Page 77 of Maverick

I jumped out of my seat. Chigger cursed, reaching for his waist. But one of the men flashed his piece threateningly,making it clear he’d shoot if we resisted. My blood ran cold. This is happening all over again?

Mark wrapped an arm around me, an oddly possessive gesture. “Easy,” he murmured, as I tensed. “These are Marciano’s men. They’re here to make sure we finalize the contract peacefully.”

I stared at him in horror. “You brought armed thugs to a house in the suburbs?”

He shot me a level look. “It’s the mob, Lexi. They don’t do polite house calls. This is the best I could do. Please sit.”

The two goons took positions by the walls. One had the dead-eyed stare of a career killer, the other was scanning the house for threats. Chigger hovered in the corner, outnumbered and outgunned.

I was so upset, I could barely see straight. This was so messed up. “So… what do they want me to sign?”

Mark slid the folder onto the table. “A contract stating you won’t stake any claim to Alexander Getty’s empire, or affiliate with any group who might. In return, Marciano ensures you’re left alone, protected, from Ralph or any Getty associates.” He paused, lowering his voice. “He’s also willing to pay you a considerable sum to keep quiet about your lineage unless he says otherwise.”

I stifled a sob. “He’s using me to get leverage?”

Mark shrugged.

“My mother died at their hands, and now I’m supposed to… sign away my rights and for dirty money?”

One of the goons spoke up. “You either sign, or your friend here, and any biker scum you know might meet an early grave. We clear?”

I glanced at Chigger in alarm, but Mark tightened his grip on my shoulder.

“Let Chigger go, and I’ll sign.”

They waved him out of the house with their guns.

“Lexi,” Mark whispered, meeting my eyes. “This is the only way. They’ll kill you and everyone you care about if you don’t. I tried to get a better deal. This is it.”

Shuddering, I sank into the chair, tears spilling. “Fine. Give me the pen,” I managed, my voice shaking like a leaf.

Mark nudged the pen toward me, flipping to the last page. My thoughts whirled. Maverick would want me to fight. But Maverick was nowhere to be found. He had his own problems. And he’d effectively broken me. Besides, he had his wife back, the woman who had been tattooed on his arm. I had learned so much, like Sky had a son that Maverick loved, too.

If anything, I was a roadblock for him. I stood in the way of having his wife back, his lost love, a family, even. And we barely knew each other. He said there had been countless women. I figured I was just one of the many. Many one-night stands. God, there had even been another woman who he took to the Road Monsters' clubhouse. Thinking of it, it all became so clear. I was nothing to that biker. Maybe this was my only chance at living peacefully.

I scrawled my signature on the first page, tears dropping onto the paper. The goons nodded. One of them pulled out a phone, texting someone. “It’s as good as done,” he muttered to the other. They holstered their guns, tension easing.

Mark rubbed my back, a gesture I found both comforting and intrusive. But it did nothing to erase my grief and anger.

I was signing my life to these monsters, but what choice did I have?

Mark pointed to more pages for me to initial, but suddenly, the door slammed open again, and my heart leaped into my throat. Maverick.

My gaze snapped to him, battered and furious, shoulder bandaged, eyes wild with panic.

God, how did he find me?

Chapter 40

Seeing him broke my heart. For a split second, I wanted to run to him. But the memory of his betrayal, of Sky, came crashing back. No. I stayed there, shaking like a leaf. Not to mention, they were gonna kill him if I made a move.

He took in the scene, me with Mark’s arm around me, two goons stashing weapons under their jackets, a contract on the table. His face contorted with rage and heartbreak. “What’s going on?” he demanded, stepping forward. “Lexi, are you okay?”

Mark stood, blocking him. “You need to leave,” he said smoothly. “This is private legal business. Everything’s settled.”

Maverick glared, ignoring Mark’s stance. “I’m not going anywhere without an explanation.”

I inhaled shakily. “It’s… it’s fine now. I signed a deal with Marciano’s men. They’ll protect me from Ralph and the Getty clan. I don’t need you or the MC. This is better.”

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