Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders, and she was dressed in a grey sleeveless casual dress with a square neckline—nothing formal, just effortless and unpolished.
She stopped when she saw them too close, tension instantly registering in her eyes.
Maverick immediately released Elias’s collar and stepped back, turning smoothly as if nothing had happened. The anger vanished from his face, replaced by calm composure and a polite smile.
Elias also took a step back, straightening his shirt, his expression tightening as he looked away for a fraction of a second.
Amara glanced between them, unimpressed.
Neither of them said anything.
Then she looked at Maverick and smiled lightly.
“Mr. Bishop, you’re early.”
Maverick lifted the bouquet a little, offering it to her with an effortless smile. The flowers were fresh and carefully arranged—soft cream and blush petals wrapped neatly in elegant paper, still carrying the faint fragrance of dew. “I didn’t want to keep you waiting,” he said casually. “The deal is important to me too, so I’ll help however I can as your partner.”
Amara returned the smile politely.
“I’ve already arranged a reservation for us at the restaurant,” she said. “You didn’t have to come pick me up personally.”
Maverick gave a small, relaxed smile, completely unfazed by the tension.
“It’s not a big deal,” he said lightly. “I’m glad to be here.”
Elias’s fingers curled tightly at his sides.
His gaze sharpened as he stared at both of them—Maverick and Amara—like he was forcing himself not to react. His jaw flexed once, controlled but strained.
Maverick didn’t even glance at him.
Amara, on the other hand, acted as if he wasn’t there at all.
That silence was what finally broke Elias’s restraint.
He stepped forward abruptly, sliding himself between them.
“Enough.”
With a quick motion, he reached out and snatched the bouquet from Amara’s hands.
“Maverick,” he said coldly, tossing the flowers back toward him.
Maverick caught them instinctively, his expression shifting only slightly.
At the same time, Elias grabbed Amara gently but firmly by the shoulder and pulled her a step behind him, placing himself between her and Maverick.
“She doesn’t need your help with anything,” Elias said, voice low and firm. “I’ll handle whatever deal she needs. You can leave.”
Amara’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Stop it,” she snapped, pushing at his chest. “This has nothing to do with you. It’s my business.”
But Elias didn’t move.
He stood his ground, blocking her completely.
“Elias, stop it,” she repeated, this time more forceful, shoving him again.
