“Duncan wasn’t a douche.”
“Duncan was a total douche,” I countered.
Duncan had been the guy before Donnie, and for a little while, at least, he’d seemed like the perfect guy. He wasn’t.
Poppy groaned. “He’s a nice guy. We still talk on occasion.”
“Ohmigod, don’t let Devon find out,” Grace said. “He’ll lose his shit.”
Poppy frowned. “It’s none of his business.”
“I’d suggest you also keep that opinion from Devon,” Grace said.
“Do you love him?” I asked.
She shrugged.
“She loves him,” Grace said.
“It’s complicated,” Poppy countered. “I want what Mum and Sid have. I won’t settle for less, and I don’t think Devon can give it to me.”
“I think that’s fair enough,” I said. “I wouldn’t settle either.”
Grace sighed. “If only there were more Mavericks in the world.”
“Give Liam a few years.” I smiled. “Hunter and Cash are close behind, too.”
“Too young.”
“Kim’s five years older than Knight is,” Poppy said.
“Hmmm,” Grace mused. “Maybe you’re onto something. Hunter’s gorgeous.”
“Maybe give Hunter a little more time, huh?” I said.
Poppy giggled. “Okay, can we change the subject again and go back to planning the baby showers?”
“Sure,” I said, although I really wanted to dig deeper about Devon. I let it go, though. Poppy would talk about when she was ready.
Lily
Four months later...
I HAD OFFICIALLY reached whale status. I waddled far more than I walked, but I had less than a month to go until our little girl would finally be in my arms. To say that Maverick and I were beyond excited would be an understatement.
My ladies’ high tea had been a blast, and I’d been gifted with enough diapers to last at least a year... maybe more. Mom and Dad had bought us a crib, and Maverick’s parents had bought us a kickass stroller and a pack and play thing for travel. Maverick’s grandparents, Patrick and Wendy, had bought us the safest car seat on the planet, which grew with the baby, so we were set.
Tonight was the Club party, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone. Maverick had been working so much, and I moved only when necessary, so we hadn’t been to a club get-together in months.
My doctor had just put me on medical leave. And although she didn’t relegate me to bed rest, she didn’t want me on my feet all day either, so I was home until I chose to go back to work.
Jenny and the rest of the Spiders were eerily quiet. Maverick and our dads had decided to go a different way than to bust into their compound and “shoot the shit out of everyone in it.” I appreciated that, and so did our moms. Ryder and Sadie (and a few of Ryder’s crew) had been folded into our Club, and I really liked all of them. Reese was grunty, but he reminded me of Hatch, so I liked him despite his monosyllabic tendencies. It probably helped that he was drop-dead gorgeous.
Maverick had indicated that Reese and Ryder were helping to gather information about the Spiders, but he wouldn’t give me any further information, and honestly, I didn’t ask. I liked being sheltered from whatever crap Jenny had in store for me.
“You ready, baby doll?” Maverick asked, peeking into the bedroom.
“Yep,” I said.
“You look gorgeous,” he said.
I had on my favorite pair of maternity jeans, a lacy, low-cut maternity top, and the only pair of shoes that fit me... a pair of black, low-heeled boots.
I closed the distance between us and kissed him. “So do you.”
He wore a button-down shirt under his cut along with tight jeans and motorcycle boots. Maverick classed up the biker look for sure.
“You’re way too pretty to be a biker.”
“So you’ve said.” He stroked my cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Big.”
“You’re beautiful, baby doll.”
“Thanks, Möosh.” I dropped my head to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m grateful this pregnancy has been pretty easy, but I’m ready for Charley to make her entrance now. I’m ready for all of this to be over. I’d love to laugh or sneeze without peeing... or throwing my back out.”
Maverick chuckled. “Mom gave me the name of a good massage therapist. I’m gonna call her next week and set something up for you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, baby, I am.”
I sighed. “I love you.”
“Love you too, baby doll. We should get going.”
