Page 18 of August 20

Skye deserved more out of life.

Maverick stood and walked toward Brooke. Behind him, Skye silently debated whether to follow him or stay and watch the movie. Queen Elsa of Arendelle started singing, gaining her niece's attention.

She glanced at Maverick, surprised when he sat at the table across from her. He reached into his back pocket and retrieved his wallet. Pulling out several bills, he put the cash in the middle of the table.

It was hard enough to understand what he was doing when he rarely talked, but no one had ever put that much money in front of her. As far as she could make out, it was a stack of one hundred dollar bills. As someone who lived paycheck to paycheck, sometimes that wasn't enough. Seeing cash made her nervous—maybe he stole it.

He tapped the stack of mail and then pointed at the money.

She crossed her arms. Knowing there were bills she had to pay kept her up at night. She was going to be in debt because of him.

She had no job because of him.

She had no way of making money because of him.

He reached into his vest pocket and tossed a book of stamps on the pile of forwarded mail. Understanding dawned on her.

"I'm supposed to pay my bills with the cash?" she asked.

He nodded.

As much as she wanted to refuse because it was Maverick giving her the money, she also wanted to make sure her car payment and MasterCard were paid. She also had to pay the final utility bill from her old apartment.

Usually, she paid her bills online. Because Maverick had her phone, she believed her bills would be late.

Under the table, she worked her hands in confusion. "Why are you doing this?"

He refused to answer.

She looked into the living room at Skye. The movie kept her niece entertained.

There was no reason for Maverick to help her out. He held her hostage, assuming he wanted to gain custody of his daughter. She understood what was happening right in front of her. Whether he waited until Skye completely warmed up to him or kept Brooke around to help take care of Skye, Maverick couldn't just set her free once he no longer needed her.

She'd run straight to the police station and tell them what happened.

He wasn't going to let her go. He'd kill her, just like he killed Janelle. Well, probably not in a meth explosion but something more sinister.

Her eyes burned. And who was going to care if she went missing? Nobody.

When she thought about the slim chances of surviving, her bills no longer mattered. If she was dead, would it matter if she paid her car off?

She looked at Maverick and lifted her chin. "I don’t want your money."

His eyes narrowed. She held his gaze. He wasn't going to dictate every part of her life. She'd hold on fiercely to what she could control—even if it were the wrong decision.

Familiar with debt collectors, having grown up poor, she knew sooner or later someone would knock on the door of her new address and try to collect an outstanding debt.

When someone came to the house, she would do whatever possible to make sure they understood she and Skye were held under duress.

She stood from the table and walked into the living room. Plopping down on the couch beside Skye, she exhaled loudly.

Skye glanced at her and then went back to watching the television. But her niece leaned against her and brought her feet up on the couch, ready to cuddle. Needing comfort, she put her arm around Skye and let her head rest against the cushion.

Fuck you, Maverick. I will never let you know the love of your daughter. She deserves better than you, and I'll make sure she has the best life possible.

Chapter Ten

Skye walked around the couch and stood between Maverick and the television. He patted the cushion beside him.

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