Page 114 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

And we won’t even touch on how much I miss Bent.

“You guys okay over here?” Jonsie’s voice carries over the hum of the surrounding crowd moving around us. Her mom and I release, and I turn to be met with J’s beautiful smile. Fuck, I could look at that smile forever.

“We’re great, honey,” Shannon calls out to her. “Just welcoming Maverick here to the family.”

Jonsie walks over to us, leaning back into me as my arms close around her. I plant a kiss atop her head as I nuzzle my face into her hair.

“Stop mauling my sister.” Nicky whacks me on the back and I instinctively flip him off before I realize I’m still in the presence of their parents, quickly allowing my arm to drop in embarrassment.

“Oh, don’t feel bad, Maverick.” Mitch approaches. “Nicky could use a healthy dose of what he doles out. Too many people yield to him.”

“Yeah, I don’t have that problem.” I laugh, flipping him off once more.

“Jesus Christ, Pops.” Nicky scrubs a hand over his face. “Don’t encourage the douche.”

Shannon and Mitch’s eyes ping pong between us as their faces bare hints of amusement. Shannon raises a finger, pointing to us as she addresses her husband. “Now, those two… There is a story there I’d be very interested to hear.”

“Not much to tell, Ma,” Nicky answers her. “Rival drug lords.”

“Ha. Ha,” she deadpans. “Very funny, Nick.” She leans up to kiss him on the cheek just as J and I stifle a snort. “Alright, kids. It’s getting to be that time. Dad and I are heading out. Be safe. Have fun. Maverick, good luck with these two. They’re a handful.”

“I only claim responsibility for one of them.” I smile as I pepper J’s cheek with kisses.

After a few more hugs and parting words, J’s parents head off toward the parking lot leaving the three of us behind. It’s getting dark now, the fair illuminated by the bright colored lights adorning the various rides and vendor tents.

“See?” J beams at me, tossing her arms up around my neck. “I told you they’d love you.”

“Yes, Maverick,” the heavily accented voice calls out from behind placing me on high alert, “from where I stood, it seems like they absolutely adored you.”

CHAPTER 49

JONSIE

Maverick spins, shifting me behind him while Nicky advances, positioning himself alongside us. I sidestep Mav so I’m able to see, his hand tightening on my own.

Three men stand before us, one in the center with the remaining two flanking him on either side. If the situation wasn’t so serious, I’d probably laugh at the sight of them. The sidekicks look like something straight out of a bad mafia movie. Built like brick walls, dressed in all black with greasy oil slicked hair, they stand expressionless while their boss, who I assume is Yuri, offers up an ill-intentioned smirk.

Yuri’s shorter than his goons. He can’t be much taller than me. His white button-down shirt is tucked into his jeans, the top few buttons open, exposing his chest hair and hints of tattoos, as well as the gaudy gold chain around his neck. The sleeves of the crisp white fabric are rolled up, exposing more ink on both forearms.

Yuri’s eyes flicker to me, raking over my form as that fucking smirk pulls wider at his face, making my skin crawl. “Joanna Hunter,” he states in his thick Russian accent. “I must admit, your pictures really don’t do you justice. You’re even more lovely in person.”

“Really?” I call out, my brow cocking as I make a show of assessing him. “I would have thought you’d be taller.”

Yuri laughs as he continues to advance, goons in tow, coming to stop when he’s within several feet of us. “She’s got a pretty mouth, Maverick. I can see why you like to fuck it.”

Mav snarls, jerking forward just as Nicky’s hand shoots out to halt his movements. A low chuckle creeps up Yuri’s throat as his gaze lowers to where Nicky’s hand is still planted on Maverick’s chest. “I warned you two what would happen if you aligned against me. Although, considering I can’t find that pretty little redhead right now, I’m gonna have to focus all my efforts elsewhere.” He turns his attention to me once more. “Does it hurt to know your brother cared enough to hide his whore but not you? He must not care if you’re passed around.”

My lips curl back, baring my teeth as the venom laced words fly from my mouth. “My brother knows I don’t run from shit. I’m not scared of you. You think you’re the first man to threaten me?” I step toward him, crowding his space. “The whole I’ll fuck you to get back at your boys act is played out. Been there. Done that. Ask those motherfuckers how well it worked out for them. Oh, wait…” Now I’m the one who’s smirking as Mav rips me back, his arms possessively taking hold before positioning me between him and Nicky. As he does so, my gaze tracks movement off to the side, drawing my attention to Rico positioned up alongside one of the tents. I start slowly scanning the surrounding area, my eyes locating JP, Finn, and T, as well as various other Duke soldiers scattered throughout the crowd. I’m willing to bet more of Mav’s men are here too.

Yuri’s chuckles morph into a steady stream of laughter. “Okay, no really, Maverick, I get it now. I originally did not see what all the fuss was about, but she even has me hard with that speech.” Nicky and Mav simultaneously flex, each of them dying to take a swing. My lip curls up in disgust. “What is the matter, my little shlyukha? Does the thought of being with a real man not do it for you?”

“I’d die before I willingly let one of you pieces of shit touch me.” I spit at the ground, missing Yuri’s boot by no more than an inch.

He glances down, that stupid smirk still firmly situated on his face. “Oh, Joanna. I know for a fact that is not true.” My brows pull together in confusion as I wonder what he’s getting at. “You said rape threats are…what did you call it? Played out? How do you feel about plot twists?”

I’m just about to ask him what the fuck he’s rambling about when Yuri steps to the side and I see him. I feel the life drain from me as my blood runs cold.

“What was it you said to Joanna’s mother, Maverick? ‘I don’t make the same mistakes twice?’ But it seems you have, because if memory serves me correct, this has happened once before. Is T here? He should serve as a reminder of it. It is actually where I got the idea from.” He’s so proud of himself he’s practically preening. “Joanna, allow me to officially introduce you to my nephew, Cabir. Though, I believe you already know one another…intimately.”

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