Page 21 of Maverick

But as we hurried toward Diana’s tent, I saw the flashing lights of a police cruiser on the horizon. Sure enough, the rally was already abuzz with folks either scattering or stepping forward to gawk. My insides churned. Kingpin had told me to keep her safe, and now she was fucking dead.Shit.

We arrived at the tent. Lexi’s blonde friend, Nova, I recalled, was near tears, trying to give a statement to a pair of uniformed cops who looked overwhelmed by the chaotic scene. A paramedic was crouched inside, presumably confirming that Diana was gone. With each step, my heart hammered harder. I peered inside, glimpsing Diana’s lifeless form. The sharp smell of vomit and stale booze stung my nostrils.

“She’s…” I started, but the words died.

Lexi turned on me, her voice quivering. “I blame you,” she hissed, eyes brimming with tears. “She trusted you, and you vanished.”

I bit back my retort. Now wasn’t the time to argue. People were gawking, the cops were watching. I saw Kingpin inthe distance, a dark scowl on his face, and I figured he was about to blow a gasket. This was all going sideways.

Chapter 12

Lexi

Nothing felt real anymore. Not the gray morning sky, not the cracked sand of the rally grounds, not the police lights flashing behind me as they asked endless questions about my mother. I was stuck in a nightmare loop. Mom wasdead, and no one could tell me how or why. All I got were suspicious looks from the officers, halfhearted condolences, and a million questions I couldn’t answer.

“Miss, can you spell your mother’s full name one more time?” asked the taller cop for what felt like the tenth time. He was young, fresh-faced, and trying way too hard to sound authoritative.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and repeated, “D-i-a-n-a… last name’s basically a guess. Could be Bryan, like mine.” My eyes flicked to his partner, a woman with thinning hair who was scribbling notes on a pad. “She changed her last name a dozen times. She never told me who my father was. She just, shedrifted. She went byDirty Diana. I don’t even know if she has an ID.”

The female cop frowned. “So, you’re not even certain of her legal last name?”

I shook my head, with tears imminent. “She’d call herself Dirty Diana. I don’t think she used her real name in years.”

It was humiliating, standing there in the middle of the dusty rally site, the ground littered with beer cans and cigarette butts. Everyone around me, bikers, groupies, vendors, had paused their partying to stare. Mom’s body had just been carted off, and the cops kept repeating the same questions, over and over.

“Miss,” the female cop pressed gently, “do you have any idea if your mother was taking drugs? Or did she have health issues?”

I struggled to keep my composure. “She drank a lot. Could’ve been pills sometimes, but I don’t know. She’s… She was always…” My voice cracked, so I cleared my throat. “Look, do you think this was an OD, or…?”

She hesitated, glancing at her partner. “We’re not ruling anything out right now. The coroner will have to determine cause of death. We’ll be in touch.”

They took down my phone number and my Dallas address. I gave them Nova’s too. The moment they finally let me go, I felt as though I’d collapsed inside.Mom, what happened to you?

Stepping away from the crime scene, I nearly bumped into a hulking man in a black vest embroidered withKings of Anarchy MC. He had arms the size of tree trunks and a dark beard with some flecks of grey. He looked intimidating, but his gaze was surprisingly kind.

He held up his hands. “You must be Diana’s kid,” he said softly, his deep voice rumbling. “I’m Big Daddy, President of the Kings of Anarchy. I’m real sorry for your loss.”

I nodded, forcing the tears back. “Thanks. I just…don’t know what happened.”

He lowered his gaze, sympathy shining there. “We’ll get to the bottom of it, if we can. This is our rally, and if someone did your mother dirty, we’ll see justice done. You got my word.” He fished in his vest pocket and pulled out a crinkled business card. “Call me if you remember anything. Or if you need help.”

I managed a nod. “Thank you.” I gave him my number too, a sense of relief flickering for a moment. At leastsomeonearound here offered help.

After that, I wanted nothing more than to vanish back to the motel and cry in peace. Nova was already waiting by our car, arms folded protectively over her chest. We didn’t speak as we got in. She just rested her hand on my shoulder in silent comfort. We drove off, leaving behind that hellish rally, the cops, and my mother’s final moment of shame.

When we returned to the motel, I felt a crushing weight of exhaustion. My head pounded, and my eyes burned from crying. We trudged up to our room in silence. I had no idea what to do next. Mom was gone, and the police had no answers. I was stuck hundreds of miles from home in a seedy little motel, reeling with grief.

Inside, the stale air did nothing to soothe me. I flopped onto the edge of the bed, staring at the wall.

Nova perched beside me, rubbing my back. “I’m so sorry, Lex. I wish I knew what to say.”

My throat constricted. “I just… I can’t believe she’s gone.” A tear slipped out, and I wiped it hastily. “She called me for help, Nova. She said she was in trouble. And I…” My voice cracked again. “I couldn’t protect her.”

Nova’s face was grim. “That’s not on you. She made her choices. You came as soon as she asked.”

I nodded, though it didn’t stop the guilt. She was my mom, irresponsible as hell, but my mom. I never got the chance to say a real goodbye. To find out what kind of trouble she’d stirred up this time.

Before I could sink deeper into my despair, there was a knock at the door. Nova and I exchanged glances, both of us were on edge, especially after the cops had asked if we’d heard any threats. “Who is it?” I called from the bed as Nova went to open the door.

---