Page 69 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

ATTIKUS

Three days after Dr. Messina’s death, the media storm began.

My friends and I had released some information to the hungry media to nibble on.

The news outlets couldn’t stop talking about the Claude family, the CIA, Harris Pharmaceuticals, or The Trogyn.

Different news stations created their own theories of what had happened and the crimes that involved powerful people across the globe.

Although we also leaked information about the First Lady resembling Ashton Lindor, no other media outlet mentioned it, except for Musepaper. I was certain the President and his people had ordered the media to leave him and his wife out of the drama.

I knew those involved were busy trying to patch up all the holes in their massive organizations, but there were too many. People had already peeked in and seen things. This was only phase one of my plan.

I wanted them on edge.

Vengeance had propelled me until Vanessa entered my life and took over the steering wheel. My heart was hers. Everything I did—and would do—was for her. Today, I needed to focus on my love.

I glanced at my watch and smiled, imagining her leaping with joy. Turning off my computer, I walked into the kitchen and found Vanessa stirring a pot.

“I have to run out. Do you need me to pick up anything?” I asked.

I loved seeing her in my kitchen. Her presence warmed the house better than any fireplace.

She didn’t know it yet, but I had bought her apartment building.

When I reached out to the landlord to pay the rest of her lease, he told me he was selling it and moving to Florida.

I took the opportunity and bought the building for a fair price.

It was prime real estate, with a ground-level studio space.

She could always go back there to paint whatever she wanted.

When I bought it, I didn’t realize how handy that space would come to be.

“Can you get some scallions? I forgot to buy some. I’m making you the chicken porridge you love so much.”

“Thank you for loving me.” I wrapped my arms around my beautiful girlfriend and kissed her. “You should grow scallions in the greenhouse. Everything is growing like crazy.”

“It’s fabulous, isn’t it?” Her eyes brightened.

“You checked it out? I can start cutting lettuce and cucumbers to make a salad soon. I plan on planting scallions and ginger too.” She placed a lid on the pot.

“I have a proposal. Can you please start another greenhouse so I can grow everything I need for my terrarium? I can buy local, but I also want to grow my own plants.”

“It’ll be here next week.” I kissed her.

“Thank you! How did you know?”

“I can read you, Lily Pad.” I smiled. “It’s obvious. You successfully used the greenhouse to grow food for us to eat, so why not grow plants for your terrarium? That way, you can control what you’re getting.”

“You’re the best.” She threw her arms around me. “This is why I can’t stop cooking for you. One way to show you love someone is by cooking for them.” She turned back to check on the porridge.

“You’re going to make me fat.”

She rubbed my stomach. “Your abs are made of stone. Nothing can make them fat.”

“It must be those edible painting sessions that burn a lot of calories.” I grinned. “We should do it multiple times a week. We’ll have our own collection of abstract art.”

“You still want to display those paintings in your museum?”

“Of course.” I shrugged a shoulder. “It’ll be called Paintings of Passion .”

Her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Your friends will see parts of your ass. Are you okay with that?”

“I’ve got a nice ass. Nothing to be ashamed of.” I touched her chin. “If you’re okay with your friends seeing your boobs and other parts of your body, why should I be shy?”

She sighed in defeat. “You’re a strange man, but I love you.”

“I love you too. See you soon.”

When I was with Vanessa, my world had so much color—so much love. It practically oozed out of me. That sounded cheesy, but it was the truth. I didn’t know how else to describe it. When a man admitted that love oozed out of him, he was hopelessly in love. There was no going back.

I smiled like a fool as I got to my car and drove off. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. The journey to this moment had been difficult, but it was worth it because of Vanessa. She was the blessing I came home to every day. Because of this, I’d do anything to protect her.

I’d give my life to ensure the woman I loved was safe.

I stopped at the grocery store to pick up scallions and four bouquets of flowers.

Then I drove to Vanessa’s apartment building, entered the hallway, and took the elevator up to her apartment.

As I walked through, I made a mental checklist of all the things that needed an update.