I smiled. “Okay... I just need to pee.”
Maverick chuckled. “Of course, you do.”
Once I did my thing, I followed him out to the truck, and he hoisted me inside. We arrived at the compound to find everyone already there... rare for a club whose general philosophy was that time was a suggestion rather than a rule.
Hugs and kisses or gentle pats to my belly commenced as soon as I walked in the door. I loved watching these gruff men melt when talking about the new addition to the Dogs family. I’d even had a few of them offer to babysit.
Once the greetings concluded, Maverick led me to an overstuffed chair where I was not allowed to leave (except to pee) throughout the festivities. It was where I ate and where I opened the mounds of presents, and where Mom and Dad presented us with a trip to Charleston for our belated honeymoon. It was a night full of surprises and generosity unmatched, and by the time Maverick and I got home, I was overwhelmed by the love we’d been shown.
I fell into bed at almost midnight and didn’t wake up until several hours after Maverick had left for work. I decided to haul my huge body up the stairs and hang out with Dad and Rex for a bit.
“Hey, baby girl, how are you feeling?”
“Good. Maverick let me sleep,” I said as I sat at the kitchen island. “I have lost my phone, though, so would you mind calling it?”
“Sure.” He slid his phone out of his pocket and headed downstairs, returning a few minutes later. “It’s not downstairs, Lil.”
“Hmm, maybe I left it in the truck. I could have sworn I had it with me, though.” I waved my hand dismissively. “Pregnancy brain.”
Dad smiled. “I texted Mav and let him know if he needs you, to call me.”
“Thanks.”
A few minutes later, he got a phone call and smiled as he answered. “Hey, Mav.” He scowled, glanced at me, and then turned away. “Yeah?”
I was suddenly on alert. Something was wrong. Before Dad had finished his call, the doorbell rang and then pounding sounded on the door. Dad stalked to the door while I followed.
Pulling it open, we found Cassidy rushing in, tears running down her face. “Someone has Tillie. Carter’s on his way home, but...”
“Listen to me, you conniving cunt, what the fuck have you done?” Dad hissed into the phone.
I grabbed the foyer console to keep from falling over. Dad wasn’t talking to Maverick. He was talking to Jenny. I swallowed convulsively. He was talking to my egg donor who had called from Maverick’s phone.
“I swear to Christ, Jenny, you fuckin’ hurt either of them, or your asshole of an old man or his club hurts either of them, I will kill you. It will be slowly, and you will beg to die,” Dad seethed and hung up.
“What’s going on?” I rasped.
“Hawk?” Cassidy reached for his arm.
Dad shook her off and headed toward the stairs.
“Dad!” I bellowed. “What is going on?”
“I know who has Tillie,” he said and headed upstairs, returning with two handguns.
“Who?” Cassidy asked.
Before Dad could answer, the front door flew open, and Ace walked in, his face relaxing when he caught sight of Cassidy. “Which part of don’t leave the fuckin’ house did you not get, Cass?” he snapped.
“I knew Hawk was here, and I thought he could help.” She let Ace pull her into
his arms, and she burst into tears. “Hawk knows who has our little girl.”
“I know, baby,” he whispered. “We’re gonna get her back.”
“Where’s Maverick?” I asked, scared to know the answer but needing to anyway.
“We’re gonna get him back too,” Dad said.
“They have him?” I squeaked, laying my hands on my belly.
“I need you to stay with me, Lil.” Dad lifted my chin gently. “You and Cass are goin’ over to Hatch’s place, and you’re gonna hunker down there until this is sorted.”
“Why do they have him?” I asked.
“Because they were trying to get you.”
I gasped. “How?”
“The bitch texted you a proof of life picture of Tillie. She was trying to draw you out, but Maverick saw it and went in without letting any of us know. It was a trap.”
“Ohmigod,” I rasped. “What—”
“That’s all you’re getting,” Dad said and turned to Ace. “Ready?”
Ace nodded, and we headed over to Hatch’s house.
