Page 47 of Maverick

“Why do you think that?” he asked, knowing the answer.

“Because I’m not a complete idiot. Faith is the one who arranged for her to get away. Where else would she send her but to the house in Coronado?”

“So, are you going out there?”

“Yes. No. I mean, yes, when we get back, I’m going to head out there. I’m worried about her, and I want her to know that she can come back here.”

“Is that all?” asked Brax.

“I don’t know. Is protecting Stephanie the only thing you’re doing?”

“Fair enough,” nodded Brax. “Just keep a clear head tomorrow. We need everyone to make sure that Katelyn comes back unharmed, or Maverick is going to plow through some humans.”

“I’m still a professional, Brax. I know what I’m doing.”

“I know you do, Pax. Shit. Stop being so sensitive about everything. Look, for what it’s worth, I think that’s where Deanna is as well. I just want you to be certain that she wants to see you.”

Pax took the steps off the porch and turned to his brother.

“She won’t have a choice.” Brax just smirked at his brother, watching him walk away.

“Well, that should turn out well.”

“What are you doing up so late?” asked Saint, seeing Marilisa on the porch of her cottage. “It’s almost one a.m.”

“Isn’t that 0100?” she smirked.

“Yeah, it is,” he laughed, stepping up on the second step. “But that didn’t answer my question. Why are you up so late?”

“I’m just getting back from The Well,” she said.

“The Well? You’re not old enough to be there?”

“Patrick, I’m almost twenty-two years old. I’m more than old enough.”

“Yeah, but that place can be dangerous. There’s all kinds of guys there looking for only one thing.”

“Really?” she grinned. “Guys like you? Like Pax, Brax, and the others? Because I’ve seen you guys there, and you never even noticed me from across the room.”

“What?” he whispered.

Marilisa stood from her porch swing, the skin-tight jeans hugging every damn curve that girl owned, her scuffed cowboy boots looking sexy as shit for some reason. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her white blouse hugged her perfectly formed breasts. She took two steps toward him, standing at the top of the stairs, looking down at him. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she bent forward.

“If you’d just open your damn eyes, you’d see that I’m a grown woman capable of making my own decisions in life. I work with our weapons engineering team. I drive. I drink. And I’m more than ready for an adult relationship with the right man.”

She gripped his neck and slammed her lips against his, her tongue diving for his own. Saint couldn’t help but respond, pulling her off the step and into his arms, taking all that she was giving. When he realized he had her dangling off her feet, he set her back on the step and took one step backwards, landing him on his ass, missing the steps behind him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, starting toward him. He held up his hand.

“You stay right there. Don’t move.”

“Patrick…”

“Nope. Do not get any closer.” He stood breathing so heavily she thought he was injured. “Don’t come closer, Marilisa. Please. Go inside.”

“But…”

“Please. Go inside.”

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