Page 27 of Savage Reign

Just as I was about to open the door, the glass on it reflected from the sun. I pulled up short when a familiar face came into my line of vision. Blood roared in my ears, and I was slow to react. It took a moment for my brain to comprehend what I saw, but when it did, I gasped and turned back. But he was gone.

Silas.

I was sure I just saw Silas.

My heart beat frantically as I looked around for any sight of him, but it was crowded and…

A voice cleared beside me. I looked up to see a strange man standing by the door, looking at me expectantly. Wordlessly, I moved aside and let him enter the diner, my eyes moving back to the crowded street once more before I walked inside. So they really had found me. I wasn’t entirely sure before, thinking Killian’s scent on my bed could be nothing more than my imagination because I’d missed him. But no, he really did spend the night with me.

The same waitress who had served me before smiled and indicated to the restaurant. “Pick any seat you want, sweetheart.”

I nodded and found a booth in the corner that looked out the window. My eyes took in all the unfamiliar faces, knowingI wouldn’t see him unless he wanted me to. I didn’t know what they were waiting for.

Playing with me?

No, I didn't think that was the case. They might be bad men who had done some horrible things, but they weren’t that cruel to me.

Perhaps they were giving me time to adjust to the idea of them being close by.

Maybe.

The waitress came by, taking me out of my musing. I ordered a breakfast platter and a glass of orange juice, trying and failing to get them out of my mind.

I spentmost of the day in the motel room with the TV on, though I wasn’t really paying attention.

I was waiting for one of them to show up, which I was sure would happen soon. But until then, I was nothing more than a nervousthingwith limbs, jumping at even the slightest sound. Anticipation strummed in my veins, but the more time passed, the more I convinced myself it wasn’t happening.

Disappointment followed me around when I finally turned off the TV at nine o’clock at night, and I could feel myself wanting to nod off.

I got ready for bed, barely paying attention as I brushed my teeth before I turned on the shower, giving the water a chance to warm up. I hopped in and scrubbed the day away. My eyes moved down to my stomach. I was still pretty flat. Not that I had expected to show signs of my pregnancy so soon, but perhaps when it happened, I could finally align the fact that I was pregnant in my mind.

I pushed my head under the water spray and closed my eyes, trying not to think anymore.

By the time I turned off the shower, my head still felt full of useless thoughts, but at least I was clean.

I wrapped a huge fluffy white towel around myself before walking out of the bathroom and into the bedroom and nearly had a heart attack.

I screamed and jumped away, my back hitting the sharp edge of the wooden TV stand nearby. Sharp pain shot up from my lower back, and I let out a small groan, closing my eyes.

A low curse came out as large hands cupped my shoulders, keeping me steady.

I opened my eyes and glared up at the giant standing in front of me.

“Little monster,” he breathed out. I ignored the way the nickname coming out of his lips made my heart feel heavy and light all the same.

“What were you trying to do? Scare me half to death?”

I tried to pull away from him, but his grip tightened marginally on me.

“Fuck, but do you know how fucking good it is to see your eyes again?” Maverick asked. He moved one hand away from my shoulder and cupped my cheek. I looked up at him as he gently swiped his thumb under the skin of my eye, and for a moment, I forgot why I was angry with him—with his brothers—in the first place.

My lower lip trembled, and I looked away from him. What did he want me to say to that? I was still debating on whether I should punch him or… or kiss him.

I tried to pull away once more, and this time, he let me. He stood in the same spot and watched me as I moved around his huge body, seeming to have taken so much space in the smallroom that I almost felt suffocated by it. It wasn’t like I had forgotten how big he was.

I moved over to the bed on trembling legs and sat down, afraid I might fall flat on my face in front of him.

We didn’t say anything. Maverick watched me in that intense way of his that always made me feel exposed. I shivered, remembering I wasn’t wearing anything but a towel. I might as well be exposed to him now. He shoved his hand in his pocket, drawing my eyes. I didn’t think I had ever seen him so… uncertain.

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