“What about Mom?” I asked.
“She’s good, baby girl,” Dad assured me. “Train’s bringing her here after work.”
I grabbed his arm. “Is Maverick okay?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you know?” I demanded.
“I just know.”
I let out a frustrated growl. “How do you know?”
Dad cupped my chin. “Made Mav a promise, Lil.”
I bit back tears. “How bad is it?”
“He’s good, baby girl.”
“That’s not a good enough answer!” I snapped. “How hurt is he? Have they done anything to Tillie?”
Dad took a deep breath and studied me for a few tense seconds. “They are both fine.”
“If you’re lying to—”
“I’ve never lied to you, Lily,” he interrupted. “I’ve lied for you, but I’ve never lied to you.”
Dad could growl, he could yell, and he could all-around scare most people when he raged, but when he quietly reminded me of things I’d rather not remember, that filled me with both guilt and fear.
“Please don’t try to protect me,” I whispered. “Tell me everything.”
“Baby girl, you’ve gotten all you’re gonna get.”
He turned and walked out the door, locking it behind me. I fell into Cassidy’s arms as we both burst into tears.
* * *
Maverick
Maverick grimaced, his side on fire from where Brick had kicked it repeatedly. He was pretty sure he had a couple of broken ribs.
“Mav?” Tillie whispered, her frightened voice breaking his heart.
They were in some kind of basement. He wasn’t sure if it was a house or commercial space, but it was moldy and damp and had only one small window that didn’t appear to open. He was sitting on a soiled mattress pushed up against the wall, and Tillie was next to him.
“I’m okay, Till,” he lied.
She took his hand and studied him. “I’m really sorry.”
He swallowed and took a shallow breath. “For what?”
“This is all my fault.”
Maverick’s blood ran cold. “How is it your fault, Tillie?”
“I just wanted to hang out with Chloe before her bus came.” She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face. “I kind of ditched Rooster.”
“Shit, Tillie.”
“I know, I know,” she rushed to say.
“No, Till, you don’t know,” he snapped. “When they took you, they texted Lily? It was a trap to get her here.”
“They did?”
“Yeah, sis, they did.” He scowled. “You have no idea what these assholes are capable of.”
“I’m really sorry,” she whispered.
“I’m gonna let Dad deal with you when we get out of here, Till, but when we tell you to stay with a recruit, you fuckin’ stay with a recruit. Got it?”
She released his hand, gripping hers in her lap. “Got it,” she rasped.
Maverick shifted, knocking the wind out of himself. He forced back a groan, not wanting to scare his sister anymore than she already was. “I need you to do something for me.”
She sat up on her knees. “Anything.”
“They took my gun, but I’m hoping that’s all they took. Check my boot for my knife. I can’t reach it.” He’d been knocked out for a bit, but he didn’t know how long.
Tillie scooted to his feet. “Which one?”
“Right.”
She pushed his right leg up and slid her hand inside his boot, pulling out his blade and holding it up with a grin. Maverick grabbed it and relaxed slightly. “Say nothing.”
Tillie bobbed her head and sat next to him again.
The creak of a rusty door echoed in the empty space, and Jenny walked in with a tray. “Well, look who’s awake,” she said and set the tray on the ground.
Maverick scowled. Lily’s egg donor was dressed like a hooker, and the way she sauntered and batted her eyelashes, it was obvious she was trying to get his attention.
“What do you want, Jenny?” he demanded. Every breath elicited agonizing pain.
“I just want to spend time with my daughter.” She crossed her arms, pushing her fake tits up higher.
Maverick forced back the puke threatening to come up. “You’re never gonna get near her, Jenny.”
“She’ll find a way,” she said.
Maverick chuckled, regretting it immediately. He shifted again, trying to take pressure off his ribs. “Listen, bitch. Lily will not go against Hawk, and if you think she will, you’re fuckin’ delusional.”
“Then she’ll need more incentive.” Jenny studied Tillie, who scooted closer to Maverick.
