Master of his heart (Max and Brielle) novel Chapter 919

But last time Michael came clean, he only mentioned the birth control pills, never breathed a word about the IUD.

"Max?" Ramey called out.

Max snapped back to reality, but his brows were knit with a frosty sternness, a slight tremor in his usually calm voice. "Just take care of it," he said.

Ramey didn't pry any further. Since it was all kicking off next week, he had to hustle to get Brielle to let her guard down.

Max stared at the screen in front of him, feeling nauseated by the avalanche of data. The bigwigs at DreamTech Designs kept buzzing him, asking when he'd swing by. Back in his Wall Street days, Max had been the hands-on captain of DreamTech Designs, but since he'd drifted back to Beaconsfield, he'd been running the show remotely, just like he used to with Dorsey International.

DreamTech Designs had his most trusted execs; he wasn't sweating about any hiccups there. Still, the crew was keen for him to make an appearance.

"Mr. Dorsey, Dorsey International is biting the hand that fed it. No need for soft gloves. Our plan's in motion, by next week at the latest, we'll have clinched the takeover," they said.

This blitz on Dorsey International was a hostile takeover, plain and simple cash warfare. And if there was one thing Max wasn't short on, it was cash.

"Mr. Dorsey, we're really hoping you can make it back soon. Plus, Infinity Brilliance is snooping around us. I've fed them a line, let the Lynch family catch wind that you're the big cheese at DreamTech Designs."

Infinity Brilliance didn't stir a flicker on Max's stony face, but he glanced upstairs on instinct. People have their selfish streaks. If he heeded his darkest desires, he wouldn't wish for Brielle to reconnect with the Lynch clan.

Brielle's world was barren. The Haywood family never took to her, Spencer didn't treasure her, and Aubree was her sole confidant. Brielle was the most emotionally destitute person he'd ever met, second only to himself.

Brielle was asleep, a tiny bundle curled up in the blankets, only half her face visible. Max's only wish was to clear any hurdles in Beaconsfield before the next month dawned. He raised his hand, tenderly tracing her features.

He still didn't grasp why, on that slightly tipsy evening, one look from her had him whisking her away to his apartment. He was never a man of carnal desires. In the sullied, desire-fueled circles of Wall Street, he'd resisted touching any woman. So why break his resolve the moment he returned stateside?

No wonder Andrew asked if his feelings for Brielle were genuine. Of course, he was smitten, helplessly so. His affection was so profound it startled even him. But this strange, intense affection made him itch to step out of line.

His fingertips lingered on Brielle's cheek, gently caressing, then settling on her abdomen. In her sleep, Brielle placed a hand over her belly, as if sensing the touch, her brow furrowing with resistance.

Max grasped her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "I promise you," he whispered, "once you're back in fighting form, we'll get hitched, fully prepped, and then we'll have a healthy baby."