Page 70 of Maverick

“Now you’re after Lexi?”

“And you’re protecting her? You’re as much as a fool as Kingpin.”

“She’s done nothing to you. She doesn’t want your man or your shit life.”

Sky laughed bitterly. “Sheexists. She’sblood, Maverick. That’s enough. We’ll find her eventually and eliminate her.”

Eliminate? I was struck by how cruel Sky’d become. My mind whirled. If Lexi was still inside, the mob would shoot her on sight. “Where is she?” I growled, trying to maintain composure. “Sky, if you’ve touched her…”

A bullet ricocheted off the wall near my head. One of Sky’s men fired a warning shot. “Enough talk,” he hissed. “Kill him, Boss?”

Sky hesitated. A ghost of old sentiment flickered in her eyes. “No,” she said softly. “I owe him at least a mercy. Let’s go.” She jerked her head, and the two men flanked her as they retreated down the hall. Another wave of goons covered their escape, exchanging gunfire with Taz and Sarge.

I snarled, popping off two shots at the men who were covering her. One bullet grazed a mobster’s arm, making him stagger. Before I could line up a fatal shot, a different thug fired, clipping my shoulder. Pain seared through me, knocking me back. I cursed, pressing a hand to the bleeding wound. Fuck. Not again.

By the time I steadied my gun, Sky and her entourage had disappeared through the side exit. A wave of fury and betrayal surged. I should chase them… kill her for what she’s done. But my vision blurred from the pain. The corridor raged with gunfire as more Road Monsters closed in.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the mob’s assault fizzled. They must have realized Lexi wasn’t here, that this was a dead end. The survivors retreated, leaving half the clubhouse in ruins. I collapsed against the wall, breathing hard. Taz rushed over, calling for help. My shoulder burned, blood trickling down my arm.

“Shit, Mav, you good?” Taz growled, crouching beside me.

I nodded weakly. “Just a graze.” My mind spun with the terrifying revelation that Sky had orchestrated everything. “Where’s Lexi?” I croaked, heart pounding. “Is she safe?”

Taz frowned. “She left. I saw her sneaking out with Nova and Chigger earlier. She’s not here. You lucked out, brother.”

Relief and sorrow flooded me. So she was gone, not caught in the crossfire.Thank God.But also…She’s gone.She left me, didn’t even say goodbye. Maybe she’d blocked my number, too, which explained why she wasn’t answering.

I stumbled to my feet, pressing my palm to the wound. Sarge was yelling for men to gather the injured. A few bodies lay on the floor. Getty’s who hadn’t made it out alive. One of them jerked, but there was no saving him, his brains half out. I put a bullet in him as mercy, thinking about how Sky spared me.

The next time we met, I wouldn’t repay the favor.

I pulled out my phone, ignoring the pain in my shoulder as Taz tried to patch me with a rough bandage. Dialing Lexi’snumber.Call ended.It didn’t even go to voicemail, just a dead line.She blocked me.My lungs tightened.

I dialed Kingpin next, hands trembling with anger and heartbreak. He picked up on the third ring. “What?”

“Sky fucked us,” I spat. “She led Getty’s goons right to Lexi’s location. Good thing Lexi already left, but half our guys are injured. Sky got away with the mob. She’s not blackmailed. She’s working with them.”

Kingpin cursed, “Fucking wacko, bitch. I suspected she might be lying, but not to this extent.”

I inhaled sharply. “Now I gotta find Lexi and fix this shit. Sky’s on the loose, and she’s gunning for Lex. You better watch your back, Kingpin. Sky might come for you and Eve, too.”

He grunted. “If she tries, she’ll find a bullet waiting. As for Diana’s secrets on me, they probably died with her. No use shaking down the daughter any longer.”

“You expect me to leave her for dead?”

“I never said that. You think I want Ralph Getty to win? You do what you need to do. Getty’s true heir. Maybe she’ll come in handy in the future.”

“Fuck you, Kingpin. I won’t let you use Lexi in your twisted game.”

“Not even if it keeps her breathing? Keep me posted.” He hung up abruptly.

I shut my eyes, letting Taz finish taping a makeshift bandage to my shoulder. My mind swam with guilt. Lexi had been right. I should’ve listened to her. I was a fool to trust Sky. I sank onto a broken chair, blood dripping down my torn sleeve. I might’ve just unleashed more hell on Lexi.

Shoving aside the agony, I stood. “Taz, get Pep to patch me up better. I gotta go find her.”

He lifted a brow. “You’re insane. You need rest.”

I glared. “I’m not letting Lexi face this alone. The mafia is after her, and Sky’s out there, after her. She has no clue how deep the threat runs.”

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