Page 125 of King of Pride

“What are you talking about?”

Rose caught his hand and pulled him toward the couch. He followed without resistance, though his eyes never left her face.

The moment he sat down, she picked up her phone and held it out to him.

“Look.”

Maverick glanced at the screen.

The moment the video began playing, something in him changed. His shoulders stiffened. The warmth disappeared from his face, leaving behind an expression so blank it was almost frightening.

He didn't need to watch for long.

He knew exactly what it was.

Rose watched the color slowly drain from his face as his eyes remained fixed on the screen. Then, without a word, he reached over and stopped the video.

“Forget about it.”

His voice was quiet.

He lowered his gaze, and Rose saw something in his expression that she had never seen before.

Shame.

Her heart clenched.

She immediately moved closer.

“What?”

“Forget you saw that.” His jaw tightened. “It doesn't matter.”

Rose stared at him in disbelief.

“It doesn't matter?”

Maverick said nothing.

She reached up and gently took his face between her hands, turning him toward her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. “Why are you ashamed of what happened to you?”

His eyes flickered away.

Rose held his face firmly, refusing to let him hide from her.

“You shouldn't be ashamed. Not even for a second.”

Her fingers trembled against his cheeks.

“They did that to you. You were a child.” Her voice broke. “You didn't do anything wrong.”

Maverick looked away again, but Rose gently turned his face back toward her.

“I’m furious at them,” she whispered. “I’m not ashamed of you.”

Something in his expression shifted.