“Careful,” he warns his friend.
Spike gives him a look. “Always.”
Livy reaches for him, but before Spike lifts her, she looks back at Maverick.
“Daddy.”
I watch in awe as Maverick closes his eyes.
Just for a second.
Like he has to hold still so the word can settle somewhere deep enough that no one can ever take it from him.
When he opens them again, they shine.
“Yes,piccola?”
“Mama won’t be able to walk,” she says. “Her fingers have no more color, and her nose is pale. That means her toes are worse. Her toes are always worse. Which means her feet won’t work.”
She’s not wrong.
I can’t feel my toes at all.
Which means if I try to stand, I’ll fall just like before.
Maverick’s eyes move over me carefully.
“Thank you for telling me,” he says softly. “I’ll take care of your mama.”
Livy nods, satisfied with that answer, then lets Spike lift her carefully into his arms.
She tucks her injured arm against her chest and rests her cheek against his shoulder.
“Rory’s up there. You won’t let him come near us, will you?” she whispers. “He’s not my friend anymore.”
Spike’s expression goes dark.
“You won’t even see him, sweetheart.”
The second we’re alone, the mask falls.
Not his.
Mine.
The strength I held together for Livy shatters so quickly I can’t stop it.
Tears spill down my face.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
Maverick goes still.
Then he’s on his knees in front of me again.
“Bella.”
“It’s my fault.” The words rush out before I can swallow them. “A friend called and asked for help. I left the estate. I pushedStefano when he said it wasn’t a good idea. I didn’t know Livy hid in the car, but she did, and I should have known. I should have checked. I should have—”
