Page 56 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

“JP!” Nicky’s voice travels through the air. I almost forgot he was here. “Take Jonsie home. Stay with her until I get there.”

“Nicky.” I release Maverick, turning to reach for him. Mav backs up a bit, giving us space. “Nicky, let’s talk about this.”

“Now you wanna talk?” he scoffs, arching his brow. “Didn’t wanna talk for the last six months while you been sneaking around.”

“Ni –”

“No, J,” he cuts me off. “I have shit to clean up right now. I will talk to you when I get home. Say goodbye to Maverick.” He turns on a heel, stalking off into the night. “Throw him in the Jeep, JP! Then take her home and keep her there.”

I release a deep breath, trying the suppress the overwhelming urge to cry, knowing I’ve disappointed him. Mav’s arms wrap around me from behind.

“It’s gonna be okay.” He presses his lips to the tattoo on my neck. “He’s known about us for a whole twelve minutes now and hasn’t put a bullet in me, so that’s promising.”

A slight laugh escapes me as he spins my body to face him.

“It’s gonna be fine, baby.” Mav presses his forehead to mine. “Go home with JP.”

Home. The house. Shit.

“Daphne?” I ask, my mind plagued with worry as I’m reminded of what happened just hours ago.

“She’s fine,” Mav assures me, placing my nerves at ease. “Some broken ribs and bruises. They’re keeping her overnight for observation, but otherwise she’s fine. I’ll take you to her tomorrow.”

“You still gonna be around tomorrow?” I eye him skeptically.

“Don’t worry. Me and big brother are gonna bond over some good old-fashioned torture. You and I will be back in the apartment before you know it.”

“You’re twisted and demented, and I love you.” I snort.

Mav smiles, placing a kiss to my lips before patting me on the ass. “Love you, too. Don’t worry. I got this.”

“Car! Now, Joanna!” Nicky screams across the field.

“Yeah,” I address Mav while glancing over to where my brother stands, “good luck with that one.”

CHAPTER 27

MAV

We pull up to the Cathedral in the F150 with T, Finn, and Rico behind us in Nicky’s Jeep. Tommy’s also with them.

Nicky’s iced me out the entire way here, refusing to so much as glance in my direction. We park the cars, the boys spilling out of the Wrangler, traitor in tow.

Nicky and I exit the truck, following several steps behind. “Take him to the cells, Finn. We’ll meet you down there in a—”

My words are cut off as Nicky’s fist collides with my face, sending me stumbling backward considering I wasn’t expecting the hit.

Finn and T draw their pieces, only to be halted when my hand shoots up, signaling them to stand down. Watching them holster their weapons, I gesture for them to go inside with a nudge of my head. They reluctantly comply, taking Tommy with them. Rico offers a final glance over his shoulder before following as well with a shake of his head.

“That was it, Nick!” I spit the metallic taste of blood from my mouth. “That was your only freebie. You come at me again, and I’ll put you the fuck down.”

“You’ve been fucking my sister!” He thrusts his finger at me, his face baring a look of disgust.

“Nicky, I swear to God, if you keep talking about her like she is a whore, I am going to fucking shoot you. And that’s gonna put a real damper on my marriage proposal, so Imma need you to take it down a notch or two.”

He rears back as though I’ve slapped him.

“Marriage?!” he bellows, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You wanna marry Joanna? Fuck, you think I’ll let you marry Joanna?!”

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