Like his teeth.
Perfectly aligned. A smile that could capture the heart of millions.
Do you dream in color?
His laugh. Deep and throaty.
And completely in control.
“Maverick, don’t.” I whispered the request two seconds before the door was thrown open again. This time, the guards weren’t taking no for an answer, one guard smacking his hand against his weapon, the other physically ripping Maverick away from Samuel.
“You both need to leave,” the guard barked, his eyes dancing back and forth between us.
Maverick wasn’t ready to let Samuel alone, struggling with the guards, even managing to break free.
They tackled him against the wall.
“Maverick.” I walked closer, placing my hand on his arm.
He finally took a deep breath, slowly shifting his gaze toward me. Rage and blistering guilt had kept him locked in his own prison all these years, preventing him from enjoying his many successes. With every storyline, every captured bad guy throughout the pages, he was hoping to relive the experience and alter the circumstances.
As the seconds ticked by, each one a methodical dance of visions and memories, our connection only deepened.
“He’s not worth it.” It was my turn to direct him with my eyes even as I squeezed my fingers.
“I’d listen to her if I were you.” The guard had his weapon in his hand. Eager to point it at Maverick.
After taking a deep breath, Maverick allowed a growl and held up his hands. While he backed away, one guard pushed his hand against Maverick’s chest, forcing him against the wall.
Samuel’s response as his chair was righted made my blood run cold. He laughed. Not the same maniacal laugh that I’d heard several times while a prisoner, but one issued by a child after witnessing something appealing to his wicked tastes.
“Get him out of here,” the guard snipped to the others waiting in the hallway. Meanwhile, he kept his glare on the powerful FBI man.
Samuel was still studying the camera in the ceiling. His mouth was moving. He was calling to his brother. I could feel it.
“Death is not the greatest loss in life,” I stated, keeping as much conviction in my voice was possible.
Samuel lolled his head to the side, able to silence the voices in his head for a few seconds. The smile he offered wasn’t one of calculation.
It was one of genuine happiness.
“No,” he said with clear reverence. “It’s just the beginning of pure light and love. True euphoria. I will live forever.”
As he was dragged out of the room, another cold shiver tickled my spine.
The guard said nothing else, merely glaring at Maverick, the sneer on his face the exact one I’d seen on the first guard who hadn’t been too thrilled to allow us into the prison. He backed away, his smirk providing even more evidence of the twisted truth we’d just discovered.
As soon as the men had disappeared out of sight, Maverick took me into his arms.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to fight every battle.”
“Like hell, lady. That’s exactly what I intend on doing.” He lifted his head toward the door, taking deep breaths.
We’d already discovered the odd connection we shared could prevent words from being necessary within every conversation. However, at this point, something needed to be said.
“He’s not the killer.”
