Page 46

Lexi

I cradled my son. Mark Adam Martin , or so the birth certificate read, against my chest, bouncing him gently as I paced the marble foyer. My footsteps echoed in the high-ceilinged mansion, the same echo that made me feel alone no matter how large the place was. The baby whimpered, fussing from the heat, or perhaps picking up on my nerves. I pressed a kiss to his downy hair, tears pricking my eyes. God, you look so much like your real father.

Mark was at some late meeting, or so he claimed, leaving me with the baby in this cavernous house. I’d grown accustomed to the staff milling around, housekeepers, a chef, a couple of discreet security men, but it never seemed homelike. It was more like a gilded cage. A cage I’d chosen for the sake of survival.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I gently lowered baby Mark into his bassinet, ensuring he was settled, then hurried to snatch the device. A text from Nova:

Nova: Maverick knows.

Nova: He saw the picture. He’s on his way.

My heart slammed against my ribs. He’s on his way. Maverick. Panic and longing warred in my chest. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I typed back with trembling fingers:

Me: What? He’s here in Dallas? Nova, how?!

Nova responded almost instantly:

Nova: He was at that rally. Chigger got drunk and spilled everything. He scrolled my phone, saw the baby pics. I’m so sorry.

My eyes brimmed with tears. Damn it, Chigger. Fear spiked. If Maverick confronted Mark or the mob, someone might die. My entire world threatened to crumble. I typed back:

Me: He can’t come here! Mark has threatened me before, plus the mob is still watching. If Maverick storms in… oh God.

Nova’s next text came quickly:

Nova: I know. He’s furious, Lex. He’s sure the baby is his. I thought he just stormed off, but Chigger just said he left for Dallas that night. A couple days ago.

A sob escaped my throat. Of course the baby was his. But I’d told everyone it was Mark’s or at least implied it.

“Shit,” I whispered, pacing. What do I do now?

Me: I don’t know how to keep him away. I can’t let him get shot or… Mark’s father has connections, you know. They’ll kill him.

Nova: Just keep your head. We can figure this out. Maybe call me if he shows up. Good luck. I’m sorry.

My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the phone. Baby Mark let out a soft cry from his bassinet, and I hurried back to rub his little belly, fighting tears. “It’s okay, sweet boy,” I murmured. “Everything’s fine.”

But it wasn’t. Nothing was fine. Mark wanted me to keep up this facade indefinitely, pretending the baby was his. If Maverick clashed with him, there’d be blood. The entire reason I’d agreed to this hellish arrangement was to protect Maverick, Nova, Chigger… everyone. Damn it, Maverick, I thought, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Why did you have to come back now?

The doorbell rang. I froze, heart in my throat. The baby whimpered again, maybe sensing my terror. I glanced at the clock, eight-thirty in the evening. Could that be Mark? Usually, he let himself in. Maybe it was a package or… Maverick. My pulse raced.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Delgado, quickly approached from the side hallway. She gave me a questioning look. “Should I get it, ma’am?”

I swallowed. “Yes, but let me see who it is.”

She nodded, stepping toward the grand double doors. I trailed behind, baby fussing in my arms. The door opened to reveal none other than the biker, standing on the porch, eyes dark with anger and something deeper. My knees almost buckled. He wore a worn leather jacket, dusty torn jeans, his hair unruly from the ride. My throat went dry. God, he looked the same but lines of pain were etched around his eyes.

“Lexi,” he said, his eyes everywhere at once.

Mrs. Delgado peered at me for direction.

My mind screamed Send him away , but my heart fought it. I cleared my throat. “It’s okay. I’ll handle this.”

She hesitated, then bowed slightly and retreated down the hall. Maverick stepped inside before I could say otherwise, boots echoing on the marble. My chest pounded, baby Mark squirming in my arms. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing us in the foyer, a place too lavish for an outlaw like him. He looked around with a sneer.

“So this is your new house?” he muttered, gaze flicking over the marble floors and ornate fixtures.

I cradled the baby closer, my voice trembling. “You can’t be here. If Mark finds you…”

His brow furrowed. “I don’t give a damn about Mark. I’m here to see my kid.”

A shiver ran down my spine. He’s not wrong. But fear roiled in my gut. Mark had powerful allies. They could kill Maverick if they caught him here. “Mark already knows you might be the father,” I lied. Mark one hundred percent knew it for a fact. “He doesn’t care. But I do. If he comes home now, he’ll kill you.”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed. “Then we’ll see who ends up dead.” He stepped closer, voice low with anger. “You’re leaving with me. Pack your shit, give me the kid. Let’s go.”

My heart twisted. “No. I can’t uproot my life. I have to keep the baby safe. And you’re married, Maverick. Aren’t you?” The bitterness seeped out of me. “Sky, your wife, did you bring her along for the ride?”

He flinched, pain flashing in his eyes. “No. She betrayed me, Lexi. She tried to lead the mob right to you. That’s how I got shot in Kansas. She wanted you dead, maybe to protect her own child’s claim to the Getty empire or some bullshit. She’s gone, all right? She and I are finished. Had been since the day you signed that contract.”

A wave of confusion and regret hit me.

All this time, I assumed he chose her.

“I… I didn’t know,” I said, throat constricting. “I thought you were off living happily. That’s what I was told.” My voice cracked. “Mark told me if I didn’t marry him, he’d have the mob come after you again. He threatened Nova and Chigger. I couldn’t risk it.” I lowered my gaze, tears slipping down. “I had to let him claim the baby, pretend it was his.”

