Page 42 of Maverick

“I have a plan, or something close to it. We’re going to Kansas.”

She stiffened slightly. “Kansas?”

“Yeah. The Road Monsters MC has a clubhouse there, somewhere safe, with men I can trust to keep watch on you while I do what needs to be done. I can’t guard you twenty-four-seven and also track down whoever’s gunning for you. So, we’ll hole up at the clubhouse. Then I start pulling strings, calling in favors, sniffing out leads.”

She was quiet for a moment, then she nodded. “All right. I’ll trust you.”

My chest squeezed. “Thank you.” I merged onto a busier street.

Chapter 23

We didn’t make it out of Texas that night. I wasn’t about to ride hundreds of miles in the dark with the possibility of more ambushes. We found ourselves in yet another no-name motel off the interstate. If I had a dollar for every seedy place I’d bunked in the last few years, I could’ve bought one by now.

The desk clerk barely glanced at us, accepting cash without question. We got a room with two double beds. Neither of us said much as we entered, flicking on a single lamp. The day’s chaos weighed heavily.

Lexi sagged onto the first bed, burying her face in her hands. “This is insane,” she muttered, voice muffled. “I thought maybe going to my apartment would help us find answers. Instead, we nearly got killed again.”

I let out a humorless laugh, tossing my jacket onto a chipped dresser. “Welcome to my world, princess.”

She lifted her head, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “A world where everyone’s out to kill you?”

I gave a half-shrug. “Sometimes. Listen… we’ll figure this out. Maybe in Kansas I’ll get leads on who’s behind these attacks. Might not even be that Grinder guy, just some other jerk with a grudge. One way or another, I’ll find them.” My voice went harder than I intended. I realized how furious I was that they’d targeted her again.

Her expression softened. “Thank you. For everything.”

I exhaled. “Don’t thank me yet.” Then I nodded at the beds, changing the subject. “We should get some sleep. Tomorrow’s a long ride.”

She glanced at the two beds, then back at me. “Yeah. I guess so.”

I hesitated, part of me wanting to comfort her physically, hold her, maybe stroke her hair until she drifted off. But I sensed she needed space after the assault. “If you need anything during the night… just wake me,” I said quietly.

She nodded, mustering a small smile. “Same goes for you.”

With that, she slipped off her shoes and climbed under the covers, still wearing her jeans and T-shirt. I flicked off the overhead light and sank onto the other bed, boots still on, my mind too wired to sleep easily. But eventually, exhaustion claimed me, and the room faded into darkness.

I woke before dawn, my internal clock permanently tuned to an early schedule. Stretching my sore muscles, I decided to do a quick workout, push-ups, crunches, anything to clear my head. The day ahead promised a long ride and God knows what danger.

I started with push-ups, arms pumping as I tried to regulate my breathing and keep my mind from swirling with anxiety about last night’s bullets. Halfway through my second set, a soft gasp made me pause. I glanced up to see Lexi sitting on the edge of her bed, hair tousled, eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Good morning, princess,” I murmured, continuing my push-ups.

She blinked, a shy smile curving her lips. “Good morning. That’s… quite a view.”

I smirked, finishing the set and rolling onto my back for a moment. “Didn’t realize I had an audience.”

She laughed softly. “Sorry, I guess I’m not used to seeing a half-naked man doing push-ups in my motel room.” Her gaze traveled over my chest and abs. I felt my skin warm under her scrutiny.

“Better than a bullet in your window, right?” I quipped.

She grimaced. “Definitely. I can handle a man in boxers over gunmen any day.”

I stood, running a hand through my sweaty hair. “You want the shower first, or should I go?”

She yawned. “Go ahead. I’ll freshen up after.”

I grabbed my old shirt that I’d washed in the sink and hung to dry on the air conditioner, heading for the bathroom. Then I paused, turning back to her. “Princess?”

“Yeah?” She looked up, half-lidded eyes still hazy from sleep.

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