Page 49

Maverick

I gunned the throttle, the wind slicing across my cheeks, tasting of dust and open road. The black SUV carrying Lexi and the baby trailed behind, guided by Chigger and Nova. We’d managed to get everyone safely into Oklahoma, just barely across the Texas state line, and holed up in a little rental cottage tucked away off some old highway. It wasn’t much, but at least there was enough cover that Mark’s men or the mob wouldn’t find us easily.

One step at a time, I kept telling myself. First, get Lexi and the baby out of Texas. Next, head for Maine, where the Kings of Anarchy MC welcomed me once before. But the plan had changed a bit, thanks to Kingpin’s meddling, or maybe to his benefit, hard to say.

With Lexi out cold, it gave me my first moments with the baby. I would never call him Mark. He was Adam, and he already owned my heart. Even though Nova offered to step in, I was determined to be the one to help him settle in.

Once Lexi woke, Nova broke the news to her gently as I cradled Adam. Of course, she was confused and then angry at us for taking her. Because she was also terrified that the mob would find us, kill us all. When Lexi rested her head on my shoulder, I knew there was hope for us. Still, that first night I gave her some space.

We rolled up to the next cabin just as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in purples and golds. Nova parked the SUV a ways down a gravel patch, and I pulled my Harley alongside. The air was muggy, cicadas droning in the trees. The baby cried from inside the car, and I saw Lexi step out, worry etched on her face.

“We’re here,” I told her, gently taking the diaper bag from her weak grip. She was exhausted, understandably, after being uprooted so unexpectedly. I hated the guilt gnawing at my gut. If I’d come sooner, maybe she wouldn’t have spent a year in that sham of a marriage. If I’d never left her behind in the first place…

But regrets could wait. We had a job. Keep her safe from Mark, from Marciano, from all the mob connections. And that meant forging a new path north. This time, I wouldn’t use phony names or hide behind the shadows. I was Maverick, still a Road Monster, but I’d called in favors from Kingpin. Hell, I basically sold my soul to the biker president for his help. It was complicated, like everything else in this twisted underground.

We crowded into the small living room with mismatched furniture and faded wallpaper. Chigger carried in supplies, bags of groceries, extra diapers, the random stuff Nova had prepped. Nova herself busied with checking windows, while I locked the front door, scanning for any sign of watchers.

Lexi stood at the center of the room, holding the baby tight. She looked so small, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar space. Her dark hair was tied back, revealing the worry lines on her forehead. I ached to hold her, to promise it’d all be okay, but I knew trust didn’t come easy after I’d barged into her life again and practically kidnapped her.

“There’s two bedrooms down the hall,” Nova said, returning from her quick inspection. “One’s got a crib. We did our best on short notice.”

Lexi gave a strained nod, cradling the baby closer. “Thank you,” she murmured. Her voice trembled, and I knew she was overwhelmed.

I reached out, wanting to rest a hand on her shoulder, but paused, unsure if she’d welcome my touch. Her eyes flickered to mine, and for a moment, I read a swirl of emotions, fear, longing, confusion. Then she looked away, heading down the hall to check on the crib.

Chigger cleared his throat. “So, we staying the night, or are we pushing on?”

I sighed, sinking onto the worn couch. “We’ll stay the night. Kid needs rest. Tomorrow, we head north.”

Nova nodded in agreement, then cast me a curious look. “Any word from Kingpin? Did he finalize that deal with Ralph Getty?”

I swept my hair back with my hand. “Yeah, called him earlier. He said he gave Ralph the intel on Marciano’s double-cross about Lexi, so Getty’s wanting to cut a new deal, one that sets Lexi free from her old arrangement with Marciano and Mark. But it requires some bullshit contract that ensures she’s not the rightful heir to the Getty empire.”

Chigger snorted. “Mob politics, man. So basically, if she’s Alexander Getty’s kid, that’s a threat to Ralph’s claim. So they want to disprove her heritage or something?”

