back now.

Olivia: You’re insane. I love you. See you soon.