by L. Wilder
“You got a point to all this, Lucky?”
“I do,” she said sarcastically as she walked over to the pile of dirty clothes. She took a handful and tossed them into the laundry basket. “The dirty clothes go in the laundry basket.”
“Mm-hmm,” he smirked.
“Dirty clothes. Laundry Basket. You think you can handle that?”
“You’re cute when you get all worked up, you know that?” he said as he took a step towards her. He knew she was trying to be serious, but he just couldn’t stop himself. Seeing her with her hand propped on her hip and that spark in her eye made it impossible for him to resist.
Seeing the look in his eyes, she shook her head and said, “Oh, no you don’t. I know that look.” She took a step back and pointed her finger at him. “Getting me all hot and bothered isn’t gonna make those dirty clothes magically disappear.”
“Maybe I like getting you all hot and bothered,” he teased as he took another step towards her.
“Gavin. Focus.”
“Oh, I’m focused.” He pulled his t-shirt over his head and tossed it into the laundry basket. Sounding overly cocky, he told her, “See? I can handle it. Dirty clothes in the laundry basket.”
Her eyes dropped to his bare chest and she had to fight the urge to pounce on him like a horny teenager. Trying her best to ignore her raging hormones, she turned away from him and said, “Good. That’s all I’m asking.”
“What about the toothpaste situation?”
“What toothpaste situation?”
He reached for the toothpaste and held up the dented tube as he said, “Didn’t your momma teach you to squeeze from the bottom?”
“Seriously?”
“And there’s a cap for a reason,” he mocked, knowing that he was hitting all of her buttons. He dropped the toothpaste on the counter and looked back over to her as he said, “And while we’re at it… we should probably discuss the cat.”
“What about the cat?”
“You know the toilet isn’t exactly the best place for her to get her water. You might try giving her some fresh water from time to time.”
Aggravation crossed her face as she took a step towards him. “I give her fresh water every day! It’s not my fault she’s crazy, and she wouldn’t do it if you’d just put down the seat.”
“Umm-hmmm.” He could care less about the tooth paste or where the cat got her water; he was trying to get under her skin and it was working. He had to think for a second to find anything else he could throw at her. “And what about the Doritos?”
“Oh my heavens. What about the Doritos?”
“You know they’re my favorite, but you keep finishing off the bag before I can get to them.”
“Okay. I’ll leave your Doritos alone from now on,” she huffed.
“I’d appreciate that.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black box, and took a step towards her. “Well, now that we’ve got that settled… what about this?”
Sunny gasped as she looked at the gorgeous, diamond engagement ring. Before she could register what was happening, he dropped down on one knee and said, “Things in my life haven’t always been easy. There were times when I lost my way and thought I would never get to the good. I thought my mistakes were holding me back, but the entire time they were leading me home… They were leading me to you.” He took the ring out of the box and reached for her hand, slipping it onto her finger. “I’ve never been happier. Will you give me the chance to make you as happy as you’ve made me? Sunny, will you marry me?”
Sunny lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck as she shrieked, “Yes! Yes, I will marry you!!’
He held her close to his chest, hugging her tightly as he stood up. Even though he knew in his heart she’d say yes, hearing the words aloud made it feel so surreal. With her, his life made sense. She grounded him and made him look to the future instead of being consumed by the past, and he did the same for her. Together, they were better. It was as simple as that.
“When?”
She looked up at him. “I don’t know. When do you want to do it?”
“The sooner, the better.” He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her tenderly. “I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t make me wait too long.”
“I’ll do my best.” She looked down at the ring on her finger. “I can’t believe we just got engaged in our bathroom. That’s going to be a story. Courtney is going to have a field day with this one.”
“Wanted to take you by surprise.”
“Well, you definitely did that.” She smiled as she wound her arms around his neck. “I love you so much. Thank you, Gavin.”
“For what?”
“For giving me my happy ending.”
The End.
More to come from the Devil Chaser’s Series
in the late summer or early fall.
Author’s Note
I had some readers ask about the recipes that were mentioned in the book. If you haven’t had a chance to try Chess pie or you want to know about the cream cheese do-doobers, I am including links to their recipes. These are some of my favorite Christmas time treats:
Chess Pie:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/9090/chess-pie/
Cream Cheese Squares:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cheesecake-crescent-rolls
Cherry Delight:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/231310/opals-cherry-delight/
Followed by Maverick: Book 1 in the Satan’s Fury Series
Amanda Faulkner – There are no words to express how much your help means to me. You never fail to be there when I need you, and your dedication astounds me. Thank you for all you do. Love you big!
Natalie Weston – You are such a great voice of reason. Thank you for being there to keep me level headed and pointed in the right direction. You are awesome.
Daryl and Sue Banner, The Dynamic Duo – Thank you both for making my books the best they can be. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Love you both! Daryl isn’t just an editor. He’s also an amazing author. If you haven’t checked out his books, you are missing out. They are amazing!!
