Page 128 of King of Pride

Maverick gently pulled back and cradled her face between his hands. He leaned down and kissed her.

Rose melted into the kiss, allowing him to draw her closer as it deepened. But only a few seconds later, the sudden buzzing of his phone on the table interrupted them.

Maverick's jaw tightened.

He reluctantly broke the kiss and reached for the phone, his irritation obvious as he glanced at the screen.

“Leo.”

He was about to silence the call when Rose caught his arm.

“What if it's important?” she asked.

Maverick looked at her, clearly displeased by the interruption, but after a moment, he finally sighed and answered.

“This better be important.”

On the other end, Leo's voice immediately became apologetic.

“Mr. Bishop, I'm sorry to disturb you. It's about the video that was released online.”

Maverick's expression changed.

He slipped an arm around Rose's waist, drawing her closer as his gaze sharpened.

“What about it?”

“I've already had the video taken down from the major platforms,” Leo explained. “Augustus released it on purpose to humiliate you, but it completely backfired. Someone reported the video to the police, and they are investigating Augustus and Albert.”

Maverick's expression remained cold.

“The police went to the residence while Albert was attempting to leave with his son. They've arrested both of them for child abuse. They're being taken into custody now.”

Leo paused briefly before adding, “So you don't need to worry about it anymore, Mr. Bishop. I've taken care of everything on this end.”

The tension in Maverick's forehead eased slightly.

“Good,” he said before ending the call.

He put the phone down.

Rose immediately looked at him, her eyes lighting up.

“They’re in jail?”

Maverick nodded.

A satisfied smile spread across her face. “Good. I hope they rot in there for a very, very long time. May the rats bite their toes, chew on their ears, and keep them awake all night. I want them to spend the rest of their lives counting the cracks in their cell walls and wishing for death.”

Maverick chuckled at her response before leaning closer and pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

“I like it when you get dark,” he murmured.

***

It was early morning when the sharp ringing of Rose’s phone broke through her sleep.

She stirred beneath the sheets, barely conscious of the sound at first, until the phone continued ringing from the nightstand beside the bed. Still groggy, she shifted away from Maverick, only to shiver when the cool air touched her bare skin.