I nodded. “Exactly. Kingpin said they’ll have her sign a contract and do a DNA test, but they’ll rig it so it shows she’s not a Getty. They just need someone else to claim fatherhood. And apparently, Kingpin volunteered. He said it’s not impossible, given how many men Dirty Diana was with back in the day while she was in Nashville.”

Nova let out a disbelieving laugh. “So Lexi’s father on paper will be Kingpin? That’s twisted as hell. Then you’d be hooking up with the daughter of your mortal enemy.”

My stomach knotted at the idea. “Let’s not dwell on that,” I muttered. “Kingpin is not as much my enemy as a necessary evil. Anyway, that’s the plan, so Lexi can be free from any Getty inheritance nonsense and the mob’s interest.”

Chigger chuckled. “Damn. That’s messed up, but if it works, it works.”

I exhaled, glancing toward the hallway where Lexi had disappeared. “Nothing’s certain. We’ll see once the test is done. Then we go to Maine. Let the Kings of Anarchy provide cover.”

Night fell, and we divvied up sleeping arrangements. Nova and Chigger claimed the smaller bedroom, leaving Lexi and the baby the slightly bigger one. That forced me to sprawl on the couch, a lumpy old thing that squeaked whenever I moved. Fine by me. I didn’t want to push Lexi into sharing a room, not yet.

Early morning arrived with the smell of instant coffee that Chigger brewed in the tiny kitchen. I lumbered in, bleary-eyed, running my hand over my jaw scruff. Nova was packing a cooler of snacks while Lexi rocked the baby in the corner, wearing the same tired expression.

“We head out soon,” I said, clearing my throat. “Got the route planned, straight up through Missouri, Illinois, then cut east. Should be a few days’ ride.”

Lexi nodded, adjusting the baby’s bottle. “What about the DNA test Nova mentioned? How does that work if we’re on the run?”

I leaned against the counter. “Kingpin said he’ll have a contact meet us halfway, or we can mail a sample. Once it’s processed, they’ll handle forging the results, assuming you’re a Getty. But if you’re not, we might not need the forgery. Then you sign some contract, say you have no claim, and that’s it.”

She chewed her lip, eyes darting to her son. “And if I am Alexander Getty’s daughter?”

My chest clenched. “Then they’ll fake the test, using Kingpin’s DNA to say he is your real father.” The words tasted bitter. “He volunteered for that, said it’s plausible enough.”

A flicker of shock crossed her features. “Then I’d be Kingpin’s daughter? Some random biker like mom always said. But I guess I wouldn’t be an heir to the mob.”

I forced a nod, ignoring the weird swirl of jealousy. I’d be in love with Kingpin’s daughter? His fake daughter. That would make my ex, Eve, her fake stepmother. The universe had a twisted sense of humor.

We made the grueling ride north over the next several days, stopping only for quick motel stays and to let the baby rest. Chigger drove the SUV with Lexi and Nova while I rode ahead on my Harley, scouting. Each mile put more distance between us and Mark or Marciano’s men. I checked my phone frequently, expecting some kind of pursuit. Nothing materialized.

Finally, after crossing state lines and winding through pine forests, we reached the Kings of Anarchy MC in Maine. Their president, Solo, greeted us with a curt nod. They’d prepared a small apartment above their clubhouse for Lexi and the baby, ensuring privacy. The place smelled faintly of sawdust and motor oil, but it was livable.

Lexi looked relieved yet wary as she settled the baby’s car seat in a corner. “Thank you,” she told Solo softly.

He just shrugged. “Any friend of Maverick’s is a friend of ours. You’ll be safe here.”

We sent off Lexi’s DNA sample, just a cheek swab. It took Kingpin a couple of weeks to process it through his contact. Those were tense days. We roamed the clubhouse, living in borrowed rooms, uncertain if Mark or Marciano had a clue where we were. But none of their men showed up. Maybe we shook them off for good.

