Chapter 14
Max
Max studied little Jacob’s face and his heart ached for the baby whose short life had already caused so much turmoil. He was pretty certain that the baby was Frank’s. Ever since their Harvard days, Frank had been jealous of him and had wanted whatever he had. When he and Alexis had started frequenting The X Club, Frank had wooed Alexis and done everything to make sure that he was her swap partner of choice. He had thought he had something over on Max, that he was hurting him. But he hadn’t counted on the fact that Max didn’t care about Alexis, let alone love her. In fact, he had rarely reached orgasm with Alexis, and he always used protection with her. In fact Sophie was the only woman that he had never used protection with. His beautiful and sweet Sophie. He thought back to the previous evening. It had been crazy, though he had to admit that it had been exhilarating to share that moment with Sophie. Not that he needed to do it again.
He heard his phone ringing and he saw it was Ella. He answered the phone with trepidation. She rarely called him and he didn’t think that she was about to start with the courtesy calls. “Everything okay, Ella?”
“No,” she sobbed into the phone.
“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously. “It’s not Joseph again, is it?”
“I don’t know,” she cried. “I had a date today, it’s a long story but basically I think some guy named Frank Phillips is trying to harm you, Max.”
“Did you say Frank Phillips?” He sat down with a sigh.
“Yes.” She hiccupped. “Do you know him?”
“He’s an old acquaintance from Harvard. He’s a senator in Delaware now.”
“Oh, does he want to harm you, Max?”
“Maybe.” He sighed. “I think he wants to make sure certain information doesn’t get out.”
“What information?”
“That he’s Jacob’s dad.”
“What?” Ella exclaimed.
“It’s a long story.” Max sighed. “Hey, can you come over and look after Jacob. There’s something I need to do.”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll be over in fifteen minutes.”
“Ella?”
“Yes?”
“Did this man, your date, do anything to hurt you?”
“No.” She laughed uncontrollably. “He didn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it. I was a fool. I will likely never hear from him again. I just made a mistake.”
“I’m sorry, Ella. You deserve better than these schmucks.”
“Well, we all can’t be as lucky as Sophie, dear brother.”
“Oh Ella, I’m not the best catch in the world.” Max laughed. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” He hung up the phone and sent a quick text. I need to see you. I’ll be at your office in thirty minutes. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth while he waited for Ella. He thought about leaving Sophie a note but decided against it, he didn’t want her to worry. She and the baby had to be protected, at all costs.
***
Max ran out of the building as soon as Ella arrived. She had looked awful but he didn’t have time for pleasantries. He needed to sort a couple of things out. As he walked he called Alexis.
“Why hello there.” She sounded happy to hear from him.
“Hey, we need to talk.”
“Well you know I’m always available.” She smirked.
“I need to know whose name is on the birth certificate.”
“Yours of course,” she scoffed.
“I know he’s not mine, Alexis.” His voice was short and she was silent. “I’ll keep him though. I just need to make sure that legally he is mine. I want you to sign away all rights.”
“What about me?” Her tone was sharp.
“You’ll be taken care of.”
“We can take care of it tomorrow.” Her voice was light.
“That sounds like a plan.” He was happy that she was being so accommodating.
“Just bring the papers.”
“Thank you, Alexis.”
“Yeah, whatever.” She sighed. “You might as well know that—”
“That what?”
“Look I have to go,” she exclaimed excitedly. “I’ll see you tomorrow. At our place.”
“Okay.” He hung up as he reached the building and checked in at the front desk. “I’m here to see Dr. Spencer.”
“He’s expecting you, Mr. Van Harkel. You can go right up.” The receptionist smiled at him and he walked briskly to the elevator.
“Max.” Dr. Spencer stood up. “It’s good to see you. Is everything okay?”
“No.” He paused. “It’s not okay.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.” Max paced the room. “I think someone is trying to come after me.”
“Oh?” Dr. Spencer swallowed. “Who?”
“That’s not important.” Max walked over to the window. “I just don’t want to do something I’ll regret.”
“Like?”
“I don’t know—beating someone up, having them killed.”
“Oh.” Dr. Spencer felt his face going white. “We don’t want you to do that, do we?”
Max turned around and faced him. “I’m having a baby. I want to be there for my child and my wife. I want to get married.”
“So you can do that.” Dr. Spencer nodded. “I know what it’s like to love someone with all your heart.” He paused. “I never thought I’d be one to admit it but I do believe in love at first sight now, Max. And with love comes a virtue of emotions, Max. You can be a better man. You can be there for your wife and child.”
“Not if I kill someone!” Max shouted.
“Do you need some meds, Max?”
“No.” Max sighed. “I’m fine. I’m just angry. Really angry. And I needed to talk to someone before S. came home.”
“Who’s looking after the baby?” Dr. Spencer questioned.
“My sister.”
“Oh.” Dr. Spencer looked at him furtively. “And how is she?”
“She’s fine,” Max said dismissively. “Just dealing with her jerk of an ex-boyfriend.”
“The one that worked for you?”
“Yes.”