Page 65 of August 20

Maverick's phone vibrated. He looked at the screen and accepted the call. Everyone in Havlin texted him if they had something to say, knowing he couldn't talk back to them. But Brooke was at her new job for the first time.

"Hey," he answered.

"Remember, you need to be at the school in five minutes."

"I'm here."

Brooke's sigh of relief came over the call. "You don't have the Harley, right? I don't want Skye riding on the back."

"Nope." He coughed.

"I won't keep you." She paused. "You're bringing Skye here, though, right?"

"Mm hm." His throat spasmed.

Okay, see you in a few minutes." She disconnected the call.

All morning, she'd gone through the instructions on how to pick up Skye after school. As if he hadn't been beside her every day since school started.

He exited the car and leaned against the door as the school bell rang.

Last week, he thought he'd lost her. She'd proven to him that the first chance she got to go out on her own, she wasn't going to send the police after him.

This week, she trusted him with Skye alone—for the first fucking time.

He wouldn't do anything to ruin his relationship with his daughter.

Skye hopped down the steps and hit the sidewalk, looking down the line of cars parked at the curb. He raised his hand, getting her attention.

She ran, only to get stopped by one of the teachers and told to walk. As soon as the woman turned her back, Skye ran again.

Maverick fought the grin. His daughter was a rebel. She was strong and opinionated. He could see now that Brooke heavily influenced his daughter, and he wouldn't have it any other way. A female needed that added strength to protect herself in a hard world.

Brooke had done a good job protecting his daughter. He wanted Brooke's influence in Skye's life.

Skye ran straight to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He rubbed her back, happy to see her.

His daughter looked up at him without letting go. "Guess what?"

He raised his brows.

"There's no school on Monday." Skye shrugged out of her backpack and unzipped the bag. "Aunt Brooke works on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."

She thrust a piece of paper toward him. He read the announcement. Apparently, it was Teacher Inservice Day.

"We'll have the whole day together." Skye picked up her pack and grabbed his hand. "We can do whatever we want."

He leaned down and shook his head, reminding her he wasn't the easy parent. Skye stuck out her lower lip and threw her arms around his neck. He straightened, holding his daughter. Okay, maybe he was easy.

Opening the back door of the Honda, he stepped back and waited until she buckled herself into her booster seat. Then, he got in the driver's seat, throwing her pack in the front seat.

"I'm hungry," said Skye.

He tapped his wrist, telling her to wait, and pulled away from the curb.

Skye yawned loudly. He looked in the rearview mirror. Often, she'd fall asleep on the short ride to the house. Now, she would need to get used to the new schedule with Brooke working.

It wasn't his choice for her to earn money, but it was important to Brooke. Since she hadn't used that visit to the coffee shop to escape him and was close to the clubhouse, and he could work while she worked, he'd let her know it was possible. Together, they would make sure Skye was taken care of.

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