Page 289 of Dark Love

Mom walks away before I can figure out a response.

“You’re supposed to pour me a drink.” Vex… Maverick takes my hand and leads me to the bar in the formal living room.

“What’s going on?” Even though Mom is two rooms away, I whisper. Mothers also hear everything… at least mine always did when we tried to get in trouble. “Why did my mother call you Maverick Steele?”

“Because that’s the name on my license and the deed to my house.”

What? “Your license? Your house? What’s going on Vex?”

“I love you, and I want to spend forever with you. But I don’t ever want to hide from your parents when they come to visit. And I don’t ever not want to be by your side at a party. And I won’t ever not sleep by your side again.”

He… He…

“Vex won’t work for your parents. They won’t be able to accept him. But they love Maverick Steele, the entrepreneur who lives next door. He’s everything they want for their daughter.”

Vex created a whole new person just so that we can be together. “I love you. You didn’t—”

The front door bangs open.

It’s got to be everyone coming back from golf.

My dad will doubtless head straight for the kitchen, and my brother and Monty right for the bar where Vex… Maverick and I are.

Is it too late to hide in the guest house? I walk over and grab Maverick a beer out of the fridge, as well as two more. Maybe if they have beers waiting, they won’t drive me nuts.

“Maverick.” My brother, Basil, walks up to him and offers a fist bump. “Man, we missed you on the course today.”

“You mean you missed winning another grand from him.” Montgomery saunters in. “Prue the prude. You’re looking lovely, as always.”

No.

No.

No.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and takes a beer from my hand. “How have you been beautiful?”

I try to shrug out of his grip, but that rarely works. Montgomery doesn’t take the word no well. “How is your wife?”

Card Shark

Vex

“Maverick.” Basil walks up and fist-bumps me. “Man, we missed you on the course today.”

“You mean you missed winning another grand from him.” Montgomery ambles in. “Prue the prude. You’re looking lovely, as always.”

What did he just call Dahlia!?!

Montgomery slings an arm around her shoulders, and she cringes away.

I’m going to kill him.

Why hasn’t Basil stepped in? Brothers are supposed to protect their sisters.

“How is your wife?” Dahlia asks.

“Don’t be such a prude.” Monty lets her go, which is the only reason he’s still breathing.

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