Max and Laney both drew a deep sigh of relief as the plane touched the ground in Spain. Flying first class definitely has it perks. The exhausted girls were happy to snuggle down on their reclining seat-beds, and sleep through the flight. They woke up in enough time to retouch their make-up and prep for the landing. They had to switch flights in Spain but it was just an hour long flight to Marseille then the vacation would be in full swing. Laney had never been to France, and was excited to swim in the Mediterranean, eat French food in France, and above all else, shop. Max was eager to see her parents, but having to explain to them the nature of her relationship with Leo was going to be difficult.
As the van pulled up to the villa, Max's stomach did a flip. Her parents were on the stairs beaming at them. Laney was the first to exit and run into their welcoming arms. Max, on the other hand was apprehensive until she saw her father's face. He grabbed his daughter and gave her a reassuring hug, which relieved all her anxiety. The girls were led through to the patio where lunch was waiting for them. Lunch was like a seafood feast.
Laney and Max were ravenous and tore into everything. Señor and Señora La Costa asked about the flight, ease of connection, and Laney's family. They avoided talking about Leo, but planned on doing so after the girls had rested. Max told them about the internship and meeting the Russian clients. Her father realized that she never mentioned what her boss did to her, but thanks to Carbone he had been informed and was guaranteed the situation would be handled to his satisfaction.
Damn, my little girl had one hell of a summer, but look at her she's resilient. That's daddy's girl.
Antonio looked at his daughter smiling. Most men in his position could only see potential in a male heir, but Max was amazing and made him proud. He spent all her childhood and teenage years training her to survive in this world, hoping all along she would never need it. He had known something was going on, thanks to his updates from Rick, but when the coded postcard arrived he almost hopped on a plane to the States. A cooler head prevailed when he re-read the card. She knew how to hide, and defend herself, and if Leo was a true threat to her she would drop him without a second thought. Antonio was glad it did not come to that, especially when he found out Leo was a son a long time friend.
The world is truly small.
Laney and Max excused themselves to get changed for swimming. The weather was perfect and they both had been fantasizing about getting into the sea. For Max being around the sea was always good to clear her mind. The girls had a great time frolicking in the water, until Max began to feel queasy. She was sure it was all the sea food they had eaten so she left Laney and went back up to the villa for an antacid. However before she made it back to her room a wave of nausea swept over her causing her knees to buckle. Her mother rounded the corner catching Max trying to steady herself on the wall.
"Mom, the room's spinning. I'm feeli...," was all she got out before puking out her entire lunch in the hallway.
"Max, speak to me. What is going on?" Her mother touched forehead, and found her skin clammy and her color ashen.
"I don't know. I was fine then I wasn't," she said trying to take the fear from her voice. "I probably just need to lie down. It's been a long day."
Tara helped Max get to her room, changed and tucked her in. She studied her daughter intently. Max had never had a weak stomach. The child could eat anything; she cringed remembering their trips to Thailand and Africa. Max would always find the most unappealing things to eat. A suspicion crept into Tara's mind, but she wouldn't discuss it with Antonio until she talked to Max.
Max slept late into the next morning. When she woke up she found everyone on the patio having breakfast. Still uneasy she had toast and bacon, her favorite simple breakfast. After breakfast her father called her and Laney to his study to have the dreaded talk. Max hoped in vain he would have let it slide. Laney sat with her back extra straight, she hated having serious discussions with her own father, she always felt he could see through her eyes and know all the naughty things she had gotten up too. Max sat Indian style on the couch trying to be as comfortable as she could be in an uncomfortable situation. Antonio wanted to put the girls at ease, but it was difficult to with the tension he was feeling inside. Tara perched on the armchair next to her husband. Max laughed inwardly looking at her parents; they always presented a united front.
"Ok, Max," her father began, "take it from the top."
Max told her father how she met Leo in Little Italy in July, what she saw at the club, the incident on Flatbush Avenue, their running to Montclair, the letter and the visit to his parents. She figured those highlights were good enough. She was definitely not telling them about the sex.
Antonio looked at his daughter with an amused smile on his face. He knew there were some details and key points missing from her recap, but he decided to let her have her secrets except one. "Max, what happened with your boss, McCleary?"
Oh shit this man is going to die twice
, she thought. "He had been watching me since I started at the law firm. The night of the dinner the asshole decide he was going to teach me a lesson. I fought him off and got away. It's done."
"No, honey, but it will be." Antonio was certain his friend would make it right on all counts.
Laney had never seen the dangerous side of Papa La Costa before and was kind of scared, and happy he was on her side. He was not a man to be crossed, legit or not.
Antonio was satisfied with the girls' account of the events, and sent them on their way. Laney breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to her room, to get ready for some shopping. She wanted to be far away from Papa La Costa's eyes for awhile, she might start confessing all of
her
crazy activities to him.
When Max got back to her room she found a package on her bed from her mother. She was pleasantly surprised until she opened it. Her mother had gone to the chemist and gotten her a pregnancy test.
A pregnancy test! Oh frig, oh frig, oh frig. Nah I couldn't be. Could I? Oh shit, I did miss my period. How could I not notice?
Max's mind was racing a mile a minute.
How in the world could I be so dumb? My father is going to kill me.
"Mom! Mom!" Max called out to her mother trying not to sound a panicked as she was feeling.
Tara wiggled from her husband's embrace. After all the years they have been together he had never lost his passion and desire for her. He vowed the day she decided to marry him that he would live his life making up for the terror he put her through, and has not disappointed since. She knew why Max was calling so eagerly, but it was not the time to tell Antonio.
She had peed on the stick and was waiting for the result. She had already called Laney into the room, but needed her mother there as well. All three women sat nervously waiting for the results to show. As the plus sign appeared, Max felt herself go cold.
One
shitting time, oh let's be reckless Max, let's live on the edge Max, you're such a dumb dumb.
She asked to be alone so she could formulate a plan. One thing Max was good at was planning. A plan was her safe zone, her surety of success.
**********
"Two fucking weeks, cuz," raged Pauley. "She will be gone two fucking weeks. So man the fuck up and get to work. People need to see your face."