The walls needed a fresh coat of paint; the lighting was outdated, and the rug needed to be replaced.

I arrived at her apartment and knocked, even though I had a key.

When the door opened, Mom Gigi and Ellen greeted me with hugs and gestured for me to enter. Hannah Lam sat on the couch drinking something.

She placed her cup down, rushed over, and embraced me. “Thank you for helping me escape.”

“You’re welcome.” I offered each woman a bouquet, saving one for Vanessa.

“Thank you. You’re so thoughtful.” Hannah took the flowers and brought them to the kitchen sink while Mom Gig and Ellen placed their bouquets on the coffee table.

My team had extracted Hannah when a van took her and other inmates out to the highway for a cleanup.

Though Vanessa had told Leo she no longer wanted him to extract her mom, they had refused.

So I changed tactics and killed them before they could get to her.

The inmate, Hannah Lam, was now considered dead.

A dead body was dressed up as her to make it look like an inmate from The Women’s Facility had died in a van during her community work.

She returned with a vase of flowers and placed it on the coffee table.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out her new social security card, driver’s license, and passport. “For you to start over.”

“Heidi Lam,” she muttered, looking down at the cards. Her hands trembled and tears streamed down her face. “I don’t know what to say. A simple thank you isn’t enough.”

“I love your daughter, and I want her to be happy. Getting you out of prison has been her priority all these years.”

The rescue occurred two days ago. But I wanted things to die down a bit before I informed Vanessa.

“Can I see her now?”

“That’s why I’m here. Vanessa is making chicken porridge. I think your presence is going to make her day. “

I looked at Mom Gigi and Ellen. “You’re invited to dinner too.”

“Even if you hadn’t invited us, we would’ve barged in,” Ellen said. “I’m proud of you, little brother.”

“A compliment from you usually means you want something. So what is it?

She punched me in the biceps. “Can’t a sister compliment her brother?”

As they piled into my SUV, Heidi asked, “Canyou please stop by the SaigonBistro? I would like to get some bánh mì . Haven’t had them in a long time.”

“Excellent idea. They’re one of my favorites too.”

“Since we’re there, we might as well go in and say hello to Hope,” Mom Gigi said.

“Who’s that?” I asked, pulling into a parking spot.

“You’ll see.”

I couldn’t believe that my mother and sister knew Vanessa’s mom. I’d only discovered this revelation when Heidi had asked to use my phone to call her friends. When she’d typed in Mom Gigi’s number, we’d stared at each other for a moment.

Life was filled with unpredictable moments, and this was one of them.

We entered the restaurant, and like before, it was crowded. But Mom Gigi walked straight through the kitchen to the back and toward the office. The chef, cooks, and servers nodded at her as though she were a VIP member.

What was going on?

She knocked on the office door three times.

The door opened, and an older woman with gray hair stepped out. I’d seen her work at the front desk a few times.

“Hope, look who we have.” Mom Gigi placed a hand on Heidi’s shoulders.

Emotions overwhelmed Heidi as she embraced Hope. The women cried happy tears.

“I’m so happy you’re safe,” Hope said. “I heard on the news about the chaos near the highway.”

“I’m safe, thanks to Attikus.”

Hope smiled at me. “Mom Gigi has told me a lot about you.”

“We’re heading to see Vanessa,” Heidi explained. “We should set up a time to catch up. I have an apartment now.”

“I can’t wait.” Hope patted Heidi’s cheek. “It’s been a long time, but you look as beautiful as always.”

“I’d like to order like six bánh mì , if that’s okay?”

“Of course. It’s on the house. Do you want anything else? Fried rice, noodles, a mango shake, some fresh spring rolls?”

“Sure. I haven’t had them in a while.”

An hour later, we all returned to the car and headed home.

I turned to Mom Gigi, sitting in the front seat. “How do you know Hope?”

“We’re friends from a long time ago. I’ll tell you when we get to your house. Vanessa would want to know too.”

I couldn’t wait to see Vanessa’s surprise.