Taken by Storm by Kelli Maine

managing Rocha Enterprises. Even if there were, I don’t want it. When I fail, he’s free to own everything with a clear conscience and not look like the bad guy. Keeping up appearances is as vital as air to the Old Man.”
    Rachael shot one hip out and tapped her foot. “So, this is all a ploy to keep control of the company himself. I see.”She yanked her cell phone out of her pocket and started jabbing buttons sending a text message. “He better get his ass here,” she muttered.
    “My… Merrick?” MJ couldn’t bring himself to say dad.
    “Yes. I can’t fight this battle by myself. He needs to face this. And
why
wouldn’t he tell me your mother was dead and he thought you were too? God, that man!” She shook her head and poked the SEND button. “I’m sorry, by the way,” she said, looking up at him, “about your mom.”
    He smiled, wanting to put her at ease. “It’s okay. I never knew her.”
    She eased her phone back into her pocket and crossed her arms appraising him. “What do you want to do if not run Rocha Enterprises?”
    His throat burned knowing he’d have to admit he was a total fuckup, and he ran his hands through the back of his hair. “I did want to be a scout for probaseball.”
    “Not anymore?” She rocked from foot to foot.
    “I don’t think it’s an option for me at this point.” Getting kicked off the team was probably not a step in the direction of his dreams. No pro team would touch a guy who wasn’t a team player on and off the field.
    Rachael tilted her head. “What are you going to do then?”
    He chuckled. She was unbelievable. Why couldn’t she let it go? “It’s undetermined.”
    He noticed her hand press against the phone in her pocket, as if anticipating a return message from his dad. What kind of asshole lets his girlfriend walk into this fucked-up mess and disappear when she needs him most? “You deserve better,” he said, nodding to her pocket.
    She shook her head. “It’s fine. I can handle him.” Her phone chimed as if on cue. Her face lit. “See?” She tugged her phone out of her pocket, and MJ watched her lips move as she read. “He says he’s taking care of some business that has to do with you.” She shoved her phone back in her pocket. “Once you understand him, you’ll realize he has to circle a problem for a while before he rushes in and tackles it. Then watch out.”
    “All hell breaks loose?” MJ fought the curiosity to ask her more about Merrick. He didn’t want to know anything more about a man he might never meet.
    Rachael smirked. “Yeah, all hell frequently breaks loose when Merrick’s involved.”
    She might be the most loyal person MJ had ever met. Or blinded by love. All of the fire and fight and stubbornness inside her reminded him of Maddie.
    Except Maddie hadn’t fought for him.
    Maddie had left him.

Six
    S tanding a few yards behind MJ, Maddie kept silent. She’d been sitting outside getting some sun while browsing the job boards on her laptop when he and Rachael exited from the big house. Something serious was going down, and call her nosey, but where MJ was concerned, she wanted to have details.
    “Hey, Maddie!” Rachael said, spotting her and taking a few steps toward her.
    She saw MJ’s back stiffen before he turned to her with a half-cocked smirk.
    “Hey,” she said, sensing a shifting in the air between her and MJ that made her uneasy.
    “Why don’t you guys come to lunch with me?” Rachael said. “My treat.” She placed a hand on MJ’s forearm. “I could use some company to get my mind off things.”
    MJ kept his eyes glued to Maddie’s. This was some kind of test, and they both knew it, but only he knew the rules and she had the distinct impression she was about to fail.
    Her nerves thrummed under her skin as he stared at her with those practically black eyes that never faltered. Who would look away first? Was he doing this on purpose? Searching to find an answer inside of her somewhere?
    He licked