Page 48

A throbbing ache pulsed in my temples when I drifted back to consciousness. I peeled my eyes open, squinting at a living room that definitely wasn’t Nova’s. My head pounded, mouth dry, disoriented.

Panic flared. Where’s my baby?! I jerked upright, scanning the unfamiliar space. The furniture was old-fashioned, worn couches with a southwestern pattern, and a coffee table of distressed wood. Low lamplight revealed drawn curtains over a big window. I got a hint of engine oil and leather.

Nova’s voice startled me. “Hey, you’re awake.” She was perched on a recliner, fiddling with her phone.

Relief and confusion lingered. “Nova?” My voice cracked. “What happened? Where’s my baby?”

Her eyes flicked behind me. I turned, heart lurching, to see a broad figure stepping in from another room, cradling my infant. The child let out a gentle coo, and the man carefully handed him from one arm to the other. My breath caught.

Maverick.

He stood there, leather jacket shrugged off to reveal muscular arms, that same smolder in his gaze. My baby, our baby, snoozed in his grip, tiny head tucked under Maverick’s chin. The sight nearly broke me.

I shot off the couch, vision swimming. “Give him to me,” I said in a choked whisper, arms outstretched. Fear mingled with outrage.

How dare they take me from my home?

Maverick stepped closer, carefully transferring the baby into my waiting arms. “He’s safe,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion. “Took me hours to get him to settle, but I managed.”

I clutched my son, half sobbing. “What the hell, Nova? Did you drug me or something?” I glared at her, fresh tears burning my eyes. “How could you do this?”

Nova lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry, Lex. You left me no choice. You were too locked in Mark’s grip to see reason. Chigger and I, we just want you safe, truly safe. We planned this… got Maverick’s help. It was the only way.”

I stared in disbelief. “You… you kidnapped me?”

Maverick cleared his throat. “Think of it as a rescue.” His eyes shone with a quiet intensity.

Anger flared, competing with relief. My baby wriggled in my arms, reminding me to keep my temper. “Mark, he’ll freak out, call the mob. They’ll kill us all. Don’t you get it?”

Nova stood, pacing. “Let him try. Chigger’s arranged for us to disappear if needed. The baby’s father is here. You don’t need Mark or his hush money. If we all vanish, the mob has no leverage. We have resources.”

I shook my head, tears dripping. “You don’t know how powerful Marciano is. Or Mark’s father. They have their claws everywhere.”

Maverick’s jaw flexed. “So we run. As a nomad, I know how. And if they come after us, I’ll bury them. I’m done letting you suffer in that bastard’s mansion.”

My breath came in ragged gasps. A swirl of longing and terror battered me. “I… God, I can’t believe you two. This is insane.”

Nova stepped closer, placing a tentative hand on my shoulder. “Lex, we did what we had to do. You and the baby deserve a life free from threats.”

I glanced at the baby. He blinked awake, eyes so like Maverick’s. My throat tightened. Could this truly be freedom? Or just another tragedy in the making?

Maverick exhaled slowly. “I’m sorry for scaring you. But I had to do something. The second Nova told me about her plan, I jumped at it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “This is your chance, Lexi, to break free.”

A whirlwind of conflicting emotions seized me. The child fussed, picking up on my turmoil. I rocked him gently. “He’s hungry,” I mumbled, sidestepping the bigger conversation.

Nova gestured to a small dining area. “There’s formula and supplies. We planned for everything.” She cast me a hopeful look. “Let’s feed him, talk it through.”

I bit my lip. “You expect me to just… be okay with this? You drugged me, took me from my home.” I was so upset I could barely see. “Mark’s going to lose his shit.”

Maverick’s expression flattened. “Let him. Let the mob come. I’ll handle it.” The fierce protectiveness in his eyes sparked a deep memory of the times I’d felt truly safe in his arms.

Still, my shoulders wouldn’t relax. Maybe this was my only escape. My entire body yearned to collapse into Maverick’s embrace, sobbing out the months of fear and loneliness. But a swirl of guilt clung to me. I lied to him for so long, insisted he had no role. Now I’m forced to rely on him.

Nova gently guided me toward a worn couch. “Sit, feed your baby. Then we’ll figure out the next step. We have a plan, Lex. You’re not alone.”

My eyes burned as I sank onto the cushions, the baby in my arms. Could I trust them? Could we outrun the entire Syndicate, Marciano and Mark’s father’s resources? Questions hammered my brain, but a fragile hope glimmered in the distance. Maybe there was a way to keep my son safe without living in a fancy prison.

Kneeling beside me, Maverick's warmth evoked memories of our love. "We'll protect you." His voice choked with emotion. “Me, Chigger, Nova, we’ll do whatever it takes.”

I met his gaze, tears finally slipping free. “I’m terrified,” I admitted. “But… I don’t want to go back to that mansion. Ever.”

A soft smile touched his lips, a promise blazing in his eyes. “Then you won’t.”

As the baby nuzzled against me, I let out a trembling breath, leaning into Maverick’s shoulder for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. Outside, night descended, but inside, a light came on inside me. Hope flickered. My captivity was over, replaced by a new fight for freedom, and possibly a second chance at love.