Page 55 of Maverick

But the threats still loomed. Ralph Getty, Kingpin’s possible treachery, the murky role Sky played in all this. I needed to wrap up these loose ends before they strangled me. For once, I didn’t want to run. I wanted to fight. Fight for Lexi, for a shot at a life that wasn’t overshadowed by ghosts.

As her breathing evened out, signaling she’d fallen asleep in my arms, I watched the shadows dancing on the ceiling. My mind churned with possibilities. Eve said she’d do some digging, so I’d wait for her call. Then I’d decide if I needed to crush the Music City Syndicate or just slice off a piece of it.One way or another, I’ll keep Lexi safe.

I pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.If she can survive this, maybe we can both find peace.Maybe I can be the man she deserves, the man I thought I’d never be again. A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth, a warm sense of purpose settling in mychest.Damn straight. Let them come. Let them try. I won’t let her down.

With that final thought, I let the exhaustion pull me under, my arm tight around the woman who’d unexpectedly reawakened my heart.

Chapter 30

Lexi

I woke to the sound of Maverick’s husky breathing as he counted off each sit-up with quiet determination. My eyelids fluttered and I stretched, letting out a soft moan. The thin mattress of his clubhouse bed squeaked under me. I’d slept deeper than I had in days, comforted by his presence, yet still half-worried the world might collapse again.

My movement must’ve caught his attention because, in the next instant, Maverick’s voice rumbled through the small space. “Morning, princess,” he said, breath coming fast from the exertion. “About time you woke up.”

I blinked, propping myself up on an elbow. He was on the floor, shirtless, sweat slicking his chest and arms. He’d been doing sit-ups with an intensity that made my stomach clench. There was something mesmerizing about the way his muscles moved. “You’re up early,” I murmured.

He gave a wolfish grin, finishing one more sit-up before turning to me. “Did you forget I made a promise? That once I got back, I'dclaimyou properly?”

I felt a flush creep over my cheeks. “I… I thought maybe you changed your mind. Yesterday you didn’t… you know.”

He pushed himself up, crossing the room in a few strides. His eyes flared with an intensity that sent a shiver down myspine. “Did you really think I’d changed my mind?” He leaned over the bed, bracing a hand on either side of me. “You’re owed a special night, Lexi. And I’m not about to do it here in this dingy-ass clubhouse. You deserve better. We’ll make a reservation.”

A nervous laugh tumbled from my lips. “You’re telling me you want us to go to a fancy hotel to… make the property patch real?” My voice wavered, half with excitement, half with nerves.

He smirked, leaning closer. “Hell yes. I’m no gentleman, but I’m not some animal, either. I want to do this right. And if I gotta prove it to you, I can manage that. Besides…” His grin turned crooked. “I gotta put out. Otherwise, how’s that patch gonna mean anything?”

A bubble of laughter escaped me. “You’re ridiculous.”

He grazed the tip of his nose against mine, his breath warm. “Damn right. But I’m your ridiculous now.” Then he pulled back, standing upright. “I’ll go grab us some breakfast. When I get back, we’ll find a place to hole up for a night. Someplace nicer than this clubhouse.”

I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “That sounds… amazing, actually.”

“Good. Be ready.” He grabbed his cut from the back of a chair and shrugged it on. “I’ll be back soon.”

Once Maverick slipped out, I realized how quiet the room felt without him. I stretched again, then grabbed my phone from the nightstand. A text from Nova sat unread:

Nova:Where are you, girl? You haven’t updated me in ages. I’m worried. Chigger took off on some job. Haven’t heard from him in a day.

My heart twisted with guilt at her concern. I typed back:

Me:I’m safe, promise. Can’t tell you where, but I’m fine. Sorry for not texting sooner.

Me:You okay?

The little dots popped up, then her response came:

Nova:I guess. Bored. Missing Chigger. He said it’s club business. I know better than to ask questions. Anyway, I did what you asked with your mom’s remains…

Grief pinched my chest. “Thanks for dealing with Mom,” I whispered, remembering the day she died in that tent. My thumb hovered over the keys.

Finally, I typed:

Me:Thank you for handling everything. Did you pick out an urn?

She answered fast:

Nova:Yes, a really pretty one with some sort of sparkly design. Not too gaudy. She’d like it.

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