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylbanner
Lisa Cullinan – Thank you so very much for always being there and going the extra mile. You a such a blessing, and I am so very thankful to have you. I told Santa to be extra good to you this year!!
Neringa Neringiukas – You are the teaser guru. Thank you so much for sharing my book and teasers, and all of your kind words of support. You rock!
Danielle Deraney Palumbo – Thank you! You are such a blessing to me, and your help always means so much. I truly appreciate you!
Kaci Stewart, Tanya Skaggs, Lisa Cullinan, Terra Oenning, Jamie Richards Morgan, Jordan Marie, Beth Alarcon, Rachel Hadley, Demetra Toula Illiopoulos, Stacie Page-Ramay, and Patricia Ann Bevins – Thank you so much for always being there with your kind words and support. You ladies are awesome.
Wilder’s Women – I am always amazed at how much you do to help promote my books with your reviews and all of your posts. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
A Special Thanks to Mom – Thank you for always being there to read, chapter by chapter, giving me your complete support. I love you so very much, and it means the world to me that you that you love my characters as much as I do.
Maverick
Satan’s Fury MC
L Wilder
Maverick
Satan’s Fury MC
Copyright © 2015 L Wilder
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication or any part of this series may be reproduced without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This book is a work of fiction. Some of the places named in the book are actual places found in Paris, TN. The names, characters, brands, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The aut
hor acknowledges the trademarked status and owners of various products and locations referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Warning: This book is intended for readers 18 years or older due to bad language, violence, and explicit sex scenes.
Cover Model – Dave Allen
www.facebook.com/daveallenmusicpage
Cover Design – LJ Anderson
www.facebook.com/lj.anderson.33
Editor – Marci Ponce
Book Teasers and Design – Monica Langley Holloway
www.facebook.com/Kustombooks2reviews
Dedication
To my fellow Indie Authors:
Self-publication is not for the faint of heart. It’s a difficult, but truly rewarding journey. I have been greatly blessed to have encountered so many wonderful authors who have shown, time and time again, that with a little faith and persistence, you can do anything. Thank you all for your invaluable support. You guys rock!
Maverick
My mother used to say that everything happens for a reason. It didn’t matter how insignificant or how heart-wrenchingly tragic, she’d say it was just meant to be. She truly believed that if a person was patient enough… looked hard enough… for long enough, they’d be able to find their silver lining. Her faith never faltered. Facing difficult times with strength and determination, my loving mother would wait… no matter how long it took. It might have taken her months or even years, but my mother would always be able to find that shining light at the end of the long, dark tunnel.
I say bullshit. There is no fucking silver lining. Shit happens. Hard times are just a part of life; like the air we breathe. We have to learn to deal with the hand we are dealt and move the hell on. Yet, every damn time something fucked up happens in my life, I find myself thinking of my mother. If she was still alive, I wonder what she’d have to say about everything that’s happened in my life over the last year. Would she be able to find my silver lining? Because I sure as hell can’t.
***
Chapter 1
Maverick
“Don’t rush into this, Maverick. I know what you’re like. Give it some time, brother,” Cotton told me. I could see the concern in his penetrating eyes, and it meant a lot to me that he was trying to help. He was a good man… a good president. The brothers of Satan’s Fury looked up to him and admired him. We all knew that the club was his life, and he was all about the brotherhood. As our president, he had no problem sacrificing everything for the club—even laying down his own life, time and time again, if it meant protecting his family. I respected him for that, and was honored to be a part of it. “I know what’s really going on here. You can blame this on whatever you want, but the truth is staring you right in the face.”
“He’s my son! What kind of man would I be if I put him in danger? I can’t risk it, Cotton,” I told him as I looked down at my broken arm that was now wrapped up in a sling. I was a fucking mess. Bruises and cuts covered my body from head to toe. They’d done a pretty good job of working me over, and I still couldn’t figure out why they didn’t just kill me when they had the chance. “Think about it. What if he was with me when those motherfuckers jumped me? It’s up to me to protect him, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to him. I already ruined his mother’s life, and I’ll be damned if I ruin his.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. Hailey brought that shit on herself. You can’t keep carrying all of the blame,” Cotton snapped.
“It was my fault! All if it! I wasn’t there when she needed me. I should have stuck with her, made sure she got the help she needed. Now she’s dead, and I have to own that. John Warren is all I have left of her. I can’t let anything happen to him.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to him, Maverick,” he assured me, but we both knew he couldn’t guarantee that. “None of that even matters… it’s all in the past. Right now, you have to face your demons, either fight them or learn to live with them.”