“Come closer, Jenny. I dare you.”
“Oh, I’m not gonna do anything... but he”—she nodded behind her, and Brick came into view—“is gonna do it for me.”
Tillie whimpered and slid closer to Maverick. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her tight to the protection of his body.
Brick stepped forward and sneered. “Don’t get comfortable, little bitch. Your time’s comin’.”
Tillie dropped her face against Maverick’s arm and squeezed her eyes shut, her body shaking. Maverick scowled up at Brick. “You even think of touching my sister, and I will fucking kill you.”
“Big words from the little shit who couldn’t take a beat down.”
Maverick scoffed. “Next time, try me one-on-one, or even two-on-one, asshole. Only a pussy needs four guys to hold one back so you can deliver a beat down.”
Brick inched closer again. Maverick just needed him close enough to get one good jab in, but he had to be careful not to hurt his sister.
“How’s your side?” Brick taunted.
“Why don’t you come have a look?” Maverick challenged.
Brick cackled and walked away, followed by Jenny. The door closed again, and Tillie stared up at him. “Is he going to hurt me?”
“Over my dead body.” Maverick nodded to the tray. “You need to eat, Till. And grab that water, would ya?”
She stood and walked toward the tray. Gasping, she rushed behind the stairs.
“Till, what the hell are you doing?” Maverick hissed.
She returned, her backpack hanging from her hand. “They left it down here.”
“So?”
“So I have another phone.” She flopped down and rifled through the bag, pulling out the old Nokia phone. “Dad insisted I have it just in case.”
“Way to fuckin’ bury the lead, little sister,” he admonished. “Why the hell didn’t you use it before?”
“They were hurting you,” she whispered. “I forgot.”
He regretted his harshness immediately. “Okay, Till, it’s okay.”
She powered it up and handed it to Maverick. “Do you remember anyone’s number?”
He nodded and dialed their dad.
“Tillie?” Ace answered imme
diately.
“It’s Mav,” Maverick whispered. “We’re together, and she’s okay.”
“What about you?”
“Couple of broken ribs... was knocked out for a few, probably have a concussion.”
“Okay, buddy. Ryder thinks he knows where you are, but we’ll track this phone. We’re comin’. Tell me what you see.”
Maverick gave him a detailed report of everything in the room down to the brand of mattress on the floor.
“Got it,” Ace said.
“How’s Lily?” Maverick asked.
“She’s freaked... and a little pissed at Hawk right now.”
“Who’s she with?”
“Your mom.”
“I’m gonna call her,” Maverick said.
“Don’t get caught. Keep the phone with you, but on silent.”
“I will.”
“Your sister good?”
“Yeah, Dad, Tillie’s safe. She’ll stay that way.”
His dad sighed. “Thanks, bud.”
“Gonna call my girl now.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon.”
Maverick hung up and dialed his mother’s phone number.
“Tillie?” Cassidy answered in a whisper.
“Maverick.”
“Oh, honey, are you guys okay?”
“Yeah, Mom, we’re good. Is Lily with you?” Maverick asked.
“I want to talk to Tillie.”
Maverick sighed and handed the phone to his sister, his finger against his lip to remind her to stay quiet.
“Hi, Mom. I’m okay. Maverick’s really hurt—”
“Tillie,” he admonished.
“Well, you are,” she argued.
“I want to talk to Lily,” Maverick demanded.
“Can you please put Lily on, Mom?” Tillie nodded. “I will. I love you, Mama.” She handed the phone to Maverick.
He put it to his ear in time to hear Lily say, “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t have time to go into that, baby. I just needed to hear your voice.”
“God, Möosh, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
He heard her teary voice. “Do you know where you are? I’ll come and get you.”
“No, baby. Dad’s workin’ on it. Ryder thinks he knows. They’re comin’. I need you to stay calm, yeah?”
The Promise (Dogs of Fire: Wolfpack Book 1) Page 16