Phoenix Club 07(17)

The man blurred and shimmered before him. Max had never been this open and honest before, always hiding from the truth of what all this was doing to him. “Max…” Horatio said thickly.

Max turned away again and cold reality hit him full force; him coming around was putting Max in torment. The man wasn’t capable of feeling free to be with Horatio…and he never would.

Do you love him enough to let him go? To just go away and leave him in peace? Ease his suffering?

He licked his lips slowly and felt the warm tears on his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Max.” he whispered. “I’ve…I’ve been very selfish. I won’t…” He licked his lips again and tasted his own tears. “I won’t be coming around anymore.” His legs felt weighted as he walked unsteadily to the door and gripped the handle. “Please forgive me.” Then he was gone.





***





Max had remained holed up in his office nearly all day; mere random, sparse appearances the only indication he was still at the club. And when Horatio Kaplan walked through the club entrance at around seven that evening – Dane anticipated emotional turmoil. He didn’t believe Kaplan was there to fuck with Max and twist up his heart purposely, but that the man simply didn’t possess the strength of will to stay away.

The raised voices coming out of Max’s office hadn’t been lost on Dane. He had half expected one of the two men to storm out of there in a rage. But when Horatio Kaplan had emerged, it wasn’t in a flurry of anger. In fact, the guy walked out subdued, looking like an unbearable weight had been suddenly dropped on his shoulders. There was no fight in him, just pain–as was evident in the tears wetting his face. Something monumental had just gone down between him and Max, and Dane suspected his boss wasn’t in much better condition.

He glanced at the office door to see if Max would step out, possibly go after Kaplan. But the door remained closed tight and silence reigned on the other side; no cursing or objects breaking. Nothing to indicate the man was in a rage. But the quiet was more unsettling. When one went silent, it usually meant they were pulling their pain inward rather than releasing it. And that was never a good thing.

When Kaplan left the club, Dane walked to the office door and knocked quietly. “Max?”

No answer.

Dane twisted the knob and opened the door slowly then stepped inside, closing it behind him. His heart broke when he saw Max sitting on the sofa, head in his hands–crying. Max was one of the strongest minded men Dane had ever met. It took a lot to break a man like that. But here he sat…broken.

Remaining silent, Dane went to him and sank to one knee. He cupped his head and kissed his hair, then gently stroked the back of his neck. The man trembled and shook. Whatever he’d been holding back for so long was finally breaking loose–and it was more than he could handle.

“Come on.” Dane murmured. “Let me take you home. You don’t need to be here right now.”

Max said nothing as he slowly stood up. He didn’t look at Dane, just stared blankly at the floor. Whatever had happened had left him an empty shell. Temporarily at least. Dane hoped not permanently.

They left through the rear entrance and got into Dane’s car. He didn’t know if he could do anything to help the man, but he was damn well going to try.





***





Angel scribbled down the number and gave it to Maddy. “You keep this. Memorize it.” he said. “This is where I’m working. If Wade brings anyone into the apartment and they try to mess with you, then run. Get out of the apartment if you can, and call this number. The guy who answers will probably be Carl. Just ask for me. Tell him it’s an emergency and he’ll come get me.”

Nodding, Maddy took the scrap of paper. “Okay.” He murmured. After yesterday, the boy was even more afraid to be left alone with their stepbrothers, and Angel hated to leave him.

“Listen.” Angel hugged him then stepped back. “Maybe I can talk to Wade about letting you get a job at one of the corner markets or something. As a stock boy or something. He might be okay with it if you’re making money. And you wouldn’t have to be here with them the whole time.”

Maddy looked at him, hopeful. “Do you think he would let me?”

“I don’t know.” Angel said. “Maybe. But,” He looked at him seriously. “If he lets you take a job, you cannot tell anyone about what goes on here. You understand? That’s why he doesn’t let you go to school, he thinks you might talk. So he may not let you get a job either. I don’t know. But if it involves money, he may change his mind.”