Lexi was distant, though I caught her watching me with conflicted eyes whenever I played peekaboo with the baby. She never forbade me from holding him, but she never invited me either. It felt as if a storm were about to break. We needed a proper conversation, but she kept busy, holed up in the little apartment with the baby. I busied myself constantly on guard, watching for trouble that was bound to find us, eventually. Therefore, we hovered in a strange limbo.

Finally, Kingpin called. I took the call outside the clubhouse, pacing near a row of Harleys under the pine trees. The summer air in Maine was warm enough, not oppressive like the months that were coming, and the distant crash of ocean waves always provided a soothing backdrop.

“Maverick,” came a gruff voice. Kingpin used the right name. “We got the results.”

I was on edge, waiting. “And?”

He hesitated, then let out a low chuckle. “She’s not a Getty. No forging required.”

I froze. “Wait, so… the test says she’s not Alexander’s kid?”

A rustle on the line. “It did say she’s related to… a powerful man.”

“Who?”

“Handsome fellow, but a mean son of a bitch. Big dick.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Kingpin?”

“Test says Lexi is really related to me. Dipshit.” Kingpin sounded weirdly resigned. “I guess Dirty Diana was blackmailing me for a reason. She always threatened to reveal something big, but I never figured… Anyway, her DNA matches me. She’s my daughter. Like I said, no forging required.”

Shock pulsed through me. Lexi is Kingpin’s daughter? That was a revelation I never saw coming. “You sure you didn’t rig that test?” I asked, half-joking, half-panicked.

He gave a dry laugh. “I wanted to. But the doc said it was a perfect match. So that’s the truth. I fathered a kid with Diana I never knew about.”

I raked a hand through my hair. “Jesus. That means… She’s your daughter. And I… we, uh…” My mind scrambled. I was in love with Kingpin’s daughter? Had a kid with her. His grandson?

He growled. “I’m not thrilled about you being with her, Pig. Even if I never knew her. But it solves the Getty problem. She’s not an heir, so Ralph and Marciano have no claim. She’s free.”

My head swirled. “So now what?”

He grunted. “If you truly want her, do right by her. Otherwise, stay the hell away. I never liked you anyway. But I guess, I’m a grandad.” He ended the call abruptly.

I stood there, phone in hand, the pine-scented breeze ruffling my hair. Lexi is Kingpin’s daughter. That explained Diana’s threats. A wave of relief mingled with dread. At least she was safe from the Getty empire, but now we had the awkward reality that she was the daughter of my longtime enemy. So be it. I wouldn’t let that keep me from her if she wanted me.

The clubhouse was quieter than usual, most of the Kings out on a charity ride. The small apartment above was quiet, too. I rapped lightly on the door. A second later, Lexi opened, baby cradled to her chest. She looked tired, but there was a glint in her eyes, some combination of worry and curiosity at my arrival.

“Hey,” I said, stepping inside.

She shut the door behind me, fiddling with the baby’s blanket. “Hey. Did you hear something?”

I nodded, keeping my voice low. “Yeah, Kingpin got the results. You’re not a Getty. You’re… his daughter.”

“They forged the results, then.”

“No, oddly enough, your mom had been telling you the truth all these years. Even if she was blackmailing Getty, you weren’t his kid. You were a random biker’s kid. Kingpin’s. That’s why when Ralph and Sky came after her and you, she wanted to spill her secrets on Kingpin. You weren’t Getty’s, you were his.”

Her expression froze, color draining from her cheeks. “So, it’s actually true?” she whispered. “I’m Kingpin’s kid?” The baby fussed, as if sensing her distress. She tried to soothe him with gentle pats. “That’s insane. I, I never imagined.”

I stepped closer. “He said your mom used to… hang around his club, Royal Road, around the same time she was with Alexander Getty. Kingpin slept with her back then, too. It aligns with everything. Look, the bottom line is you’re safe from Ralph. No more mob claims. No more Mark. You’re free.”

She exhaled, tears brimming. “Free. Right. But I still can’t go back to my old life. I… I’m married to Mark, and even if he can’t hold that arrangement over me with the mob, he might still fight me for custody.”

