Page 86 of King of Pride

She had barely taken a few steps when Maverick caught her arm.

“What the hell is going on?”

Rose froze at his interruption.

For a few seconds, she hesitated, wondering whether she should tell him.

Zoe was his sister. If she were in trouble, he had every right to know. But Zoe hadn't called Maverick. She had called Rose instead.

That could only mean one thing.

Zoe didn't want Maverick to know.

“Nothing. I just have something urgent to take care of before I go to work.” Rose tried to pull her arm free. “I'll see you tonight.”

She barely managed to turn away before Maverick caught her again, this time pulling her back against his chest.

His hand came up to her face, gently but firmly tilting her chin until she was forced to look at him.

His gaze locked onto hers.

“What the hell is going on, Rose?” he asked, his voice low and controlled. “I can see it on your face. You're not leaving until you tell me.”

Rose's heartbeat quickened.

There was something about the way Maverick looked at her that made it difficult to hide anything from him. He wasn't a frightening man, but there had always been an intensity about him that made her nervous, especially when she knew he was determined to get an answer.

She swallowed hard.

She knew he wouldn't let her walk away until he found out the truth.

And if he discovered what Zoe had done, there was no telling how he would react.

That was probably exactly why Zoe hadn't called him first.

She had called Rose instead.

“I’m just a little busy with work. I’ll see you this evening,” Rose said, trying to sound casual.

She immediately tried to pull away again, but Maverick didn't let her go. His grip tightened around her arm, his other hand still holding her face as he looked down at her with an increasingly serious expression.

“Unless you tell me what the fuck is going on, you’re not leaving this house, Mrs. Bishop. If we have to sit here and do this all day, then I’ll stay home all day.”

Rose took a deep breath.

There was no way she could sit there arguing with him for hours when Zoe was waiting at the police station. And judging by the look in Maverick’s eyes, he had no intention of giving up anytime soon.

With a frustrated sigh, Rose finally looked up at him.

“It was the police station,” she admitted reluctantly. “They said several of Ivan’s cars were set on fire a few days ago, and Zoe has been arrested in connection with it.”

She expected Maverick’s expression to immediately fill with anger.

After all, Zoe was his only sister, and she had apparently done something this reckless because of Rose. Surely he would be furious.

His brows drew together, and a frown briefly crossed his face.

But instead of exploding, he simply said, “Let’s go.”