He exhaled, anger warring with hurt in his dark eyes. “And you never even let me know?” He stared at the infant in my arms, who squirmed under our strained voices. “We made this kid. You lied to me.”

Guilt swamped me. “I’m sorry. I believed you were gone, that you had a wife and no place for me. Then the mob threatened everyone I cared about. I didn’t see another way.”

He clenched his fists. “Well, I’m here now. Let’s fix this. Come with me. I’ll protect you both. I promise. ” His voice grew desperate, stepping closer until we were mere inches apart.

My heart ached, wanting to fling myself into his arms. But reality intruded. Mark’s threats, the constant watch by the mob, the hush money, the entire precarious arrangement. “No,” I whispered. “I can’t. I have to keep my baby safe.”

He stared at me, anguish etched on his face. “You think I can’t keep her safe? I’d die for you both.”

Tears dripped onto my cheeks. “And that’s exactly why I won’t risk it. You could die. And then who’s left to protect the baby? Marciano’s men might kill me for breach of contract.” I forced a bitter laugh. “I’m not free, Maverick.”

He growled under his breath, glancing around, probably half-expecting Mark’s security to bust in. “At least let me see the kid,” he snapped. “Let me hold her?”

A pang shot through me, remembering the child’s official name: Mark Adam Martin . Adam , like Maverick’s real name. Mark didn’t know why I chose it. But I was too terrified to hand him over. Mark had cameras in half the rooms. He might see. “It’s a boy,” I choked out. “Named him… Mark Adam.”

Maverick’s face twisted at the mention of “Mark.” Then he winced, as if hearing “Adam” gave him a spark of recognition. “Goddamn it,” he rasped. “You named him Adam? That’s, that’s my middle name. You do realize that, right?”

I nodded, tears threatening again. “I know. I had to pretend Mark was the father, but… I guess I tried to honor you somehow.” My throat burned. “You can see him, just… for a second. Then you have to go.”

He let out a shivering breath. “Fine, let me see my son.”

I cradled the infant carefully so Maverick could look. He reached out hesitantly, but something in my eyes must’ve warned him off, and he let his hand drop. We stood there, side by side, staring at the tiny face. The baby blinked up at Maverick, wriggling a fist in the air. A muscle in Maverick’s jaw twitched, raw emotion shining in his eyes.

He recognized himself in that child. The resemblance was too strong to deny.

Finally, Maverick sucked in a breath. “He’s… perfect,” he whispered. “We made a perfect kid.”

My heart cracked wide open. “Yes,” I murmured, tears streaming silently. “And now you’ve seen him, so please go. For your own safety and ours. Just go.”

He blew air out his nose. “You can’t be fucking serious. I’m not leaving my kid with that bastard you married.”

I brushed past him, baby in my arms, guiding him gently toward the door. “I’m sorry,” I croaked. “But I can’t risk Mark’s wrath. He might call Marciano, and the mob would slaughter us all. If you really care, you’ll keep your distance.”

He spun me around, eyes flashing with anger. “I can’t do that.”

I trembled, tears burning my eyes. “You have to.”

He hesitated, rage and heartbreak raging behind his expression. Then, with a muttered curse, he stepped back, nodding. “I’ll find a way, Lexi,” he said, like it was a promise. “I won’t let you suffer under that prick.”

I shook my head miserably. “I’m happy here,” I lied, hoping he’d believe it. “Mark is… good to me.” The words tasted like ash. “Just… go.”

Slowly, Maverick walked to the door, pausing once to cast a final look at me and the baby. His eyes shone with sorrow. Then he turned the knob and slipped out into the night, leaving the mansion silent.

The moment the door clicked shut, my knees nearly buckled. A wide-eyed butler stepped forward from the shadows. “Ma’am, are you all right?” he asked softly.

I clutched the baby, tears choking me. “I’m fine,” I snapped automatically, then softened. “I’m sorry. It’s just… a friend from my old life. He had no business being here.”

The butler nodded politely, but his gaze flicked to the door. “Should I inform Mr. Martin that you had a visitor?”

Mark’s staff is always watching. I swallowed. “No need. I’ll… I’ll tell him myself. Thank you.”

He bowed, stepping away. I realized how close I’d come to chaos. If Mark had arrived during that confrontation, Maverick might be dead. Or Mark might have forced me to watch him kill him.

Either way, I have to maintain this facade.

Tears welled as I turned, heading back to the grand living room. The baby fussed again, picking up on my turmoil. I sat on the plush couch, rocking him gently, staring at the massive windows that overlooked a dark, manicured lawn.

I was trapped. Maverick’s sudden reappearance tore open old wounds, reminding me of the illusions and the lies. But I had to act as though I wanted this life with Mark. I’d do anything to keep my child safe, even if it meant crushing my own heart.

As I buried my face in baby Mark’s tiny shoulder, I realized that even though I’d pushed Maverick away, a part of me clung to the hope he’d find a way to free us from this living nightmare. Because no matter how many times I said I was “happy,” I couldn’t ignore the ache in my chest that whispered, You still love him.

But until then, I’d lock my heart behind these mansion walls, pretending everything was fine. Pretending Mark Adam Martin wasn’t truly Mark Adam Hart.