Page 38 of August 20

He had one more thing to say, and because the pain consumed his throat, neck, and chest, he whispered, "You mean something to my daughter. Because she wants you in her life, you live. Obey me, and we won't have any problems."

As they walked up the courthouse steps, he picked up her hand and held it as a lover would on their way to get their marriage license.

Three more days.

Cord would marry them on August 20th.

He paused at the top of the steps. August 20th. Fuck.

Chapter Twenty One

Jagger and Dio stood at the door, blocking the exit. Brooke held onto Skye's hand, hiding the fact she was petrified.

Maverick had one of his biker brothers marrying them. She wondered if it was legal, but she'd gone to the courthouse. She'd signed for the marriage permit.

Cord, dressed in his leathers with his long hair slicked back and in a ponytail, held a Havoc Lincoln Motorcycle Club patch in his hand. Though, when he spoke he used the term Havlin.

The biker took her hand and placed it on top of the patch. Then Maverick placed his hand on top of hers. The heat of his palm seared her.

"Say it," murmured Maverick.

"I do," she whispered.

Beside her, oblivious to the tension in the living room, Skye swung Brooke's arm as if today was the best day of her life.

"I now pronounce you man and wife." Cord clasped Maverick's hand. "In front of me, the president of Havlin Motorcycle Club, Seaglass Cove, Oregon Chapter, and your witnesses, you can kiss your ol' lady, brother."

Brooke gasped in surprise. Having thought of nothing but getting married to Maverick for the last three days, she never thought about him sealing the arrangement with a kiss.

The marriage was in name only. Nothing else was required of her.

She'd asked Maverick what he expected her to do when he forced her to marry him, and he shook his head. He never once said he'd kiss her or expect some affection.

How could he? He'd held her hostage for months.

All the marriage meant to him was getting back into Skye's life because he probably feared he'd never gain custody of her if he went through the court system like a normal person.

Instead, he made his own rules.

All his little tests since he stormed into the house and kidnapped them were to see if she'd back away from Skye. She wouldn't take his money. She would obey him in public because she feared never seeing her niece again.

He'd blackmailed her into marrying him because it was the only way she'd keep custody of Skye. The only family member she had.

There was nothing romantic about what they were doing.

He leaned toward her. She put her hand on his chest, holding him back. Her temples pounded. Others were in the room watching them, knowing everything was fake—except the legal marriage.

Maverick's gaze narrowed at the resistance, and then he hooked his hand around the back of her neck and dragged her to him. She opened her mouth to protest, and he captured her lips, cutting off her objection.

Her heart hammered against her chest. Firm lips held her captive. Then, they weren't so hard. He'd softened his mouth. His lips caressed her, coaxing her to open. Tears of arousal burned in his eyes despite her objection.

She hated the feelings he brought out of her. He tugged her one way and pushed her the other. He loved Skye and hated her.

He had all the freedom, and she was stripped of her previous life.

Tottering on the edge of the cliff, much like the home she lived in overlooking the Pacific Ocean, she fisted his leather vest. She held on because it was the only thing she could do without dying.

Abruptly, Maverick pulled back. She stared into his eyes as the seconds pulsed through her veins at what she'd gotten into.

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