Page 79 of Maverick

I scowled, offended by the abrupt shift to everyday business. “Sure. I’ll be there,” I snapped. “You can see yourself out.”

He gave a mock bow, then headed for the door, making a quiet phone call.

I just signed away my autonomy to these scumbags.

Mark paused in the doorway, glancing back. “Lexi, you may not fully grasp my world, but you belong in it more than you realize. It’s in your blood.”

My throat constricted. He left, the door clicking shut. I stood there, alone in the quiet living room, trembling. In my blood? The thought made me ill. I wanted no part of a mob life. But that’s apparently the world I was born into.

A sob tore from my chest. I collapsed onto the couch, tears streaming, mind whirling with heartbreak over Maverick’s abrupt departure. Part of me raged that he hadn’t fought harder, hadn’t thrown me over his shoulder and declared he wouldn’t let these assholes touch me. But another part whispered that I’d forced him away. I told him to back off. I told him I was done.

He listened.

Now, no one was left to help me. Nova was at work, Chigger had vanished, maybe he got spooked by the suits?

I was truly alone.

Burying my face in a cushion, I let out a muffled scream, the night’s shadows long across the floor. No one came. No one cared. This is my reality now, hush money, mafia deals, and heartbreak.

I must’ve drifted into a restless doze on the couch because the next thing I knew, I heard the front door open.Streetlights streamed in, revealing a tall figure in the threshold. My heart lurched, hoping maybe it was Maverick after all. But the shape was slender. Nova.

“Lex?” she called softly, flipping the light switch.

I blinked, straightening. My eyes felt swollen from crying. “Nova?” My voice cracked.

She set her bag down, frowning. “What happened? You look worse than before.”

I gave a hollow laugh. “Mark came by. And some mob goons. I signed a deal. Maverick showed up too.”

Nova’s eyes went round. “What?” She hurried over, kneeling by the couch. “Explain. All of it.”

So I did, haltingly, voice vibrating. I told her how Mark was apparently some big shot at the firm, with direct lines to Marciano, who might be Grinder, or at least part of that network. He’d arranged a hush money contract to keep the mob from killing me. Maverick tried to intervene, but I shut him down. Then Mark flirted, insinuating I was special because of my father’s lineage. Nova’s jaw dropped further with each sentence.

“Holy. Shit,” she breathed. “That’s insane. Lex, you basically sold your soul to the devil.”

I buried my face in my hands. “I know. But I saw no other way. They threatened to kill me, you, or Chigger, everyone I care about. Maverick, too. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Nova plopped onto the couch beside me. “Damn. This is all so messed up. But… maybe it’s safer, right? They said they’d protect you?”

A shaky exhale left my lips. “They said so. Mark claims it’s the best solution. But at what cost? I’m effectively a puppetfor them, bound to never claim the Getty name or do anything they don’t like unless they want to use me.”

She let out a low whistle. “That’s heavy.” Then she hesitated. “And Maverick… how did he take it?”

A hollow ache clenched my chest. “He saw Mark holding me, realized I’d chosen this route. He left. Didn’t fight, didn’t push. He just… walked away.”

Tears threatened again, but I forced them down. “Maybe it’s for the best,” I whispered. “He has a wife. She nearly got me killed.”

“Are you sure he wants to be with her after all that?”

“He… he didn’t deny it. So, what am I clinging to, anyway?”

Nova rubbed my back. “I’m so sorry, Lex. You loved him, didn’t you?”

I swallowed. “Yeah, I did. Part of me… still does.” My voice broke. “But it’s over. He’s an outlaw and I’m… apparently a mob princess who just sold out to a rival family.” The absurdity of that statement made my head spin.

Nova gave a shaky laugh. “What a pair we are. You with your hush money from some gangster, me messing around with a biker who barely acknowledges me. We need a new approach, huh?”

I managed a watery smile. “We do. I might as well go back to my normal life, deal with the aftermath. Mark says I can return to the firm in a few days. Once the dust settles.”

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