Page 55 of Maverick

Chapter Sixteen

Maverick

Iwoke up and stretched, rolling over to wrap Willow in my arms when I noticed that her side of the bed was empty. I jumped out of bed and started to panic. All I could think about was Willow being kidnapped by the Shadow Raiders on my own fucking property.

I pulled up my boxers and jeans, threw a shirt on and found my cut. Grabbing my gun, I put it in my holster as I ran out the door. I ran through the clubhouse looking for Willow around every corner.

I flew into the kitchen and saw Tank chowing down on some old pizza. He looked up and with a mouth full of food mumbled, “What’s up, brother?”

“Can’t find Willow.”

He shrugged his shoulders and swallowed. “Saw her this morning in the kitchen. Maybe check the bar. Wrench was out there restocking.”

I ran out the door and headed into the main room with our bar. A few brothers were standing around and I looked around for Wrench. Knuckles, our brother who runs the bar, came over to me.

“Yo, Brother. Everything okay?”

I shook my head, “No. I can’t find Willow.”

He put his hand on my shoulder, “She’s fine, don’t worry. Nobody has left the compound today and nobody has come in. She’s gotta be around here somewhere. Take a deep breath.”

He guided me to a barstool and grabbed a glass of water. I gulped it down and started to feel a little better. Moonshine came strolling in and sat down next to me.

“Hey man. What’s going on?”

“Can’t find Willow. Got really worried.”

Moonshine grabbed his phone and opened up an app. “Look, Mav. I get a security alert every time there’s movement around this compound. I get a notification anytime that gate opens or closes. I know all that’s going on around here. I’ve got the prospects checking the cameras every hour as well as doing it myself. After everything that happened with Lilah last year, I am not taking any chances. If anything happened to Willow, I would have let you know.”

I ran my hand through my hair and pat him on the back. “You’ve done a great job, Moonshine. I’m really glad we brought you into the family.”

Giggling echoed from the courtyard and we both turned to look out that way. Getting up from our barstools, we headed to the open door.

Looking out, I saw Willow bent down next to Colton and Knox with little easels. Mama and Lilah were sitting on a bench, large coffee mugs in their hands.

I leaned against the door frame and silently watched as Willow shined in her element. Moonshine patted me on the back, “Looks like you’ve found your woman.” He nodded toward her and walked back into the clubhouse.

A few minutes went by and I could sense somebody come up behind me. I slowly turned and found Striker with a mug of coffee in his hand. He smiled and nodded toward Willow.

“She’s a good fit here. I know she went through some shit to get here, but I can see why you like her. I still have some concerns, Mav.”

I sighed and turned to face him. “I know. We all do, Brother.”

“Do you love her, Silas?”

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