Page 52 of Maverick

“Soon-to-be ex,” I added with a snort-laugh.

“Either way, you do what you have to do. I’ll be fine.”

“But what about—”

“My meds and groceries? Asher showed me this grocery app where nice young men deliver it straight to my door, same thing with my prescriptions. And best of all? Brenda is going to put her duplex on the market and move into my guestroom. We’re gonna be roommates and take care of each other, she hated rattling around that big old house on her own.”

“Really?” I gripped her hands tighter.

“That’s the thing about rekindled friendships, it’s like picking up right where you left off. And when or if the time comes when we need professional help, we’ll get it. So when you and Sophie come visit, it’ll be just that. A visit.”

“Wow, you have it all figured out.”

“That’s what family does, Grace. We do what’s needed to make life easier when it’s especially hard.”

“I’m sorry I brought this trouble to your doorstep.”

“None of this is your fault. If that man was capable of acting like a regular human being instead of an ape, none of this would be happening. But don’t worry, as much as I hate to admit it, Dylan and his friends will take care of him real good.”

“I have no doubt,” I admitted. “But I don’t want anyone to get in any trouble because of me.” The last thing I needed was one of Maverick’s buddies going to jail for hurting Trent. “I just want him to go away.”

“Well, that would be ideal,” she said, and patted my hand. “But you and I both know that’s not likely to happen.”

“Thanks for being so understanding, Mabel.” The last thing I wanted was to leave her or to stop working, but Trent had—once again—screwed up my plans.

“I expect to see you once a week for lunch, though. I’m excited to see how things play out with you and Dylan.”

I frowned and shook my head. “I think you have the wrong idea about us, Mabel.”

“Nope.” She flashed a wide grin. “I pegged you two almost instantly. But I’ll keep my mouth shut and let you figure it out for yourselves.”

I ignored the gleam in her eyes. Nothing was happening between us.

Nothing.

Chapter 27

Maverick

I paced the length of the clubhouse while my brothers stared at me in varying degrees of concern. I understood their worry because I was one of the most laidback brothers. I didn’t let my emotions control me because I didn’t get too invested in anything beyond the club. Women were a way to spend a few hours, not something to get crazy over. Not something to get invested in, to the point of distraction.

“You ready to talk yet?” Diesel’s deep voice was even and calm, no trace of what he was thinking about my behavior.

“That fucking asshole. Grace’s fucking husband.”

“There’s been no trace of him,” Slate assured me. “Maybe he left town.”

“He didn’t.” I stopped pacing just long enough to cut a dark glare at my brother before I returned to pacing, desperate to burn off some of this anger in a productive way.

“He’s not—” Slate began.

“I know what the fuck you’re saying,” I told him. “But the asshole wouldn’t leave without Grace and Sophie.”

“I agree,” Slate said calmly, like I was some sort of scared animal. “But he’s probably lying low now that he knows Grace isn’t alone. I’m expanding my search to the greater Vegas area just to be sure.”

“He’s still here, I know it.” Hell, if Grace were mine, I wouldn’t give up so easily either. “Have you checked those unincorporated towns around the city?”

“Can’t, sorry.” Slate shrugged. “Those towns are pretty much off the grid, and not just figuratively. I promise you, brother, that as soon as that fucker sets foot into the twenty-first century, I’ll have him. We’ll have him,” he amended.

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