Maverick’s jaw flexes…a tight, angry grind of bone and teeth.
“She was killed,” he says. “Years ago. Right alongside her mother… my wife.”
The world goes quiet.
Even the desert wind seems to stop for him.
“Fuck, brother,” Spike murmurs. “I’m so damn sorry. Is the person who did it still out there?”
And that’s when Maverick smiles. But it’s not his usual sideways, cocky grin.
It’s something darker. Colder. Like a man remembering a promise he already kept.
“No,” he says calmly. “He isn’t still out there.”
He steps past us, sunlight hitting his face just as the smirk settles.
“I bathed in that fucker’s blood for weeks before I let him die.”
Yeah.
We all believe him.
And not one of us says a damn word the rest of the walk to our bikes.
Chapter Nine
Eli
I sleep in until almost noon.
Which is saying something, considering I’m usually awake before the roosters so I can catch my ride to work.
I don’t remember much from when we got here last night. Everything between the hospital and falling into Skip’s bed is just… fog. So I take my time wandering around, trying not to snoop but absolutely snooping. It’s strange being in his house.
Skip warned me he wouldn’t be here when I woke, but I still feel like an intruder wearing someone else’s life for a moment.
A knock snaps me out of my thoughts, and I hurry to the door, swinging it open.
Knuckles glares like I’ve just committed a cardinal sin.
“Skip would have a fit if he knew you didn’t check before opening the door. Never answer a door without looking first, Eli.”
“But we’re inside the compound,” I remind him. “Isn’t it…you know… safe here?”
Knuckles drags a hand down his face.
“You’re safe here,” he says firmly. “But there’s shit going down you don’t know about. And I’m not saying itwillhappen, but there’s always a chance an enemy gets past defenses.”
I blink. “You guys have enemies?”
“Everyone does,” he mutters. “Now, you gonna invite me in or not?”
“Oh, sorry.” I step aside quickly. “Um. Skip isn’t here.”
“Not here for him.” He jerks his chin. “Kitchen. Let’s go.”
I close the door and follow him, my heartbeat doing a stupid stutter-step the entire way.
