Page 25 of Maverick

“See?” Chigger said. “Cozy enough, right? I’ll open some windows, let fresh air in. Nova, we can go grab some provisions in the morning, unless you two are starvin’ now?”

She moved her head from side to side. “I’m not super hungry. But I could eat.” She threw me a guilty look, as if uncertain if it was okay to be hungry when I was grieving. I forced a small smile.

Maverick nodded toward the bedrooms at the hall’s end. “You two can bunk in there.” He pointed to the first door. “Me and Chigger will take the other one.” Then he turned to me, his voice low. “Look, I promise I’ll figure out what’s going on. If your mom was targeted, there’s a reason behind it.”

My chest tightened again at the mention of Mom. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Nova and Chigger set off to open windows in the living room, rummage for blankets, and look for anything edible in the cabinets. Not finding a thing, they decided they would run to the small grocer we saw on the way.

I lingered near the bedroom door, and Maverick hovered close. The weight of the day hit me like a tidal wave, and I started to shake, tears welling up again.

“Hey,” he murmured, stepping closer.

I tried to hold it in, but the sobs broke free. All the fear, confusion, and grief flooded out of me. “I can’t… I can’t believe she’s gone,” I gasped, pressing my hands over my face. “We might not have been close, but she was still my mom. I—oh, God…”

He hesitated only a moment before gently pulling me into his arms. His body was solid, warm, the leather of his vest creaking softly as he wrapped me in a secure hold. I clung to him, burying my face against his chest. A spark of comfort seeped through me. It felt oddly safe, even though I hardly knew him.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, one large hand stroking my hair. “Let it out.”

For a second, I closed my eyes, letting the tears flow. A faint aroma of engine oil, sweat, and an unnamed manly fragrance emanated from the biker. Despite everything, my heart fluttered, a traitorous little flip. My mother was dead, and I was standing here craving the scent of a biker who’d been vaguely involved with her.What is wrong with me?

I sniffled, pulling back slightly. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize.”

I swallowed hard, about to retreat into the bedroom, when he reached up to brush a strand of hair from my face. His callused thumb stroked away a tear on my cheek. The simple gesture made my pulse thrum. I looked up into his eyes, and for half a second, everything around us disappeared.

Then, shockingly, hekissedme.

His lips were warm and firm, pressing against mine in a heartbeat that seemed to stretch forever. My mind went blank. I instinctively leaned in, kissing him back. A spark ignited in my chest, something raw and desperate.

But the moment I realized what was happening, I jerked away, heart pounding. “What the hell?” I managed, voice trembling.

He pulled back, expression unreadable. “I’m… sorry,” he said roughly. “I didn’t mean…”

I shook my head, anger warring with the leftover warmth of that kiss. “You were hooking up with mymother.” My voice cracked on the word. “She was all over you. And now…” I wiped my mouth, tears pricking my eyes again. “This is messed up.”

Maverick’s jaw tightened. “Look, it wasn’t like that. Someone sent me to watch over her, keep her out of trouble. I never… Ididn’ttouch her, if that’s what you think.”

I stared at him, trying to sort lies from truth. “You could’ve said something last night. You let me believe, everyone believe, that you were with her.”

A grimace flashed over his face. “I wasn’t sure if her danger story was real, and I had a job to do. I was trying not to blow my cover.” He exhaled sharply. “Diana was a wild one, yeah, but I never laid a hand on her.”

A wave of relief and guilt washed through me. “Mom always lied, so I… You’re saying youdidn’tsleep with her? Not ever?”

He shook his head. “Not even close. Trust me, I’m not into older women. I was just doing a favor for my… boss.” There was bitterness in his tone at that word.

I sighed, covering my face with my hands for a second. “I guess it’s no telling what my mom told people. She might’ve put me in all this danger with her big mouth.”

He stepped closer again, gaze determined. “Then I’ll find out who did this, why, and I’ll stop them from hurting you.”

“Why do you even care?” I asked, voice raw. “You’re some outlaw biker, probably just like her. Why not walk away and save yourself the headache?”

He stared at me for a moment, expression pained. “Because my previous profession was a detective. Before all this. I can’t shake that part of me that needs to see justice done. Even if I’m not the same guy I used to be.”

My eyes widened. “A detective? But you’re…”

“Yeah,” he said, voice dropping. “I was a cop in Columbus, Ohio. Long story. Let’s just say it ended badly, and I ended up here, in the biker world.”

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