Page 14

Lexi

Maverick pulled out his phone and stepped into the hallway. I heard him speaking in low tones, calling someone. Minutes later, a knock sounded again. I opened the door to find another biker leaning casually against the frame, Chigger.

“Maverick told me we’re escorting you ladies outta here.”

Nova’s cheeks pinked slightly, and I remembered her cozying up to him at the rally.

Chigger threw a look over his shoulder at Maverick, who was gathering some of our bags. “We all set?”

Maverick nodded. “We ride. The ladies will follow in their car. We’ll keep an eye on ‘em.”

Fifteen minutes later, we were on the road again. Maverick and Chigger rode their bikes in tandem, one in front, one behind, while Nova and I drove in the middle. The night was dark, the headlights illuminating a winding country highway that twisted through endless trees and brush. I clenched the steering wheel, nerves on edge, scanning the mirrors for any suspicious vehicles.

Nova glanced at me. “You okay, Lex? You look pale.”

“I feel like I’m in a goddamn spy movie,” I muttered. “But yeah, I’m managing.”

She gave a shaky laugh. “Right? Just a day ago, we were at a book convention, swooning over cover models. Now we’re running from hitmen with two bikers we barely know.”

I cleared my throat. “I just… Mom is gone. And I can’t even process it because I’m too busy worrying about the next threat.”

Nova reached over to squeeze my hand. “You’ll get through this. We both will.”

I nodded, though tears pricked my eyes again. Eventually, the road turned to a narrow, gravel path that led deep into a wooded area. Maverick signaled for us to follow, and after what felt like an eternity of bumping over rocks and potholes, we emerged into a small clearing. A weather-worn cabin stood at the end of a short driveway, surrounded by dense trees. No other houses in sight.

Maverick killed his engine, Chigger following suit. We parked next to them. The night was eerily silent, broken only by the chirping of insects. I stepped out, eyes adjusting to the darkness. The cabin looked old but surprisingly sturdy, with a wraparound porch and a single lamp glowing by the door.

“Welcome to your new hideaway,” Chigger said, gesturing grandly.

Nova laughed nervously. “Yay. Rustic.”

Maverick pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “We maintain a few of these in different states,” he said, leading us inside. “No one knows about them except the Road Monsters and maybe a couple of our allies. You’ll be safe here.”

Inside, it was tiny but relatively clean. A small living room opened to a cramped kitchen. There were two bedrooms on either side, and a bathroom with minimal amenities. A faint scent of dust was present, but I preferred that to the musty motel we’d left behind.

“See?” Chigger said. “Cozy enough, right? I’ll open some windows, let fresh air in. Nova, we can go grab some provisions in the morning, unless you two are starvin’ now?”

She moved her head from side to side. “I’m not super hungry. But I could eat.” She threw me a guilty look, as if uncertain if it was okay to be hungry when I was grieving. I forced a small smile.

Maverick nodded toward the bedrooms at the hall’s end. “You two can bunk in there.” He pointed to the first door. “Me and Chigger will take the other one.” Then he turned to me, his voice low. “Look, I promise I’ll figure out what’s going on. If your mom was targeted, there’s a reason behind it.”

My chest tightened again at the mention of Mom. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Nova and Chigger set off to open windows in the living room, rummage for blankets, and look for anything edible in the cabinets. Not finding a thing, they decided they would run to the small grocer we saw on the way.

I lingered near the bedroom door, and Maverick hovered close. The weight of the day hit me like a tidal wave, and I started to shake, tears welling up again.

“Hey,” he murmured, stepping closer.

I tried to hold it in, but the sobs broke free. All the fear, confusion, and grief flooded out of me. “I can’t… I can’t believe she’s gone,” I gasped, pressing my hands over my face. “We might not have been close, but she was still my mom. I—oh, God…”

He hesitated only a moment before gently pulling me into his arms. His body was solid, warm, the leather of his vest creaking softly as he wrapped me in a secure hold. I clung to him, burying my face against his chest. A spark of comfort seeped through me. It felt oddly safe, even though I hardly knew him.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, one large hand stroking my hair. “Let it out.”

For a second, I closed my eyes, letting the tears flow. A faint aroma of engine oil, sweat, and an unnamed manly fragrance emanated from the biker. Despite everything, my heart fluttered, a traitorous little flip. My mother was dead, and I was standing here craving the scent of a biker who’d been vaguely involved with her. What is wrong with me?

I sniffled, pulling back slightly. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize.”

I swallowed hard, about to retreat into the bedroom, when he reached up to brush a strand of hair from my face. His callused thumb stroked away a tear on my cheek. The simple gesture made my pulse thrum. I looked up into his eyes, and for half a second, everything around us disappeared.

Then, shockingly, he kissed me.

His lips were warm and firm, pressing against mine in a heartbeat that seemed to stretch forever. My mind went blank. I instinctively leaned in, kissing him back. A spark ignited in my chest, something raw and desperate.

But the moment I realized what was happening, I jerked away, heart pounding. “What the hell?” I managed, voice trembling.

He pulled back, expression unreadable. “I’m… sorry,” he said roughly. “I didn’t mean…”

I shook my head, anger warring with the leftover warmth of that kiss. “You were hooking up with my mother .” My voice cracked on the word. “She was all over you. And now…” I wiped my mouth, tears pricking my eyes again. “This is messed up.”

Maverick’s jaw tightened. “Look, it wasn’t like that. Someone sent me to watch over her, keep her out of trouble. I never… I didn’t touch her, if that’s what you think.”

I stared at him, trying to sort lies from truth. “You could’ve said something last night. You let me believe, everyone believe, that you were with her.”

A grimace flashed over his face. “I wasn’t sure if her danger story was real, and I had a job to do. I was trying not to blow my cover.” He exhaled sharply. “Diana was a wild one, yeah, but I never laid a hand on her.”

A wave of relief and guilt washed through me. “Mom always lied, so I… You’re saying you didn’t sleep with her? Not ever?”

He shook his head. “Not even close. Trust me, I’m not into older women. I was just doing a favor for my… boss.” There was bitterness in his tone at that word.

I sighed, covering my face with my hands for a second. “I guess it’s no telling what my mom told people. She might’ve put me in all this danger with her big mouth.”

He stepped closer again, gaze determined. “Then I’ll find out who did this, why, and I’ll stop them from hurting you.”

“Why do you even care?” I asked, voice raw. “You’re some outlaw biker, probably just like her. Why not walk away and save yourself the headache?”

He stared at me for a moment, expression pained. “Because my previous profession was a detective. Before all this. I can’t shake that part of me that needs to see justice done. Even if I’m not the same guy I used to be.”

My eyes widened. “A detective? But you’re…”

“Yeah,” he said, voice dropping. “I was a cop in Columbus, Ohio. Long story. Let’s just say it ended badly, and I ended up here, in the biker world.”

I was momentarily speechless. An ex-cop turned outlaw? My mind reeled. But it explained the way he carried himself, the sharp, assessing glances, the sense of moral obligation, buried beneath the leather and tattoos.

He sighed. “Look, get some rest. I need to see if I can shake some leads out of folks who might know more about your mom’s situation. Stay here with Chigger. He’s good people. He’ll keep you safe while I’m gone.”

I wanted to ask more, but Nova and Chigger returned with a thud of bags being set down.

Maverick stepped back, picking up his keys. “I’ll be back tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest,” he said. “Don’t leave this cabin. Got it?”

I nodded, oddly bereft at the thought of him riding off. “Okay.”

With that, he strode out the door. Moments later, his Harley’s engine roared, fading into the distance.