Page 20

My body ached from too little sleep. Sunlight leaked around the edges of the cheap shade. For a second, I forgot where I was, then it all came crashing back. My mother’s death, bullets, Maverick.

I rolled over, expecting to see him on the floor, but the blanket was empty. My heart seized. “Maverick?”

The door opened, and he appeared, carrying two takeout cups of coffee from somewhere. “Morning, princess,” he murmured, handing one to me.

I sat up, blinking in surprise. “Where’d you get these?”

He offered a slight smile and a shrug. “Found a gas station across the street. Figured we could both use some fuel.”

I sipped, nearly moaning at the heat and bitter flavor. “Mmm, thank you.”

He positioned himself on the edge of the bed, sipping his own. The morning light highlighted the stubble on his jaw and the scar near his temple. “We should go find Chigger and Nova. They texted me they’re at a diner off the interstate.”

A relief washed over me. “Thank God they’re okay. Let’s go.”

I lost my shorts for my jeans. Maverick’s clothes had at least dried. Soon, we pulled into the diner’s parking lot and spotted Chigger’s bike right away. I hopped off Maverick’s Harley, rolling my shoulders to ease the stiffness. Inside, the smell of bacon and coffee welcomed us.

We found Nova and Chigger in a booth, heads bowed together. Nova perked up the moment she saw me. “Lex!” she squealed, practically climbing over the table to hug me.

I laughed, a swell of relief filling my chest. “You’re alive,” I murmured into her hair. “I was so worried.”

She pulled back, wide grin on her face. “We’re fine, just had to dodge some bullets. No big deal.” Her eyes sparkled with that too-familiar mischief. “And then we… well, we found a place to crash, obviously.”

Chigger cleared his throat, hand resting possessively on Nova’s hip. “Sorry about ditchin’ you last night. Shit got crazy.”

Maverick slid into the booth, making room for me. “We’re all in one piece, that’s what matters.”

Nova snuggled closer to Chigger, ignoring the mild eyeroll I shot her way. “We ended up at a little motel an hour down the road. We, uh, kinda crashed hard.”

I couldn’t help but notice the way they kept kissing, soft, quick kisses between sentences. They were definitely not shy.

“I’m just glad you’re safe,” I said sincerely, though their open affection was a tiny stab of envy. They were obviously hitting it off. Meanwhile, my own relationship with Maverick was complicated beyond belief.

Nova must’ve noticed my tight expression, because she tugged me away to the bathroom after we placed our orders.

She locked the door, turned to me, and practically squealed, “Smutty. I have so much to tell you!”

I braced myself, leaning against the sink. “Spare no detail, obviously.”

She giggled, cheeks flushing. “We’ve been going at it like rabbits. Chigger’s so… mmm. ” She fanned herself. “I’m sorry if that’s TMI, but I have zero filter right now.”

I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a wry smile. “Nova, my mother was just murdered , remember? And we were shot at.”

Her face fell. “Oh my God, I know. I’m a horrible friend.” She grabbed my hands, eyes wide. “I’m so sorry, Lexi. It’s just that… we’re traveling with these hot bikers, I’m stressed, and sex is my coping mechanism, I guess.”

I squeezed her hands. “It’s okay. You’re not horrible. It’s just… a lot . I’m still trying to sort through losing Mom, plus all these near-death experiences.”

She nodded fervently. “I understand. And I feel shitty for hooking up while you’re suffering. I promise I’m here for you, no matter what.”

I gave her a shaky smile. “I know. You don’t need to feel guilty. We all handle things differently, Slutty.”

She laughed at me calling her by her nickname and wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. “Glad we cleared that up. So how about you and Maverick? Anything… happen?”

My cheeks heated as I thought of his naked figure, the sexual tension crackling between us, that moment he saw me in the shower. “No. Not really.”

Nova’s brow arched. “He’s totally into you, though. You can’t deny it.”

I flushed harder. “I don’t know. Maybe. But I’m grieving, and… and I’m still a virgin, Nova. I can’t just fling myself into bed with a guy I barely know, even if he’s saved my life.”

She nodded, expression gentler. “I get it. It’s your choice. Whenever you’re ready. If you’re ready.”

A rueful smile touched my lips. “Yeah. And let’s face it, if it were up to me, I’d never have the courage. That’s why all those romance novels have the man practically dragging the heroine to bed.”

She laughed, patting my shoulder. “I guess we’ll see what happens. No pressure. Just… if you want it, don’t let your fears hold you back, Lex. Life’s too short.”

Her words echoed in my head. Life’s too short. Mom was proof of that. And it gave me pause. We’d barely escaped death last night. Did I want to die a virgin?

We finished up, washed our hands, and returned to the table where the guys waited. Chigger had his arm slung around Nova like they were an old married couple, and Maverick gave me a small, private smile as I slid in next to him. The warmth in his eyes did something funny to my stomach.

After breakfast, we stepped outside, the morning sun bright. The plan was simple, drive the rest of the way through Texas, to Dallas, so I could check my apartment for anything Mom might have hidden.

But Nova cleared her throat. “Hey, so… we’re thinking we’ll go to my place.” She glanced at Chigger. “We might still be in danger, but I need to get some clothes, catch my breath.”

Chigger nodded. “I’ll stay with her, keep her safe until this is over. Could be I’m also looking forward to, uh, some extended alone time.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Maverick sighed, crossing his arms. “Fine. But you two watch your backs, understand? If we were targeted once, it can happen again.”

Nova gave him a big smile. “Duh, of course.” Then she pulled me aside. “We’ll still be close by, but maybe not right next to you. We can handle ourselves.”

I nodded, understanding that my drama might not need to drag Nova down further. “Thank you for everything. But be safe, please.”

Chigger clapped Maverick on the shoulder. “We’ll check in. If we see any suspicious shit, I’ll call. Don’t worry.”

Nova gave me a tight hug, whispering in my ear, “Go easy on yourself. And if that sexy biker decides to make a move, maybe let him.” She pulled back and winked, making me blush. “Just a suggestion.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide a small smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then Maverick and I got on his motorcycle, while Nova climbed behind Chigger on his. We parted ways in the parking lot with waves and screaming engines, the sound of potential danger still echoing in my head.

I wrapped my arms around Maverick’s waist as we roared back onto the highway. My heart hammered from the powerful vibration of the bike, or maybe it was from the warmth of Maverick’s back under my fingers. This was our reality now. Hunted by who-knows-who, chasing secrets I didn’t ask for, leaning on each other because we had no other choice.

The wind whipped my hair into a frenzy. My body pressed tight against his, and despite everything, I felt the faucet of desire dripping on my thighs. Something about hugging a strong biker on a growling motorcycle was undeniably thrilling.

He turned his head slightly, voice carrying over the engine’s roar. “You good back there, princess?”

I nodded, cheeks flushing at the endearment. “I’m good.”

I wondered if he felt my heart drumming. The open road stretched ahead, and we had hours before we’d reach Dallas and my apartment, the place that might hold the key to my mother’s secrets. I didn’t know what we’d find, but I knew one thing. I wasn’t facing it alone.

Yes, I was scared out of my mind. But the biker in front of me, guiding the motorcycle with confident hands, was letting me cling to him for my safety. I was starting to believe, the real thing was better than any of the heroes from my books.