“Sorry, but my fiancée has been missing for a few weeks, and everyone’s been worried sick.”
I swear Maverick flinches when Brock calls me that.Fiancée?Why the hell would he call me that?As much as the question gives me pause, it doesn’t matter.There are more important ones that I need to ask.
“How did you find me?”I hate the slight crack of my voice.Is he going to call the police?Is he going to force me to go with him?Do I need to run farther away to be free of them?How far could I possibly go?
“I use this gym occasionally.It’s near my office.”Brock glances at Maverick quickly and then back at me.It’s quiet for a beat before Brock starts again.“You’ve had everyone worried.This little game is done.”
“It’s—it’s not a game.”I’m trying not to break down, but panic is climbing up my throat.
“Then you’ll come home.”
“You live together?”Maverick asks me, and I shake my head.
“Not really.”Brock stayed at the house sometimes.I’m pretty sure he has a place of his own somewhere.
“Come on, let’s go.Your mother is worried.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Maverick tells him in a low growl.
I notice a few people step back, including Brock.He’s stopped walking toward us now and is still a good ten feet away from me.
“Listen, Mav, she’s—” Brock says.
“Maverick,” he corrects him, and Brock tries again.
“Maverick, you don’t know her.It’s best that she comes with me.”He makes it sound like there’s something wrong with me.Hell, maybe there is.
“It’s best you stop saying she’s going anywhere with you,” Maverick warns him.I really can’t tell if the two of them are friends or not.
“I didn’t want to have to say this, but she?—”
“Don’t finish that fucking sentence.”Maverick cuts him off, not letting him spew a lie about me for all to hear.I’ve never been so grateful.
“Take him to the back office,” Maverick tells one of the other employees nearby.
“I’m not letting her out of my sight,” Brock announces.
“You don’t have that option,” Maverick informs him as he turns his full attention to Brock.“You either go to the office or you get the fuck out of my gym and never bring your ass back here.”
“Fine,” Brock agrees and glares at me.
Maverick steps in his line of sight before Brock is led away by the employee.
“We need to talk,” Maverick says, taking my hand and leading me into a nearby room.It’s empty except for a few treadmills.Once he closes the door and we’re alone, he speaks softly.“Hey, you okay?”
Instead of answering, I stare down at the floor, embarrassed.It’s my first day on the job, and I’m causing problems.Maverick reaches out and touches me under my chin, so I lift my head to look at him.When our eyes connect, his whole demeanor shifts.I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like he’s softened and isn’t so big and intimidating.I know he’s still the same size, but somehow he feels less imposing.
“I’m not here to push you into telling me things you’re not ready to.All you have to do is tell me you don’t want him near you, and it’s done.”
“You’d pick me?”I ask, surprised by his willingness to follow my decision.
“Every time,” he answers without hesitation.
An unexpected rush of emotions presses down on my chest.I can’t remember a time when someone picked me over another person.Here Maverick is, practically a stranger, standing up for me and wanting me to feel safe.
“He’s a big part of why I ran,” I admit.“I’m scared of him.”
Maverick’s jaw visibly tightens before he nods in understanding.“I won’t let anyone hurt you.You’re safe here with me.”
