Page 39

Worrying that I may have just gotten myself into more trouble, we got up and poked around the kitchen for something to eat. My appetite was gone, but I forced down some toast. Chigger stuck his head in once, reporting that everything was quiet. The day wore on in a stressed out silence, me jumping at every little noise from outside.

By late afternoon, Nova glanced at her phone, cursing. “Crap, I have to get to the office. I’m behind on a case. I can’t lose my job over this. You’ll be okay if Chigger stays, right?”

I nodded wearily. “Yeah, I guess so.” Chigger was loyal, but I just wanted to be alone. At the same time, I needed the security. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

Nova squeezed my hand, grabbing her purse. “Text if anything happens. And if Mark shows up, make sure Chigger doesn’t kill him, okay?”

That forced a snort of amusement from me. “Noted. I’ll let him know we need him alive.”

She smirked, then softened. “Be safe, Smutty. We’ll figure something out. I promise.”

I mustered a sad smile. “Thank you, Slutty.”

And then she was gone, leaving me to pace the living room, phone in hand, expecting Mark’s call. What if he can’t fix anything? What if he’s corrupt, too?

The phone buzzed right on cue. A text from Mark:

Mark: Be there in 30. I’ve got a solution, trust me.

Solution? My head spun with possibilities. Did that mean he’d found a way to neutralize Grinder? Doubtful. I set about freshening up, showering quickly, combing out my hair. For some bizarre reason, I raided Nova’s closet and changed into a skirt and blouse, the kind of professional attire I’d wear to the firm. Maybe it was a desperate attempt to feel normal or not embarrassed myself further in front of my boss. I even pinned my hair into a neat bun, slid on my black heels. The reflection in the bathroom mirror showed a haunted woman with red eyes, but at least I looked put-together.

Just as I finished, the doorbell rang. I hurried to the living room, seeing Chigger open the door. Mark stood on the porch, alone, briefcase in hand, a stylish black suit hugging his tall, lean frame. He had a confident stance, short brown hair slicked back, sharp green eyes. I’d always found him handsome for a slightly older man but never considered him more than a friendly colleague or boss. Now, with everything going on, he looked almost… threatening in that expensive suit.

“Mark,” I greeted, stepping forward. “You came.”

He flashed a smooth smile. “Of course. We’re… friends, right? I told you I’d help.” He cast a quick glance at Chigger, who hovered protectively. “Mind if I come in?”

Chigger grunted, crossing his arms. “I’m watchin’ you.” He shot me a questioning look, and I nodded, letting Mark inside.

Mark stepped in, taking in Nova’s modest living room with mild disapproval. “Interesting place. Cozy,” he remarked. Then he turned to me, pulling out a folder from his briefcase. “I brought some documents for you to sign. We need to formalize an arrangement.”

I swallowed. “What arrangement?”

“Before we talk about that, you need to tell me everything,” he said, with the tone he uses at the office when shit was serious.

After I shot a look to Chigger, I let everything flow from me. I told him all about my crazy week. About finding mom dead, the bikers protecting me, the shootouts, the hiding, and about Maverick bringing the women who may have been behind it all right to my doorstep. I left out the more private parts, but didn’t hide the fact that I’d been falling for the biker, and that he broke my heart. I tried to, but the tears streaming down my face would betray me.

He pulled a handkerchief out of his coat and pressed it into my hands as he guided me toward the small kitchen table. “You said the man behind your mother’s murder might be called Grinder. His name is Marciano. Well, I can personally confirm Marciano is definitely the one controlling that faction you spoke of. He’s… a client of ours. My father’s firm has represented him in certain transactions for many years. So, I reached out discreetly. He’s willing to provide you protection from the Getty side of the family, in exchange for a few conditions.”

“Conditions?”

Before Mark could answer, the door burst open. Two men in dark suits, guns in their hands, strode in like they owned the place.

I jumped out of my seat. Chigger cursed, reaching for his waist. But one of the men flashed his piece threateningly, making it clear he’d shoot if we resisted. My blood ran cold. This is happening all over again?

Mark wrapped an arm around me, an oddly possessive gesture. “Easy,” he murmured, as I tensed. “These are Marciano’s men. They’re here to make sure we finalize the contract peacefully.”

I stared at him in horror. “You brought armed thugs to a house in the suburbs?”

He shot me a level look. “It’s the mob, Lexi. They don’t do polite house calls. This is the best I could do. Please sit.”

The two goons took positions by the walls. One had the dead-eyed stare of a career killer, the other was scanning the house for threats. Chigger hovered in the corner, outnumbered and outgunned.

I was so upset, I could barely see straight. This was so messed up. “So… what do they want me to sign?”

Mark slid the folder onto the table. “A contract stating you won’t stake any claim to Alexander Getty’s empire, or affiliate with any group who might. In return, Marciano ensures you’re left alone, protected, from Ralph or any Getty associates.” He paused, lowering his voice. “He’s also willing to pay you a considerable sum to keep quiet about your lineage unless he says otherwise.”

I stifled a sob. “He’s using me to get leverage?”

Mark shrugged.

“My mother died at their hands, and now I’m supposed to… sign away my rights and for dirty money?”

One of the goons spoke up. “You either sign, or your friend here, and any biker scum you know might meet an early grave. We clear?”

I glanced at Chigger in alarm, but Mark tightened his grip on my shoulder.

“Let Chigger go, and I’ll sign.”

They waved him out of the house with their guns.

“Lexi,” Mark whispered, meeting my eyes. “This is the only way. They’ll kill you and everyone you care about if you don’t. I tried to get a better deal. This is it.”

Shuddering, I sank into the chair, tears spilling. “Fine. Give me the pen,” I managed, my voice shaking like a leaf.

Mark nudged the pen toward me, flipping to the last page. My thoughts whirled. Maverick would want me to fight. But Maverick was nowhere to be found. He had his own problems. And he’d effectively broken me. Besides, he had his wife back, the woman who had been tattooed on his arm. I had learned so much, like Sky had a son that Maverick loved, too.

If anything, I was a roadblock for him. I stood in the way of having his wife back, his lost love, a family, even. And we barely knew each other. He said there had been countless women. I figured I was just one of the many. Many one-night stands. God, there had even been another woman who he took to the Road Monsters' clubhouse. Thinking of it, it all became so clear. I was nothing to that biker. Maybe this was my only chance at living peacefully.

I scrawled my signature on the first page, tears dropping onto the paper. The goons nodded. One of them pulled out a phone, texting someone. “It’s as good as done,” he muttered to the other. They holstered their guns, tension easing.

Mark rubbed my back, a gesture I found both comforting and intrusive. But it did nothing to erase my grief and anger.

I was signing my life to these monsters, but what choice did I have?

Mark pointed to more pages for me to initial, but suddenly, the door slammed open again, and my heart leaped into my throat. Maverick.

My gaze snapped to him, battered and furious, shoulder bandaged, eyes wild with panic.

God, how did he find me?