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Prologue

“It’s been a good couple of years,” Joseph said to his brother as they shared a glass of bourbon while sitting next to a warm fire

“I agree with you there, Brother I adore randkids and can’t believe how much closer the kids have becoe said as he relaxed in the coe chair

“I can’t believe how sneaky your boy, Max is He’s been able to avoid every ive up before, but I don’t see what else we can do,” Joseph said grumpily

“Ah, it’s nice to hear you ad defeat, Joseph, but I have a few tricks up e said with a twinkle in his eye

“What do you have planned?”

Before George could say anything further Max stepped into the room and looked at both uilty expressions

“Did I hear the two of you scheain?” Max asked

“We’re just enjoying a good glass of bourbon, would you care to join us?” George asked his son, recovering quickly

“I don’t have time, there’s a probleht,” Max told his father and uncle

“I heard there were some bad store questioned his son

“You know that I can’t wait, Dad,” Max said He was always the first one to rush in, even at the risk of his own life

“I know, but you also know that I can’t help but worry about you”

“I’ll call as soon as we land I should be holad they’d ood to spend tis so much in years He wouldn’t ad thelad it had happened Joseph and George watched as Max left the room, both of them worried about him

“Well, I guess I’ll have to think of so else because he won’t be here to ‘accidentally’ buht,” George said with disappointment

“I think that boy has built in radar for our h “But we’re stubborn and have nothing but tireed They enjoyed the rest of their evening, leaving the sche for another day

Chapter One

Cassandra, or Cassie as everyone called her, hung up the phone and had to fight not to curse out loud As it was, if her mother could hear the words in her head she’d threaten to wash her et ahold of Max Anderson for teeks straight and the infuriating ive her the courtesy of a return phone call

She narrowed her eyes as she glared at the azine picture of hiht she was soirl who so easily took ‘no’ for an answer, he certainly had another thing co

Cassie was trying desperately to get a job with The Seattle Times, and if she could land this intervieith the infamous Max Anderson, she’d be a shoe-in for the position She are he hated doing interviews, and she couldn’t remember the last time he’d been an active participant in a story

Articles ritten on him and his family all the time, but he never sat doith reporters and answered questions If she could convince hi with him, then she’d be able to land a job for the paper easily He was turning out to be as allusive as she’d heard

“Is anyone back there? I’ve been standing here for severalShe let out another sigh and walked to the front of the coffee house, where she worked She hated her job

“I’ How can I help you?” Cassie asked the lady She was excellent at customer service but that didn’t e for a reason, and it wasn’t to serve overpriced coffee to strangers all day long

“I’m in a bit of hurry and don’t appreciate the wait I’ll take a non-fatin her purse for money Cassie started the woman’s drink as the door chimed her next customer’s arrival