Sexy in Stilettos (A Sexy Contemporary Romance)

  ***

  Alec knew he was on a fool’s errand. He also knew it probably wasn’t a good idea to leave Jaya alone with Adele. But he couldn’t be in two places at once. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? From the workup Caleb had pulled on Jaya, he knew she had a good idea what she was doing. And that was the most important thing with Adele. She didn’t suffer fools. But Jaya was smart and capable and loved to plan.

  “It’s a match made in heaven,” he muttered to himself. “Stop worrying and focus on getting Max back so you can get back to your life.”

  He pulled up to the swank, modern two-story bungalow nestled in the hills of Mulholland Drive.  This part of the road was littered with windy, twisty alleyways and make-your-knees-hurt hills. But the properties were gorgeous and Max's place was no different. He had to smirk at the bungalow’s defiant nod to the sixties as the properties surrounding it had been modernized to reflect sleek modern architecture.

  Glancing up at the house, he searched the windows, but couldn’t see anything. “What the hell did you expect, moron? Max in the front window holding out a drink for you?” He shook his head. His brother may make bad decisions, but at the end of the day, he wasn’t stupid. The only reason Alec even knew about the property was because of Max’s obsession with Patsy Klein. She’d supposedly lived in this house when it was first built. Max had paid cash for it years ago under a corporation name.

  Leaving the car unlocked, he strode toward the front door, opting for the brash route. It’s not like Max didn’t know why he was there. And it’s not like his brother didn’t have some pride. He wouldn’t run. He’d refuse to come home, but he wouldn’t run.

  A clang came from the back door area and he wondered if his little brother had guests.  Jogging around the back, Alec used the code to open the back fence. This may be one of the coolest places in the Hollywood hills, but their father had been a stickler for security and instilled that one hard rule: Protect yourself. There was no point in leaving yourself open to disaster. Too bad Max used the same password for everything.  

  Swinging in the gate, Alec found his brother lying out on a lounge chair with a whole lot of “what the fuck” plastered on his face. Sloshing his drink, he jerked upright. “Alec, what the hell are you doing here?”

  “Chasing your ass all over God's green. What do you think I’m doing here? Adele couldn't find you. You haven’t been picking up your phone. And every time she sends someone after you, all your properties are buttoned up like Victorian hookers.”

  Max stood, open shirt sleeves flapping in the breeze. He darted a furtive glance around. “How did you find me? Did you come alone? Is Mom out front?”

  Alec had to shake his head. They might be as far apart as the mountains of the Grand Canyon in temperament, but they were near carbon copies of each other when it came to their looks. Their jaws, their eyes, the Roman noses. No one wouldn’t mistake them for brothers. Except Alec's dark hair favored his mother and Max's blond looks were all Westhorpe.

   “Come on, man. Patsy Klein. You’ve only been obsessed with her for forever. Lucky for you, I don’t think Adele knows about this place. Otherwise she might have sent her security. She’s pissed.”

  Max grabbed at the hair on his head with his left hand. “Of course you would know where to come find me. You didn’t tell her where I was, did you?”

  “No. I’ll let you keep your sanctuary, but you’ve got to come home, bro. This mess you’re in, it won’t clean itself up. And—” he sucked a breath in past the emotion, “—Adele is torn up.”

  Max’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you worry about, mom. I’m sure she’s just as tough as she ever was.” He sagged a little, letting the bitter edge to his tone seep out. “Look. I know I’m in a world of trouble. I just needed a couple of days to sort myself out. I’m going to go back.”

  Alec shoved his hands in his pockets, needing to channel the urge to hit his brother into somewhere less destructive. “What the hell were you thinking? Adele wanted me to look into why the Westhorpes with clubs are losing cash.  I’ve had a quick look at the accounts.  I assume it’s gambling?  The Sandovals are the only ones you can get into that much debt with around San Diego.  Have you lost your fucking mind? Why the hell didn’t you call me?”

  “And say what? ‘Dude, I fucked up bad.’ You would have told me to handle my shit.”

  That did sound like him. “You know better than that. If I’d known it was this bad, I would have helped you. “

  Max rolled his eyes and some of the amber liquid in his glass sloshed. “That’s right. St. Alec, to the rescue. I can’t go back.”

  The hairs on Alec’s neck stood up.  “You don’t really have a choice. This is some serious shit. Imagine what this is doing to Sue.”

  Disbelief contorted Max’s face. “Don’t you talk about Sue. You don’t know anything about her.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. Other than the fact that she’s pregnant. I know nothing about your life or hers. But I do know the real reason you booked like Michael Johnson in oh-eight.  You’re a selfish asshole.  Dude, you left your pregnant fiancée behind after you drained your trust fund. Who does that?”

  Max’s jaw tightened. “Adele sent you to keep things quiet. She doesn’t want anyone at Westhorpe knowing what a screw-up her son is.”

  “Thing is, little brother, you only owed three hundred. I had Caleb check.  Why did you drain your trust fund? What kind of trouble are you really in? Even you aren’t callous enough to leave Sue behind without any money.”

  “Look. I know what you think, but it’s bigger than just the money I took. I’m going to come back. Just not now. I need more time to figure it out.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? You can be a selfish little prick, but you’re not a complete bastard.”

  Max’s grin went from surly to evil. “Nope, that’s your job title, right? Westhorpe Bastard. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it.”

  Alec tried to reason with his mind and emotions, telling himself that they were just words. That Max didn’t really believe what he was saying. That he wasn’t just an errand boy, that he really couldn’t hurt his brother. But his fists didn’t feel like listening as they clenched and unclenched at his sides. “Enough screwing around, Max. Get your scrawny ass in the car. I’m taking you back.”

  “Or what, you’ll drag me kicking and screaming?”

  Alec leveled a glare at his brother. He was spoiling for a fight. “If it comes to that.”

  Then Max did the unexpected—the one thing Alec was completely unprepared for. He ran.