Page 131 of King of Pride

“But you just promised his mother.”

Rose lifted an eyebrow. “I never said I was going.”

Maverick narrowed his eyes at her, clearly unconvinced.

Rose couldn't help smiling. She slipped her arms around his neck and leaned closer, brushing a soft kiss against his lips.

“Give me my phone.”

He shifted onto one arm before reaching over with his free hand and picking up the phone. He handed it to her without taking his eyes off her.

Rose quickly tapped the screen a few times before turning it toward him.

Maverick glanced at the screen, confusion briefly crossing his face.

Then his eyes narrowed.

“You sent those details to Jessica?”

Rose nodded innocently.

“Of course. Why would I go? He wanted Jessica, didn’t he? She can take care of him now.” She gave him a pointed look. “What am I, some kind of caretaker for dogs? If he needs someone to hold his hand and take care of him, he already has the woman he always wanted by his side.”

Maverick stared at her for a moment.

Then a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Rose barely had time to react before he leaned down and kissed her again.

She laughed against his lips as he took the phone from her hand and set it aside, clearly pleased with her solution. His kisses moved from her lips to her cheek and then along her neck, making her squirm beneath him.

“Maverick,” she protested between laughs.

He only tightened his arms around her, completely delighted by her decision.

Rose continued giggling as he showered her with affectionate kisses, her earlier frustration disappearing completely beneath his playful mood.

***

Terrence stormed into the private hospital room at City Hospital, his expression hard with anger as he marched straight toward the bed.

Ivan lay beneath the white sheets, his body covered in bruises and a bandage wrapped around his forehead. He looked exhausted, but there was hardly any emotion on his face as he stared up at the ceiling.

Terrence stopped beside the bed and glared down at him.

“How can you drive so recklessly?” he demanded. “I’ve been telling you for days to stop driving like a madman. Ever since Rose left you, you’ve been acting completely out of control—breaking things, throwing things, and now you’ve gotten yourself into an accident and nearly killed yourself.”

Ivan didn't respond.

Terrence's anger only grew.

“Do you even understand what could have happened? If the airbags hadn't deployed in time, you could have died.”

“I’m fine,” Ivan muttered.

His voice was low and emotionless, as though none of it mattered.

Terrence's jaw tightened.