Page 94 of Maverick

“I’m… going on the road with Chigger. All my stuff’s going in storage. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

I was so shocked, I almost spit out my tea. “You’re what? Why?” She’d joked about seeing the country on the back of his Harley. But fuck. I didn’t want her to leave, leave me all alone in Texas with Mark.

She exhaled, setting her untouched glass down with a clink. “Because I see how stuck you are with Mark. I know whyyou’re there, fear, blackmail, all that. But as long as you think me, or Chigger, or Maverick might be in danger, you won’t break free. You’ll stay married to that prick. So, I’m removing myself from the equation.”

“That’s… that’s ridiculous. I told you, I’m coping fine. Don’t throw your life away on the road just because of me.”

Nova’s gaze hardened. “I’m not throwing anything away. I’m living my life. And I won’t let you use me as an excuse to stay in a loveless marriage. If the mob threatens me or Chigger, we’ll be long gone. They won’t find us.”

I felt tears welling up. “But I don’t want you to vanish. You’re my best friend, my only real friend in this city.”

She reached for my hand, squeezing tight. “I’m sorry. But you deserve the chance to choose your future without worrying about me. If you want to be with Mark, that’s your call, but I want to be sure it’s actually your call and not fear for me or the others.”

My head gave a shake, tears slipping. “Nova, that’s… I don’t want you to leave.”

She forced a small smile. “I love you, Lex, but it’s time. Now, look, I want you to understand something.” Her voice grew firmer. “You do not have to stay with Mark. We can figure out a better plan. The baby belongs with you, you alone if you choose. But Maverick’s the father…”

I opened my mouth to argue, but a woozy sensation twisted my vision. The room seemed to tilt, the edges blurring. My thoughts grew fuzzy. “N-Nova,” I mumbled, blinking rapidly. “I feel… weird. Dizzy.”

She shot up, alarmed. “Are you okay?”

I tried to speak again, but the words tangled on my tongue. My limbs grew heavy, eyes drooping. The baby’s soft coo sounded distant, like I was underwater. What was happening?

Darkness rushed in. My body slumped, everything going black. I vaguely heard Nova saying my name, her voice echoing as though down a long tunnel. Then nothing.

Chapter 48

A throbbing ache pulsed in my temples when I drifted back to consciousness. I peeled my eyes open, squinting at a living room that definitely wasn’t Nova’s. My head pounded, mouth dry, disoriented.

Panic flared. Where’s my baby?! I jerked upright, scanning the unfamiliar space. The furniture was old-fashioned, worn couches with a southwestern pattern, and a coffee table of distressed wood. Low lamplight revealed drawn curtains over a big window. I got a hint of engine oil and leather.

Nova’s voice startled me. “Hey, you’re awake.” She was perched on a recliner, fiddling with her phone.

Relief and confusion lingered. “Nova?” My voice cracked. “What happened? Where’s my baby?”

Her eyes flicked behind me. I turned, heart lurching, to see a broad figure stepping in from another room, cradling my infant. The child let out a gentle coo, and the man carefully handed him from one arm to the other. My breath caught.

Maverick.

He stood there, leather jacket shrugged off to reveal muscular arms, that same smolder in his gaze. My baby, our baby, snoozed in his grip, tiny head tucked under Maverick’s chin. The sight nearly broke me.

I shot off the couch, vision swimming. “Give him to me,” I said in a choked whisper, arms outstretched. Fear mingled with outrage.

How dare they take me from my home?

Maverick stepped closer, carefully transferring the baby into my waiting arms. “He’s safe,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion. “Took me hours to get him to settle, but I managed.”

I clutched my son, half sobbing. “What the hell, Nova? Did you drug me or something?” I glared at her, fresh tears burning my eyes. “How could you do this?”

Nova lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry, Lex. You left me no choice. You were too locked in Mark’s grip to see reason. Chigger and I, we just want you safe, truly safe. We planned this… got Maverick’s help. It was the only way.”

I stared in disbelief. “You… you kidnapped me?”

Maverick cleared his throat. “Think of it as a rescue.” His eyes shone with a quiet intensity.

Anger flared, competing with relief. My baby wriggled in my arms, reminding me to keep my temper. “Mark, he’ll freak out, call the mob. They’ll kill us all. Don’t you get it?”

Nova stood, pacing. “Let him try. Chigger’s arranged for us to disappear if needed. The baby’s father is here. You don’t need Mark or his hush money. If we all vanish, the mob has no leverage. We have resources.”

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