‘Yeah … Mav …’
‘What?’ he asked, sensing her tone.
‘We shut the gates today. Security called a few hours ago to say that news vans were pulling up outside.’
‘We knew this would happen.’ But he hated it. Hated them, for what they were doing to Nina, who had already suffered so much, and for threatening his family’s livelihood, which they’d all worked so hard for. And for what? So that the general population could be apprised of the intimate details of one stranger’s life?
It sickened him.
‘Yeah,’ Sierra agreed.
‘Do me a favour: keep Poppy close.’
‘I’m offended that you’d even ask.’
‘Sorry.’
‘You’re forgiven, but only because you have a lot on your mind.’
‘Is she awake?’ he asked.
‘Yeah. One sec.’ Sierra shouted through the house, ‘Poppy! Your dad’s on the phone!’
Maverick heard Poppy’s excited squeal and her little footsteps running. When she took the phone, she was breathless. ‘Hi, Daddy!’
‘Hi, baby!’ he greeted her in the same tone and smiled despite the day they’d had.
‘Where are you?’ she asked.
‘I’m in Los Angeles with Nina, remember? But I’m coming home tomorrow.’
‘Okay!’
‘Are you having fun with Sisi?’
‘Yeah! We made steak. And then we watchedTrollsin the fort Uncle Benji built.’
Mav’s eyebrows shot up at that. ‘Oh? Uncle Benji’s there?’
‘Yeah. He’s sleeping in the spare room because you’re not here. But he says the bad man won’t come, so don’t worry, Daddy.’
Mav’s heart ached. His voice was tight when he said, ‘I won’t worry,’ even though he would. ‘Uncle Benji and Sisi will look after you. But make sure you listen to them, okay?’
‘I’m good, Daddy,’ she reminded him.
‘The best,’ he affirmed.
‘I’m going to go finishTrollsnow.’
‘Okay.’
‘Oh, wait,’ she said. ‘Can I speak to Nina first?’
Mav smiled. ‘She’s sleeping, baby. But we’ll see you tomorrow, okay?’
‘’Kay!’
Poppy hung up before he could speak to Sierra again, but Mav didn’t call back. He shot Benji a thank-you text and then put his phone down and closed his eyes, exhausted.
