Saving This (The McCallans #5) Read Online Free Page A

occupied himself with a giant piece of cantaloupe.
    “Oh. No,” Max shook his head, glad he had something else to counter with. “I had to ask him to help me out with something else.”
    “Oh.” She was obviously curious but didn’t ask for details. “Well have you considered it? You know, seeing what he could do?”
    Max couldn’t tell her much at this point. He forced himself not to, even though he knew she’d keep it quiet. The timing just wasn’t right. He needed a few more things to happen first. However, he nodded his head and answered, “Yeah, I’ll think about it.”
    “Good,” Kellie nodded firmly. “I really think you need to.”
    Max kept his next thoughts to himself. How could Kate be such a good mom to Chase but such a ball buster when it came to everyone else? The woman was smart, beautiful, manipulative, and had amazing connections in the industry now. She had definitely fortified her walls to be battle ready.
    But if he was going to take on Kate Donnelly, he needed the rest of his life in perfect order before taking the hit. His own fortifications needed to be top notch and ready for war.
    He couldn’t do it any other way, and if he’d be going down, he’d be going down swinging.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    “Your dad is a crafty bastard,” Cole smirked as he sat across from Max in his private home office.
    They each occupied an Italian leather chair, and as Max sat back, trying to ready himself for whatever news his friend had for him, he wished he felt as calm as Cole looked. Six-foot-two, tattooed and fit, the guy was a lethal MMA fighter by hobby. But for a dude who could kick someone’s ass in a heartbeat, he was one of the calmest guys Max knew.
    “Okay, so hit me with it,” Max said, taking a deep breath to prepare himself. He even got up and took a shot of whiskey, just to calm his nerves. He offered one to Cole but he declined.
    “You can relax, it’s nothing too mind-shattering. I’m even sure you won’t be surprised.”
    “Hm, easy for you to say.” He returned to his seat and waited.
    Cole shrugged with a slight smile. “Noted. I have my own daddy issues, so I get it. My own family shit? Mind blown,” he muttered. “Anyway, I went as far as your dad’s will.”
    Max raised an eyebrow. He didn’t even want to ask how Cole managed that one, but the man was truly brilliant with a side of fearlessness.
    “It was the only place for me to understand why the legal papers for the business are drawn up a certain way if you want out,” Cole explained.
    Not following, Max shook his head in confusion. “I know he has a lengthy will, but I don’t understand. I can’t do anything with my portion of McC Studios—I know that much. But he can’t force me to be a part of it.”
    “Nope, he can’t. You can absolutely walk away if you want. But he also won’t allow any other person into it for another fourteen years.”
    Max felt the color drain from his face. “No, please don’t tell me he actually went there.”
    “Yeah, of course he went there. It goes to Chase when he turns eighteen. However, it won’t if it’s still signed to you…or Teague.”
    Exhaling a breath of air, Max sat there staring blankly across the room. It was so typical of his dad—anything he could do to keep his claws sunk deep into his sons’ lives.
    “And what about my grandfather? Doesn’t he have a say? It’s his company to begin with. He holds the controlling percentage. Fifty-five percent. My dad has twenty-five and I have twenty.”
    “Yes, Neil actually does out of the three of you, but it’s complicated.”
    “Of course.”
    Cole nodded his head. “Without getting too confusing… Your grandfather has granted your dad the power over that last third of the percentage— your portion of twenty percent. I’m sure it has to do with the order of inheritance and all that shit, but that’s why the legal specifications for your share are designed by your dad and not your grandfather.