Relentless by Patricia Haley and Gracie Hill Page B

a person. I want all of it, not just a fragment.” She sipped the wine as a lump of emotion clutched at her throat, making it difficult to will away the tears burning across the ridge of her eyelids. Nicole pulled both hands down into her lap and exhaled, feeling the cool air pass her lips.
    Maxwell rubbed his temple with his index and middle fingers. “My head is starting to hurt. Let’s pick up this conversation later.” He desperately wanted to take a pain pill but resisted. Nothing would ever control him, especially not a drug.
    Their waiter sliced into the thick air surrounding the table as he served food and poured them both another glass of wine. Nicole took a long, slow drink then traced the rim of her glass with her index finger as her gaze latched onto Maxwell. Dinner wrapped up before dessert was served. She didn’t bother complaining. Maxwell had gotten what he wanted, an evening on his terms. Nicole inhaled a dose of restraint struggling to control the myriad of feelings rumbling. Maxwell hadn’t heard her heart. He wasn’t connecting with how she felt. Nicole wasn’t sure if he was incapable or just didn’t want to.

Chapter 10
    Maxwell arrived at his office early Monday. Sleep couldn’t bind him to his bed. Not even the tension-laced drive to Nicole’s or the unexpected door she’d slammed in his face last night would interrupt his mission today. His focus was completely wrapped around being prepared if Garrett was able to get him an invite to Jones’s conference. He poured himself over pages and pages of notes he’d taken over the months. He was determined to come up with an angle, a clue that would point him in the right direction. If he could get the invite, he’d be able to set things in motion and watch the effect.
    Maxwell reached into his desk drawer for a marker to use on his white board. He needed to see how the puzzle pieces were fitting together. A jovial face glared up at him. The five-by-seven of his nephew tugged at his heart, reminding him there was family he cared about. Yet Maxwell wouldn’t let those ties keep him from his journey, the one he had to travel alone. The boy’s honey-colored eyes, full cheeks, and toothy smile reminded Maxwell of his sister. His ringing cell phone snapped him back to task. He shoved the picture to the rear of his drawer, grabbed the marker and went to the coat rack by the window.
    Quickly pulling his cell phone from the jacket of his suit coat, he eagerly answered. “Garrett, tell me you’ve got good news.”
    â€œDo I ever let you down? Everything is set. You can expect a call this morning.”
    â€œYes.” Maxwell clenched his fist and shook it in the air. “I don’t know what you did or who you talked to. Don’t need to know. Good job as always.”
    â€œI’ll catch up with you later,” Garrett said and ended the call.
    With his right hand pressed against the thick glass and his left shoved into his pants pocket, Maxwell watched the people down below meandering along the sidewalk and the cars moving toward their destinations. A sardonic grin crawled across Maxwell’s lips. Gloating, he walked back to his desk, gathered up the cluster of papers, and moved to his round table next to the white board. A light knock on his door followed by a soft voice and a head full of thick curls peered through the partially opened doorway.
    â€œMr. Montgomery, the mayor is on line one,” Sonya announced, doubling as a paralegal and administrative assistant for the firm.
    â€œThanks! I’ll take it.” Sonya nodded and closed his office door. Four smooth paces and Maxwell was standing at his desk. He placed his hand on the receiver, gripped it tightly, pushed out a grunt, and went into character. “Good morning, Mayor.”
    â€œMr. Montgomery, thank you for taking my call. I know you’re very busy. So, I’ll get right to the point. I