Page 99 of King of Pride

Without saying a word, he slowed down.

Rose noticed immediately and smiled to herself as she fell into step beside him. A moment later, Maverick reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers as they continued toward the car waiting at the curb.

But as they drew closer, Rose's smile faded.

Their driver was standing beside the car.

And he wasn't alone.

Another man stood beside him, waiting.

Rose's brows knitted in confusion, but before she could ask who he was, she felt Maverick's grip tighten around her hand.

She looked up at him.

His expression had changed.

The relaxed look he had worn moments earlier was gone, replaced by a hard, displeased stare directed straight at the man waiting by the car. There was a clear edge of irritation in his eyes, and the tension in his jaw made it obvious that he wasn't pleased to see him.

Yet Maverick didn't slow down.

As they approached the car, Maverick glanced briefly toward the driver.

“Let's go,” he said.

His hand immediately shifted to Rose's waist, drawing her closer as he guided her toward the passenger door. He didn't acknowledge the other man, didn't even spare him a glance, as though he wasn't standing there at all.

The deliberate dismissal only seemed to make the man's expression darker.

Just as Maverick was about to help Rose into the car, the man stepped directly into their path.

Rose stopped short.

The man was considerably older than Maverick, with a face that carried a similar sharpness to Maverick's features, though age had hardened it in a less appealing way. His expression was twisted with irritation as he looked down at Rose, then slowly shifted his attention back to Maverick.

“How can you get married secretly without even bringing your new bride to meet your family?” he demanded, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Maverick's expression turned colder.

The man continued before he could respond.

“We’re family, Maverick. Your father is going to be deeply disappointed when he finds out that you don’t respect your own family enough to even introduce your wife to us.”

He smiled sweetly, though there was a clear edge to her words.

“Don’t worry. This time, we won’t make you eat with the servants. We’ll even let you sit at the dining table with the rest of us. I’m your cousin, remember? I’ll convince Dad and Grandpa myself.”

Maverick’s expression didn’t change. If anything, it grew colder.

“I have no desire to eat with dogs,” he said dismissively.

Before Augustus could respond, Maverick gestured toward the driver with two fingers. Then, without another word, he shoved Augustus aside and opened the car door for Rose.

“Get in.”

His voice was cold, but the way he guided Rose into the car was careful, almost gentle, as if nothing had happened.

Rose climbed inside, still trying to process the strange encounter.