I knew he was right. My mind had been a cluster fuck since the day I brought John Warren home with me. When I looked at him, I could tell that he had my blood running through his veins. He was such a good-looking kid—healthy and strong. I was thankful that his mother’s drug use hadn’t hurt him. Yet, there was a question lingering deep inside of me. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Why did this strange worry keep messing with my head? I loved this kid from the start, but my mind was bombarded with doubts—some of which I couldn’t even name. I had to believe that I was doing this for him. I’d fucked up so much already; I couldn’t be responsible for ruining another life. Me… the club… whatever the reason, John Warren didn’t belong here with me. He deserved more.
“I can’t take that chance. I can’t make the same mistakes again, Cotton.” My throat tightened, making it difficult to even say the words. I truly believed that taking him to Lily was the right thing to do. He deserved a mother, and I knew she loved him as her own. But, the selfish side of me wished things could be different. Still, I knew I had to protect him at all costs. That was the most important thing now.
“Maverick…” Cotton tried again.
“I need you to back me up on this,” I argued. “It’s the right thing for John Warren… and for me.”
His face registered with acceptance as he brought his hand up, and rested it on my shoulder. “I wish you’d give it more time, but if this is what you think you should do, I’ll support you on it. When do you need to leave?”
I stood up and reached for my keys. “Tonight. There’s no need in delaying this thing any longer. It’s a long drive, so it will take me a couple of days to get back.”
“I’ll let the guys know. Just be careful,” Cotton told me as I turned toward the door. “Maverick?”
I looked over toward him as Cotton said, “Some choices can’t be undone. You need to be sure about this one, brother.” My eyes dropped down to the floor. The worn-out boards creaked beneath my feet, and I wondered how they managed to support my weight. I felt so heavy, like the unrelenting weight of the world was pressing down on my shoulders. It hurt to move… to even breathe. His words circled through my thoughts, and I knew he was right. This one decision could haunt me for the rest of my life, but I knew in my gut it was the right thing to do for John Warren… for my son.
I opened the door to my room, and stopped. It was hard to believe how much this room had changed in just one week. It’d been just a room, a place to crash when I needed it, but now I didn’t recognize it. John Warren’s presence filled the air, surrounding me with his warmth. My chest tightened as I thought about him not being here anymore. I tried to block the turmoil from my mind as I grabbed a bag and quickly began filling it with his clothes and toys. When I picked up the tiny giraffe he slept with every night, I couldn’t hold it together any longer. My legs began to buckle under me when I thought about him lying in that crib with his tiny, little fingers wrapped around the giraffe’s neck. It gutted me. I dropped down to my knees as I held the stuffed animal tightly in my hands, bringing it up close to my face so I could inhale JW’s scent. Damn. I’d never felt a hurt like this before.
Why did it have to be like this? Why couldn’t I be the father he needed? What the fuck was wrong with me? My chest tightened when I thought about taking him back to Lily. My heart shattered like broken glass when I thought about not being able to see his smile, to touch him… to hold him. He was a part of me—the best part of me—but I couldn’t stop the doubts from spiraling through my head. The darkness inside of me was growing, engulfing me. John Warren deserved more than I could give… a life not tarnished by the likes of me.
There was a tap on my door, and I had just enough time to get back on my feet before Cassidy walked in. John Warren was propped up on her hip with a
handful of her hair in one hand and a bottle in the other. “I just finished giving little man his dinner and a bath. He’s all ready for bed.”
“Thanks, Cass.” She was one of the bartenders at the club. Even though she sometimes partied with the club girls, I trusted her to watch him. She’d come to love the kid in the short time he’d been here and enjoyed spending time with him. From the moment I brought him into the club, she couldn’t get enough of him, always wanting to hold him and play with him. Cass adored him, and I honestly wouldn’t have known what to do without her.
I rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hands, trying to clear the tears away. When she noticed the expression on my face, she asked, “What’s going on? Are you ok?”
“Would you believe me if I said yes?” I responded as I looked away from her and started to put the last of John Warren’s things in his bag.
“Seriously,” she snapped. “Tell me what’s going on, Maverick? Are you taking him somewhere?”
I took a deep breath and swallowed hard, trying to rein in the emotions that threatened to tear me apart. I had to hold it together. “I’m taking him back to Lily and Goliath. They can give him what he needs… the life he deserves…”
“What? No! You can’t do that, Maverick… He belongs here, with us… with you! You’re his dad. You’re all he needs,” Cassidy cried as the tears began to pool in her eyes.
“Look at him, Cassidy. He’s perfect. So innocent… so pure. All the good in the world is wrapped up in him.” She looked down at him, a grief-stricken expression on her beautiful face. “I’m no good for him. I’ll only fuck it all up if I keep him here. I love him. I love him like nothing else, and I have to protect him… protect him from my world… protect him from me.” I could feel the storm of emotions begin to take hold again, so I took JW from her arms and picked up his bag. “I don’t expect you to understand it, Cassidy, but this is something I have to do. I have to do this for him.”