Page 90 of Maverick

Nova:He was at that rally. Chigger got drunk and spilled everything. He scrolled my phone, saw the baby pics. I’m so sorry.

My eyes brimmed with tears.Damn it, Chigger.Fear spiked. If Maverick confronted Mark or the mob, someone might die. My entire world threatened to crumble. I typed back:

Me:He can’t come here! Mark has threatened me before, plus the mob is still watching. If Maverick storms in… oh God.

Nova’s next text came quickly:

Nova:I know. He’s furious, Lex. He’s sure the baby is his. I thought he just stormed off, but Chigger just said he left for Dallas that night. A couple days ago.

A sob escaped my throat. Of course the baby was his. But I’d told everyone it was Mark’s or at least implied it.

“Shit,” I whispered, pacing.What do I do now?

Me:I don’t know how to keep him away. I can’t let him get shot or… Mark’s father has connections, you know. They’ll kill him.

Nova:Just keep your head. We can figure this out. Maybe call me if he shows up. Good luck. I’m sorry.

My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the phone. Baby Mark let out a soft cry from his bassinet, and I hurried back to rub his little belly, fighting tears. “It’s okay, sweet boy,” I murmured. “Everything’s fine.”

But it wasn’t. Nothing was fine. Mark wanted me to keep up this facade indefinitely, pretending the baby was his. If Maverick clashed with him, there’d be blood. The entire reason I’d agreed to this hellish arrangement was to protect Maverick, Nova, Chigger… everyone.Damn it, Maverick,I thought, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Why did you have to come back now?

The doorbell rang. I froze, heart in my throat. The baby whimpered again, maybe sensing my terror. I glanced at the clock, eight-thirty in the evening. Could that be Mark? Usually, he let himself in. Maybe it was a package or…Maverick.My pulse raced.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Delgado, quickly approached from the side hallway. She gave me a questioning look. “Should I get it, ma’am?”

I swallowed. “Yes, but let me see who it is.”

She nodded, stepping toward the grand double doors. I trailed behind, baby fussing in my arms. The door opened to reveal none other than the biker, standing on the porch, eyes dark with anger and something deeper. My knees almost buckled. He wore a worn leather jacket, dusty torn jeans, his hair unruly from the ride. My throat went dry. God, he looked the same but lines of pain were etched around his eyes.

“Lexi,” he said, his eyes everywhere at once.

Mrs. Delgado peered at me for direction.

My mind screamedSend him away, but my heart fought it. I cleared my throat. “It’s okay. I’ll handle this.”

She hesitated, then bowed slightly and retreated down the hall. Maverick stepped inside before I could say otherwise,boots echoing on the marble. My chest pounded, baby Mark squirming in my arms. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing us in the foyer, a place too lavish for an outlaw like him. He looked around with a sneer.

“So this is your new house?” he muttered, gaze flicking over the marble floors and ornate fixtures.

I cradled the baby closer, my voice trembling. “You can’t be here. If Mark finds you…”

His brow furrowed. “I don’t give a damn about Mark. I’m here to see my kid.”

A shiver ran down my spine.He’s not wrong.But fear roiled in my gut. Mark had powerful allies. They could kill Maverick if they caught him here. “Mark already knows you might be the father,” I lied. Mark one hundred percent knew it for a fact. “He doesn’t care. But I do. If he comes home now, he’ll kill you.”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed. “Then we’ll see who ends up dead.” He stepped closer, voice low with anger. “You’re leaving with me. Pack your shit, give me the kid. Let’s go.”

My heart twisted. “No. I can’t uproot my life. I have to keep the baby safe. And you’re married, Maverick. Aren’t you?” The bitterness seeped out of me. “Sky, your wife, did you bring her along for the ride?”

He flinched, pain flashing in his eyes. “No. She betrayed me, Lexi. She tried to lead the mob right to you. That’s how I got shot in Kansas. She wanted you dead, maybe to protect her own child’s claim to the Getty empire or some bullshit. She’s gone, all right? She and I are finished. Had been since the day you signed that contract.”

A wave of confusion and regret hit me.

All this time, I assumed he chose her.

“I… I didn’t know,” I said, throat constricting. “I thought you were off living happily. That’s what I was told.” My voice cracked. “Mark told me if I didn’t marry him, he’d have the mob come after you again. He threatened Nova and Chigger. I couldn’t risk it.” I lowered my gaze, tears slipping down. “I had to let him claim the baby, pretend it was his.”

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