In retrospect, Ava was almost glad Todd had tipped off the mafia. Selfishly, of course. Because Todd would have given Wren her vacation destination in a heartbeat. And how quickly would Wren have hunted her down in Costa Rica and tried forcing her back home?
But now that would never happen. For one, Todd was nowhere to be found; he was probably out there with his new wad of cash living life like the twins he’d envied.
But beyond that, Detective Lingley knew all about Wren Brandler. He and his team would be monitoring Wren’s activity for years to come. If he somehow discovered Ava’s location and started heading her way, they’d know about it. But the chances of that were miniscule.
Ava had been set up by the best of the best. Professionals that hid people for a living. With her new name, new past, and the finest relocation package one could get, Ava finally had a fresh start. Free from the life of a battered girl who believed she must somehow deserve it, if for nothing more than being foolish enough to stay.
She no longer believed that. By breaking free from her abusive father and the man she’d picked to replace him, Ava discovered a new side of herself.
Never mind the fact that her escape had been handed to her on a silver platter by two handsome and very rich men. It had taken every sliver of strength to accept it. And for that, she was a new woman.
A burst of warm gratitude bloomed in her chest, filling her with a very welcome sense of hope. She wanted to thank Maverick for speaking up that day. For offering her the ticket to a new life. But that would only lead to suspicion. If she’d been ripped from a perfectly healthy life, she’d be cursing the day she accepted that ticket.
So she kept her thoughts to herself—an old practice—and set her eyes on the glowing structure ahead. Windows, bright against the darkness, stood out like beacons. Haven Hills, what a dreamy name for a city. Moonlight poured over the peaks of those hills, just enough to set them apart from the starlit sky.
“There it is,” Maverick said reverently. “Huh. This is where we’re going to spend the rest of our lives.”
“Look!” Memphis blurted from the back seat. “That’s them. Andie, Richard, and Emmitt.”
Ava spotted them just as he’d said it. Figures illuminated by the headlights and a nearby streetlamp too. But it seemed there was an extra.
“It sure is,” Maverick said in a whisper. He squinted his eyes as he slowed the truck. “Who’s that dude holding Andie’s hand?”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Memphis crowed. “She’s dating a freakingcowboy?”
Maverick shot him a look. “Who sounds like Richard now?”
“Shut up. Did Andie actually fall in love?” Memphis continued. “That’s impossible.”
The truck came to a stop and Maverick shoved in the parking brake. “Maybe this place changes people,” he said with a nod.
“Yeah,” Memphis said. “Maybe.”
The headlights stayed bright as the small group approached the truck. Andie was clearly Andie. She was the only girl there. And, of course, as her brothers pointed out, she was holding hands with the guy in the cowboy hat. She’d heard enough about Richard and Emmitt that Ava guessed she might be able to tell the two apart. Both men were tall, well built, and from what she could tell, very handsome like the twins.
But as she looked between one and the other, then back again, it was clear just who the oldest and supposedly always-ornery brother was. The one with the piercing gaze set right on her, a tight and angry scowl on his face.
Her nerves kicked in once again. Could he see inside the truck? It felt like he could. But why would he be glaring ather?He didn’t even know who she was.
Maverick gripped the latch at the driver’s side door. “Let’s do this.” Excitement coated the words.
A beat of panic thrummed through Ava. She wasn’t ready yet. She reached out and grabbed Maverick’s arm. “Wait. Does he know I’m coming too?”
Maverick glanced down at the hand on his arm, seeming distracted by her touch. It made sense. She wasn’t touchy feely and he’d learned that quite well in their time together.
His brow furrowed as he looked back up at her.“Who?”
“Richard,” she answered. “Well,anyof them, actually. Did they know I was coming too?”
Maverick shot a look at Memphis. “I have no idea.”
Memphis barked out a laugh. “Guess there’s only one way to find out.”
