“Yeah?”His voice was low, lazy, content in a way I haven’t heard in years.
“I’m scared,” I admit, my throat tight.
He kisses the top of my head, his arms tightening around me.“So am I.”
That surprises me.I lift my head, meeting his eyes.“You?”
“Terrified,” he says honestly.“Because I know how much I’ve got to lose if I screw this up.You.Ivy.Everything.But I’m not gonna screw it up, Zora.Not this time.”
And for the first time, I believe him.
I nod, laying my head back down.“Okay.”
His hand finds mine beneath the sheets, our fingers lace together, holding tight.And I let myself drift off to sleep, safe in his arms.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Now Or Never
Maverick
I’ve faced down men twice my size.I’ve taken punches that cracked bone and left blood in my mouth.I’ve walked into rooms knowing I might not walk out again.None of that compares to this.
I stand in Zora’s living room with my hands shoved into my pockets, my heart trying to beat its way out of my chest, while Ivy sits cross-legged on the floor in front of me, her curls a wild halo around her face.She’s holding the teddy bear I brought her weeks ago, the one she named Bear-Bear, and she’s studying me like I’m a puzzle she’s already halfway solved.
Zora stands to the side, arms wrapped around herself, eyes shiny and terrified and hopeful all at once.This is it.There’s no script for this.No way to make it perfect.All I have is the truth.
I drop to one knee so I’m at Ivy’s level.My throat is tight, but I force the words out anyway.“Hey, Trouble.”
She looks up at me, those storm-gray eyes locking on mine.My eyes.The realization still hits me like a punch every time.
“Mommy says you wanted to talk to me,” she says solemnly.
I nod.“Yeah.I did.Is that okay?”
She considers that for all of half a second, then shrugs.“Okay.”
