Page 73 of Maverick

She shrugged. “It served its purpose. I can get it removed, remember?”

I wanted to drop to my knees and tell her Sky deceived me again. That she was simply leading the mob to Lexi to kill her. But I swallowed the words. I couldn’t admit I put her in so much danger. Especially in front of her hero, Mark. And if I told her I wasn’t with Sky, would it even change anything? Instead, I nodded stiffly. “If you’re safe, that’s all that matters,” I forced out, bitterness coating every word. “I’ll… I’ll be on my way, then.”

“I’ll see him out,” Mark said coolly, jerking his chin at me. He was acting like he owned the place.

Lexi gave a trembling nod, wiping her eyes. “Maverick…” Her voice cracked. Then she just trailed off, turning away, letting Mark guide her further into the kitchen. My entire chest seized as he positioned her safely away from me, like he thought I might grab her and run away.

I wouldn’t lie. The thought had crossed my mind.

Mark escorted me to the front door, stepping onto the small porch. Outside, one goon lit a cigarette, leaning against the big SUV. The other opened the driver’s side door, talking quietly into his phone. Mark turned to me, arms folded. I noticed the flicker of triumph in his eyes.

“You see,” he said softly. “Lexi’s in good hands. She doesn’t need your brand… of justice anymore.”

My jaw was clamped shut. “You might think you’re saving her, but these mob connections aren’t a guarantee of safety. If you or these suits hurt her, if Marciano pulls some shit, I’ll kill you.” My voice trembled with barely leashed rage.

He gave a thin smile. “Maybe you don’t know who I am. Mark Martin, of Martin and Sons. The, Matthew Martin’s son.”

I snorted. “Who’s he, the Pope? I don’t give a goddamn. You’re no one in my world. You hurt her and you’ll be dead.”

He smirked. “I wouldn’t hurt her or lie to her like some lowlife thug.” He was digging at me. “She’s a valuable asset to the firm. We look after our own. And Marciano finds her… interesting. But that’s not your concern. She’s out of the Getty crosshairs now. That’s the best outcome, right?”

I studied him, hating every inch of that smug face. “She’s more than an asset. She’s a woman who’s been through hell. Keep that in mind. And watch your back. I’ll be watching you.”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her, better care than you did, apparently.” He stepped closer, voice dropping. “She’s done with bikers, but if you come around messing up her arrangement, you’ll just drag her deeper into trouble. Get her killed. Think about that.”

My fists clenched. Chigger hovered a few yards away, eyes flicking between me and Mark, ready to intervene if I lostmy shit. I forced a measured breath. “If I hear a whisper that she’s in danger, from you, from Marciano, from anyone, I’ll come back and burn your entire operation to the ground. You got that?”

Mark’s expression stayed cold, but a flicker of caution showed in his eyes. “Understood. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. For her sake.”

With that, he turned and strode back inside, presumably to rejoin Lexi. My chest ached, imagining him wiping her tears. That should be me. But apparently, my world had no place in her life anymore.

I glanced at Chigger, who exhaled a long breath. “You done here, brother?”

I nodded slowly, hands trembling at my sides. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Wanna blow off some steam? We could knock that stiff’s teeth in,” Chigger suggested grimly.

I declined with a headshake. “She’d hate me more. Doesn’t matter. She’s safe, or so they claim.”

Chigger grimaced, glancing at the SUV. “You buying that?”

My mouth twisted. “No. But if Lexi’s decided she trusts them more than me, not much I can do.” The words tasted like acid. “Let’s get out of here.”

He bowed, and we went back to our bikes. I felt like I was dragging my feet. I looked back once at the house, half-hoping to see Lexi run out after me. Of course, she didn’t. The porch remained empty. The black SUV’s door slammed, one ofthe goons climbing behind the wheel, a silent reminder that the mafia’s tendrils had claimed her now.

My Harley roared, and I nearly cried. I lost her. She’d told me to my face, no more clubs, no more me. The distressing noise she made the other night when I tried to force her to be with me echoed in my ears. I couldn’t make her hate me more than she already did. My heartbreak seared deeper than any bullet wound. But I couldn’t force her to see reason. If she believed she was safer in the suits’ arms, who was I to stop her? My entire life was a rolling disaster, and like every woman before her, Lexi wanted off the ride.

As we pulled away from the curb, the house lights faded in the rearview mirror, leaving me with a hollow ache in my chest. Sky tricked me. Lexi hates me. The Syndicate probably wants me dead. There was only one path left. Keep riding. Keep breathing. I’d lick my wounds and plan my next move.

I sped down the street, ignoring Chigger’s concerned glances. The night wind slapped my face, but it couldn’t numb the agony ripping apart my insides. You’re free, Lexi, I thought bitterly. Free of me, free of this life. If that was what she truly wanted, I wouldn’t stand in her way.

Chapter 38

Lexi

I stared at the battered Road Monsters' clubhouse, my heart in a knot after I slipped into Chigger’s truck. Nova was already in the passenger seat, twisting around to watch me with concern. The engine idled, rumbling softly. I clutched my duffel bag tighter, nerves rattling like loose marbles in my gut.

I was done. Done with the violence, done with the heartbreak, done with the entire MC world. But leaving meant leaving him, and my heart couldn’t decide which hurt more, staying in the same building as him and his wife, or walking away to protect my sanity.

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