Page 78 of Maverick

One of the goons flashed his gun under the table, a silent warning for Maverick not to intervene. My stomach twisted at the cruelty of it all.

Please, don’t get yourself shot, I pleaded silently to Maverick.

I saw him notice the flash of metal. He looked at me, heartbreak etched across his face. “You can’t trust them.”

Tears welled again. “I can’t trust anyone, Maverick,” I whispered. “Not after everything I’ve seen and… learned.” My voice shook. I was talking about him, about how he let his wife into the clubhouse, endangered me.

A flicker of pain crossed his eyes. Mark gave a condescending shrug. “It’s done. She’s under Marciano’s protection now. That’s better than your half-assed nonsense, right?” He turned to me, giving me a side hug. “No more running, no more bikers. Just a stable life again. You can come back to work soon, kid.” He winked, his face too close, his tone too familiar. I felt nauseated. But I let it happen, to keep the peace.

Maverick's fists tightened, his jaw twitching. My heart pounded, seeing him on the verge of exploding.

My tears spilled freely now. The goons gathered their documents, murmuring quietly. One gave me a nod, as if to say they were done here.

For a moment, I thought Maverick might fight them all, damn the consequences. But then his shoulders sagged, and he whispered, “If you’re safe, then I guess that’s all that matters. I’ll go.”

He was leaving. He wasn’t even fighting for me. A wave of heartbreak and relief mingled. Maybe it was better this way. No more illusions.

Mark escorted him outside, the door closing behind them.

Mark returned a minute later, alone, a crease his brow. He set the briefcase on the table, glancing at me. I wiped my tears hastily, not wanting him to see me so vulnerable.

Mark exhaled, loosening his tie even more. “Well, that was awkward. I’m sorry you had to see him again.”

I swallowed. “Maverick came here to… never mind. It doesn’t matter. He has a wife, so I guess it’s over anyway.” My chest ached at the memory.

Mark studied me. “Yes, well, from what I gather, that relationship is complicated. But so is the rest of your life. You are, apparently, Alexander Getty’s daughter.”

I pursed my lips. “I… guess. I never met him. So I have no clue.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “He was very powerful, well connected. We handled some of his finances in years past. Now, Marciano’s stepping into that space. Anyway, I see the resemblance now.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “I don’t. I got no fatherly support from him. My aunt raised me, and my mother was always drifting around. He never reached out.”

He shrugged. “Yet somehow, you ended up in the best schools, working at my father’s prestigious firm. Hardly a coincidence.”

My stomach lurched. “What are you implying?”

His lips curved in a smirk. “I suspect your father funneled money your way, or at least ensured you had opportunities. Why else would we hire a nobody fresh out of law school?”

My blood boiled. “A nobody? I scored top marks, I worked my ass off.”

He lifted his hands. “Not insulting you, just pointing out that my father doesn’t hire novices without reason. Maybe heowed your father, or he nudged him. It’s all speculation. Doesn’t matter now.”

I swallowed fury, a swirl of confusion hitting me. Could my father’s blood-soaked money have paid for my tuition? Could the firm have taken me on as a favor to the mob? “I can’t deal with this right now,” I muttered, dropping into a chair, burying my face in my hands.

Mark stepped closer, voice turning smooth again. “Lexi, all I’m saying is, you’re not as random as you think. The Getty name might follow you your whole life, unless you stay under Marciano’s wing. And under my watch.”

My shoulders hunched. “Your watch?”

He flashed a confident grin. “Someone has to ensure those men keep their word. And it won’t be hard, considering I will see you at the office. Not that I haven’t noticed how beautiful you are, before, but that’s a separate matter.” He wagged his eyebrows suggestively.

A flush of disgust and unease prickled my skin. Is he hitting on me? Now? “So now that I’m important, you’re interested?”

He laughed softly. “I’ve always been interested, but you seemed aloof. Too innocent. Also, mixing business and pleasure is tricky. But these circumstances changed everything. We can get to know each other, see how we handle this… arrangement.”

I folded my arms. “I’m sure I don’t want that.”

He just shrugged, stepping back. “We’ll see, Ms. Bryan. For now, I’ll let you settle. I’ll see you at work soon. Don’t forget, the big project with Mendez & Associates is due next week.”

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