Page 6 of Maverick

And with that, he climbed into the truck and opened the passenger door. I reluctantly climbed in as Orion hopped in on my lap. I turned to Maverick as he stared out the window.

“Look, I’m sorry. I can find a job in town to help pay for the van, don’t worry about it.”

He started the truck and drove down the road, not saying a word to me. I could see his jaw was clenched and he was holding back whatever he wanted to say. Those gorgeous green eyes were dark and stormy as he battled his inner thoughts.

“Alright then, the silent type. Got it,Vice President.”

I looked out the window and pet Orion as we made our way to this birthday party.

We turned onto another dirt road and drove through a set of big, black, metal gates. A sign hung over the open gates with the names Crawford & Walker inscribed on the wood. Balloons were tied to the gates and all along the fence that ran on either side of the long driveway. Horses ran on one side while chickens ran along the other side. Orion popped his head out the window, loving the other animals.At least one of us was excited to be here.

“Are you gonna talk to me or should I just stay in the truck the whole time? Just promise you’ll leave the windows down so I don’t die.”

Maverick pulled the truck up next to a big red barn and turned it off. He looked at me and took a deep breath. “Look, this is my home. This is my family and I’m not gonna have you disrespecting them today. You know nothing about who we are or what we do. Just because you watched some tv shows doesn’t mean you know shit. So keep your opinions to yourself. My family has been through enough the past two years. Are we clear?”

I put my hand on my hip and pointed my finger at him. “Look here, dickbag. I have manners and know how to use them, unlike you right now. You don’t know shit about me and what I’ve been through. I know more than enough about youone-percentersthan you think. Are we done here? I’d like to get to work as soon as possible so I can get my van fixed and get the fuck away from this place. Can’t do that if I’m playing around at a birthday party.”

Maverick’s green eyes bore into my soul and I could feel myself getting worked up. He was damn good looking, but I wasn’t going to jump in bed with somebody like him. I grew up with enough of them and always resisted the temptation; no matter how good they looked. Plus, I didn’t need to be getting caught up or making it harder to leave this place. I needed to stay off the grid and away from prying eyes. I just need to get back on the open road and get to the border.

“We have a lot to talk about, firecracker.” He hopped out of the truck and came around to my side, carefully helping me out. Orion stayed close by me as we walked into the barn. “Stay right here. Gotta go talk to Pres. Be back in a few minutes.”

Maverick walked out into a field filled with people. Two little blonde boys ran around with birthday shirts on as other motorcycle guys ran and laughed with them. I grabbed a beer from a cooler sitting on the ground, and leaned up against the barn, taking everything in. Everybody seemed happy and normal here. Nobody was fighting or falling down drunk, or having sex in front of the whole world. This club acted like the total opposite of what I grew up around. I certainly wasn’t going to let my guard down, but I could let myself relax a little bit.

I watched as a pretty blonde woman walked around saying hello to everybody. She looked so happy as she leaned over and kissed a big biker. The big biker smiled as he pulled her into him. They looked so in love and normal other than the black leather vest he wore. I could see the President’s patch on the front as he made his way to the picnic table and sat next to another Brother in a leather vest.

Maverick turned and looked at me before heading over to the picnic table. I could feel a hint of butterflies in my stomach as those gorgeous eyes stared at me. Shaking my head, I took a sip of my beer and just observed the rest of the party. I knew I needed to earn money fast and start to think of other ways to get some quick cash. I needed to leave before that dark cloud found me and dragged me back to hell.

Chapter Two

Maverick

Iran my hand overmy face as I made my way over to the picnic table where my brother, Goose, and President, Striker, sat with a beer in their hands. Grabbing a beer, I straddled the bench and took a swig.

“Who’s the pretty little brunette, Mav?” Goose was eyeing Willow with a hungry look.

I punched his arm as he spits his beer out. “Dude, what the fuck? Who is she that you’re all crazy about her already?”

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