Page 1 of Maverick

Prologue

Willow was in her studiopainting when she heard a crash from outside. Her dog, Orion, stood and started to growl.

“Shhh, boy. Don’t let them know we’re here.”

She quickly turned off the lights and crouched down behind her large table. Orion laid on her lap, his big fuzzy head right under her chin.

Deep voices got closer and she held her breath, hoping they didn’t come into the studio searching for her.

The door creaked open and the lights flipped on.

“Nothing here, Brother. Looks like she’s out. I’ll come back later to check on her. Let’s get back to the clubhouse.”

She recognized the voice of her friend, Joker, and sighed a breath of relief. She was safe for now.

Willow waited until she heard the roar of motorcycles drive away from her house. She quickly got up and ran into the house, Orion right on her heels.

She grabbed a few bags and frantically threw everything she could into them.

“We’ve got to go, buddy. Joker can only hold them off for so long. He can’t protect us forever.”

Willow ran with a few bags into the backyard and to the garage. Opening the door, she hurried inside and closed the door. She couldn’t risk turning the lights on and giving away her location.

She turned to grab the dusty cloth and pulled. The beige cloth fell to the ground and revealed Willow’s Nineteen Seventy-Three Volkswagen van. It’s baby blue paint was in mint condition thanks to Willow’s hard work.

She smiled as she slid the side door open and admired her handiwork. Willow had converted the inside to a camper for her and Orion.

Throwing the bags inside, she turned and walked back to her house to grab more things.

Willow walked into her living room and screamed when she saw the large man sitting on her couch.

The man turned around and smiled.

“Relax,Angelita. It’s just me. Stop screaming before somebody comes to see what all that noise is about.”

Joker stood and walked over to her, wrapping her in a hug.

“Fuck. You scared the shit out of me! I didn’t hear your bike or anything.”

He laughed as he pulled away from her.

“I know. I parked down the street and walked here. What are you doing? What’s with all the bags?”

Willow sighed, “Packing. I need to leave, Joker. They won’t stop chasing me. I’m just going to run as far as I can.”

Joker picked up a bag and looked at Willow, “Alright. Let’s get you packed and ready to go then.”

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WILLOW AND JOKER HADeverything packed in just over two hours. As they were taking a quick break before Willow left town, a knock on the front door startled them.

Joker placed his beer on the counter and walked out of the small kitchen. Looking out the peephole, he could see that Willow’s mother, Mary, was standing on the front step.

“Mierda. It’s your mom. What do you want to do, Willow?”

She sighed and rubbed her temple. “I don’t know. Snake probably sent her looking for me.”

Joker nodded, “I got this, babe.”

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