Page 32 of Maverick

Mabel cocked a brow at me. “You callin’ me old, boy?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I laughed. “Just want to see if you need my help. That floor isn’t as comfortable as it used to be.”

“Good save, and yeah, I could use a hand.”

I helped her to her feet with a grunt, and Sophie and I guided Mabel down the stairs. It was slow going with her muscles tense from sleep, and likely the stress of a potential burglar. “Want something warm to drink?”

“I want you to take care of that,” she shot back as her gaze settled on two bags that rested beside the front door. Bags that weren’t there a few minutes ago. “I’ll get Sophie and me some warm milk with a dash of chocolate in it.” Mabel gave my arm a squeeze and she guided Sophie into the kitchen just as Ruby descended the stairs with a backpack slung over one shoulder.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

She frowned at me as if I was the crazy fucker trying to leave in the middle of the night. “Leaving. Now. Tonight.” She shook her head and, again, her gaze wouldn’t meet mine. “I can’t risk it. Mabel’s been good to my daughter and me, and she doesn’t deserve this. If that was…my trouble, I just can’t. No.”

“It’s the middle of the night,” I insisted, feeling helpless as fuck in the face of Ruby’s tender emotions.

“The perfect time to leave. No one will be expecting that.” She checked each bag, doing a silent inventory of her worldly possessions. “It’s fine. We’ll be fine and out of your hair soon enough.”

A grunt sounded behind me. “Don’t you think I should get to decide what I do and don’t deserve?” Mabel asked, arms folded and her body radiating with attitude. “I didn’t live all these years to let other people make decisions for me.”

Ruby stopped what she was doing and turned her gaze to Mabel. Eyes shining with unshed tears, she rushed to the older woman and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Thank you, Mabel. Thank you for giving us a soft place to land for a while. Thank you for giving Sophie a dose of family. Just…thank you for everything.”

“That sounds like goodbye.”

“It is,” she said as she stepped back. “It has to be.”

“You’re not safer on your own. He’ll use Sophie against you.”

Ruby nodded. “As long as she’s safe.”

“Will she be safe?” Mabel asked kindly. “If something happens to you and he takes her, will she be safe?”

“I can’t leave her,” Ruby whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “If we keep moving, she’ll be safe.”

Mabel gripped her arms and a long moment of communication passed between them, unspoken words that they both seemed to understand. “You can’t run forever.”

“Just long enough that he stops looking. That’s it, and then we’ll be safe.”

“Stay,” my grandmother pleaded.

“I can’t, Mabel. I can’t risk that he’ll hurt you just to hurt me. I won’t.”

“Stay with me.” The words flew out of my mouth before the thought had clearly formed in my mind, but they were out now. “You and Sophie can stay with me. I can keep you safe, I promise. You too, Grandma. I’m not leaving you here tonight.”

Ruby shook her head. “That doesn’t change anything. Same problem, different location.”

“Except I can protect you. I’m armed and I know how to use my weapons.” And men who beat women never fought back against other men. If he did, I would be ready.

Hell, more than ready.

“You’d be a fool to leave,” my grandmother chimed in. Though she didn’t look like she was going anywhere, herself.

“Mabel, I was serious. I want you at my place tonight too.” I said.

“It takes more than an attempted break in to scare an old coot like me, but if it’ll keep you happy, Dylan.”

“What about you?” I asked Ruby.

“That’s a kind offer,” she said in a monotone voice, “but I can’t. It’s time for us to go. We’ve already stayed here too long, I think.”

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