Page 80 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

I convey a look of genuine apology, slightly wincing at the realization that he’s gonna have to deal with Mav’s wrath once I leave. However, Finn’s smile persists, offering a slight shake of his head as though to say don’t worry about it.

“Maverick,” I curtly acknowledge him as I shove past. Dragging Caleb behind me, I place increasing amounts of distance between us and them.

We make it further down the block before Caleb tugs me back so I fall in step beside him.

“What was that about?”

“What do you mean?” I shrug.

“Joanna, do you really expect me to pretend like you don’t hate that guy?”

I breathe a sigh of relief at Caleb’s interpretation of that interaction. I’m really not trying to have to explain Maverick Bishop today.

“Maverick and my brother share similar lines of work. They’ve kind of always been at each other’s throats. Things have gotten tense between them over the years with their dealings.”

“So, he’s a criminal,” Caleb asserts.

I freeze, turning to face him with wide eyes. “What?”

Caleb pins me with a knowing glare. “Joanna, Luc is my best friend. He tells me everything. Did you really think I didn’t know the kind of people his father services? Do you think he didn’t give me the heads-up before you and I got involved who your brother was?”

I look to him, my expression stunned. “You never said anything.”

“Because it didn’t matter.” He scoffs. “I liked you. It’s not your fault who your brother is.”

He doesn’t even bother to attempt to mask his disdain. It’s evident whatever praises he bestowed upon Nicky at dinner several weeks ago were all bullshit.

“Caleb,” I seethe, struggling to keep an even tone. “I want you to listen very carefully to me. If we are going to stay in this relationship, I have some rules. We don’t have to cover them all right now, but let’s get the most important one out of the way. Nicky? You don’t get to pass judgment on him. You have an opinion that paints him in a negative light? You keep it to yourself. Because the things my brother has done for me has earned him unconditional loyalty in my eyes. And tell Luc if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep my brother’s name out of his mouth.”

“Joanna, you can’t have a brother who’s a drug dealer, and then get mad when people call a spade a spade.”

I shake loose of his grasp, my eyes burning into him. “You should go back to the apartment. I’ll grab food to go for us.”

“Joanna.” He steps toward me.

“Go back to the apartment, Caleb!” I raise my voice, pulling away. “I need some space from you right now.”

His hands drop to his sides, eyeing me before he relents with a nod. “Fine. I’ll see you at home.” He stalks off in the opposite direction, back toward where Mav and Finn previously stood.

Inhaling several large breaths, my heart rate begins to steady. Fucking Lucian, though I partially understand his intent. If Daphne was walking into a potentially fucked-up situation, I’d do everything I could to warn her.

“Goddammit,” I whisper to myself.

Mood slightly less chipper, though still eager for tacos, I turn to enter the restaurant. A wave of cool air washes over me as I walk through the door and it’s a welcomed relief. After placing an order with the hostess, who tells me I can wait at the bar, I thank her and head toward the bathrooms to freshen up.

I push inside, making my way to the sink where I splash some cool water onto my face. It’s the heat, it’s gotta be. That coupled with my little run in with Maverick has me all out of whack. I hold my wrists under the cold stream, sending a chill up my arms. The sensation travels up into my neck and down my spine, until I realize that’s not the effect of the water, but someone’s eyes on me.

Motherfucker.

I don’t look up right away, not wanting to clue him in on my awareness. Instead, I shut off the faucet and shake out my hands, slowly considering my options. However, he doesn’t give me much time to do so.

I spin just as I feel him lunge. Using my harnessed momentum, I throw an elbow, which cracks him dead in his jaw. He definitely feels it, but it’s not enough to stun him. Mav grips my shoulders, pinning my back against the wall.

“There she is.” He eyes me hungrily. Releasing my left shoulder, he brings his hand to rub at his chin where I clocked him. “That’s the Jonsie I know.”

My eyes narrow, attempting to ignore the way my body’s sparking to life in his grasp. “What is it with you and this bathroom, hmmm? What do you want, Mav?”

Dragging his nose up the front of my own, Mav lingers close, his voice dripping pure sex. “I want you to tell me if I reached inside those tiny little overalls right now, I’d find your pussy fucking dripping for me.”

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