Page 80 of Maverick

She nodded, then her eyes brightened with an idea. “You know what? Why don’t we get a better place together? A proper,safe apartment in the city with security. I can help pay rent, and you’ll be closer to the firm. We can keep watch for each other.”

A wave of relief washed over me. Living alone seemed scary now. “That might be good,” I admitted. “This place is fine, but it’s out of the way, and I’d be isolated if anything happens.”

She beamed. “Exactly. We’re better off with each other than random men who break our hearts, right? We’re not damsels in distress from those romance books, waiting for some alpha male to fix everything. We’re high-powered women with futures.”

I inhaled, a spark of determination flickering. She’s right. “Let’s do it. We’ll start looking tomorrow for something downtown, near my firm.”

Nova grinned. “Yes! Finally a roommate after all these years. Remember in college, we joked about getting a swanky place with a city view?”

I recalled how I’d turned her down back then, wanting my own space because all the men she’d have over. “Yeah, I remember. This time, I won’t say no. Let’s do it.”

We exchanged a weary hug, relief mingling with sorrow. My mind still buzzed with thoughts of Maverick, his stormy eyes, the bandaged shoulder, how he told me I was his. Now he was gone. But if I was truly forging a new path, maybe I needed to bury that memory once and for all.

Nova rose, yawning. “It’s almost midnight. Let’s get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll do serious apartment hunting. A new start.”

I nodded, standing. “A new start,” I echoed numbly.

Still, as I followed Nova to her bedroom, the weight in my chest remained. My body felt like a shell, numb after so much heartbreak. The hush money, the contract, the mob’s threats… all swirling in the background. But above it all, the ache of losing Maverick overshadowed everything.

Even if he had a wife, even if he’d put me in danger, part of me longed to see him charge in again, fight for me, prove me wrong.

But he didn’t.

And that fact tore me to pieces.

Lying awake, staring at the dark ceiling, I pressed my hands over my heart, wishing the pain would fade. Nova breathed softly beside me, half asleep.

I’m a battered soul, pinned between the underground and heartbreak. Maybe I should write a book?

The night yawned on, silent except for my soft tears. Eventually, exhaustion took me. My final thought before drifting off was a fervent wish, that the hush money was enough to keep me alive, and that maybe, in another lifetime, Maverick and I could’ve had something real.

But not this lifetime. Not anymore.

Chapter 41

It amazed me how much life could change in just a few weeks. One month, to be precise, after I’d signed that contract. There was no more frantic packing, no more scouring for hidden mob threats in every shadow. Nova and I had moved into a new condo, perched high in a downtown tower with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The rent was exorbitant, but between my hush-money settlement from Marciano and Nova’s decent salary at her law firm, we could afford it. And if I was being honest, it soothed my nerves to look out over the sparkling city lights each night, reminding myself I was in a world far removed from any dingy biker clubhouse.

I stood before the mirror in my bedroom, sleek white walls, minimalist décor, plush gray rug over lustrous floors, rummaging through my jewelry box for the perfect necklace. Outside, dusk settled over the skyline, the last rays of the sun glinting off the steel towers. My reflection showed a woman in a fitted black cocktail dress, hair done in loose waves. I cocked my head, assessing the look.Mark would approve,I thought. He liked me in classy attire, something that whispered “professional” even outside the office.

But something else nagged at me. A subtle, insistent worry I’d been ignoring for days.I still haven’t started my period.The stress of the last few months could explain it, maybe. But a tiny voice in my head kept insisting it was something more. I tried to push the thought aside, focusing on the glimmer of thegold necklace I’d just fastened.Don’t jump to conclusions,I told myself.

Nova’s voice carried down the hall. “Lexi, I’m heading out real quick!” She popped into my doorway, wearing leggings and an oversized T-shirt, phone in hand. “Just need to grab something from the store. Be back in ten.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “At this hour? Don’t you have a date with your new fling tomorrow morning?”

She rolled her eyes. “He’s not a fling, he’s… well, maybe he is.” She shrugged, tapping her foot nervously. “Anyway, I’ll see you soon. You sure you’re okay for your big date with Mark?”

I pressed my lips together. “I guess so. Everything’s planned. We’re going to that fancy new restaurant near the art museum. Then probably back to his place.”

Nova gave me a pointed look, but said nothing. She walked up to me, rested a hand on my arm. “You’re good, though, right? Because I know you haven’t exactly…”

I swallowed. “I’m fine. He’s… I mean, Mark’s not a bad guy. It’s been a month, and he’s been respectful enough.” Guilt swirled in my gut. I’d let him kiss me, but never more than that, despite his gentle hints that he wanted more.He’s not Maverick,a voice in my heart whispered, but I shoved that down.

Nova nodded slowly. “Okay, but if you need me….”

I forced a bright smile. “I’ll be fine. Really.”

She squeezed my hand. “Right. I’ll be back soon.” And with that, she disappeared down the hallway, the front door clicking shut behind her.

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