Page 134 of You Saw the Best In Me

“You couldn’t let me surprise one person?” I ask, slapping his arm.

“I needed her help,” he shrugs.

I hold my hand out, and Harper marvels at the shiny diamond.

She hugs me tightly and is elated that I’ll someday be her true sister.

“I’m making dinner!” she shouts, immediately hustling to the kitchen.

That girl is a natural in the kitchen, and she’s been musing about attending school to be a chef. I’m all for it, backing the dream entirely.

We end the night, joined by Reilly, around the bonfire pit Mav built.

We’re toasting s’mores and passing a wine bottle around, and I pretend not to see Harper sneak a little sip.

She winks at me, and I shake my head. I love her more than I ever thought was possible.

When the sun sets and the music stops, we call it a night, but I’ll always remember us this exact way.

MAVERICK

ONE YEAR AFTER ENGAGEMENT

When you’re sitting in the visitor’s room of a cold prison, you evaluate your life choices and thank your lucky stars you didn’t end up in a place like this. At least, that’s what I think about while I wait for a meeting.

I’m treating this as a business meeting, but frankly, I mean fucking business.

I’m not playing games or entertaining the low-life criminal I’m seeing. I’m here to deliver a message I promised would come in a hospital room, two years ago.

Dressed in an orange jumpsuit and escorted by a guard, I catch sight of the asshole I’m visiting.

Asher.

The man who stalked and kidnapped my fiancee. The man who she still has nightmares about. The man who nearly stole the most important thing in the world to me — Karina Grace.

He’s handcuffed, and the guard seats him across from me, only separated by plexiglass. I lift the phone to my right, and he does the same.

“Maverick Carter. What do I owe the pleasure?” he smirks, and he’s lucky I can’t wrap my hands around his throat.

“You remember what I said in the hospital?” I ask, getting right to the point.

He turns his head to the side, giving me a look I can’t decipher.

My patience is running thin.

“Answer me, asshole,” I spit into the phone.

“Yes. I remember,” he reluctantly says.

“Good. Those instructions will be coming later today. Take the book given to you,” I say, watching as he realizes what I mean.

“If I don’t?” he tests me, and I try not to show the anger coursing through me.

“I’ll get someone else to do it, and it’ll be less than merciful,” I say through gritted teeth.

“How’s Karrie?” he asks, and I nearly lose it.

“Do what you’re told, you piece of shit,” I finish, slamming the phone down.