Pain lanced my chest at the idea of losing her again. But I tried to keep calm. “You can divorce him, Lex. If he tries anything, you have me behind you. I’ll fight that bastard if necessary. Besides, little Adam is my child. We’ll prove it. He won’t take him.”

She swallowed, placing the baby in a portable crib near the wall. Then she faced me, her eyes flicking with panic. “Maverick, you have to realize how crazy this all is. I barely escaped with my life. Now I find out my father is… a man you claimed was your sworn enemy. And I’m here in Maine, with you, after you basically kidnapped me. My mind is a mess.”

I reached for her hand, and this time she let me take it. “I know. But I’m sorry, I had to do something. I couldn’t let you stay with that snake. You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

Her gaze locked onto mine. “I… I don’t blame you for rescuing me, but it’s a lot to process. And we have a baby, yours, not Mark’s. What do we do?” Her voice cracked, tears pooling.

My heart knocked as I gently cupped her cheek. “We make a fresh start. I’ll take you and the baby in. We’ll stay in Maine if you want, or somewhere else safe. I want to be a family, Lexi. Marry me.”

Her eyes went wide, tears spilling. “Marry you?” She let out a shaky laugh. “I’m already married, remember?”

I grimaced. “We’ll get it annulled or divorced. Once Mark realizes the mob has no interest in you, he can’t blackmail you. We have Kingpin’s arrangement that you’re not a Getty. He no longer has a stranglehold, right?”

She hesitated, looking down at our joined hands. “I guess so, but Mark might not give up easily. He’s a vindictive bastard.”

I shrugged, determination burning in my chest. “Then I’ll make him. One way or another. I’m not leaving you or the baby. I want you both.”

She trembled, tears falling silently. “I… I love you, Maverick. I never stopped. But you hurt me. You left me, and I ended up in that mansion. It nearly killed my spirit.”

My throat closed. “I know. I’m sorry. I was so messed up, thinking you wanted Mark, or that you were safe. I was wrong. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let me.”

She blinked, voice choking on a sob. “I don’t know if I can just… trust you completely again. Not yet. But we have a son. I can’t deny that. And I’m so relieved I don’t have to hide it anymore.”

We stood there, gazes locked in a fragile moment. Then she sniffled, shaking her head. “I can’t say yes to marriage until I sort out this divorce. Or see what Mark does. But… I won’t run from you anymore.”

Relief swept through me. I dared to lean in, pressing my lips to hers, tasting the salt from her tears. She gasped, but her arms slipped around my neck, and she kissed me back, a wave of longing surging between us. My heart pounded, breath hitching with the pent-up passion of a year’s separation.

When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers. “We’ll figure out the details. For now, can we at least try to rebuild what we had?”

She clung to my jacket, eyes glimmering. “Yes. Let’s try.”

A soft cry from the baby broke the moment. She pulled away, going to soothe him. I watched with a bittersweet ache. He’s mine. Our child. My chest swelled with both pride and sorrow, thinking of all the milestones I missed. But maybe I’d be there for the rest.

Later that night, after dinner and an uneasy hush settled over the small apartment, I slipped out to the hallway. I found Lexi pacing with the baby, trying to get him to sleep. I touched her shoulder gently, offering to take him so she could rest. She allowed me to cradle him, my heart soaring at the weight of my son in my arms. The first of many moments, I vowed silently.

We’d face Mark’s wrath soon enough. He’d probably unleash every legal trick, maybe send men to find her. But we had the Kings’ protection, and the truth was on our side. Lexi wasn’t a Getty, so Marciano had no claim. Mark had no leverage but threats. Let him come. I’d stand at Lexi’s side now, not cowering in the shadows. She might be Kingpin’s daughter, ironically making me the black sheep dating the boss’s kid, but that was a worry for another time.

Right now, her soft breathing behind me, the baby’s small hand grasping my finger… that was enough. I pressed a gentle kiss to his downy head, tears pricking my eyes. I’d never abandon them again, no matter who tried to tear us apart.