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“Mav, how’s it going?” One of the men says, his dark hair slightly longer on top.

“Surprised to see you somewhere other than the bar,” another man adds with a grin. He’s the largest of the group, though his eyes are kind. Honestly, they all look like they’re kind.

Maverick did say he was an Army Ranger. Are these guys soldiers he served with? They certainly look the part.

“As it so happens, Mav comes in once or twice a week for coffee,” a woman calls out.

I glance over my shoulder as a beautiful blonde turns around, her swollen stomach protruding so much that she has to turn to the side to make coffee.

“Baby, let me get that,” Sawyer says as he rushes around the counter. But before he takes over with the coffee, he grips either side of her belly and leans in to kiss her.

Even with as broken as I am, I can appreciate how absolutely adorable they are together.

“So who is this?” the third man, who hadn’t spoken yet, asks Mav. His hair is a dark blonde, his features similar to those of the blonde behind the counter. Siblings?

“Sadie,” Maverick replies. “This is Weston, Ryker, and Zane.” He gestures to each of the three men. “They all served alongside Sawyer. Navy SEALs,” he adds.

That makes complete sense. Once again, the unease begins to melt away.

“It’s great to meet you, Sadie,” Zane offers with a smile.

“You, too.”

“And since no one has any manners, I’m Anastasia. That one’s wife—” She points to Sawyer. “And his sister,” she adds, gesturing toward Zane as she comes around the counter to offer me her hand. The second she gets close to me, though, her smile fades, and worry takes over. “Oh, honey, your face. Are you okay?”

“She was in an accident,” Sawyer says.

“Oh, no! I am so sorry.” Something dark passes over her expression. Almost as though a bad memory surfaced that she’d rather keep buried. “You’re okay, though.”

“I will be,” I reply. Hopefully.

“Good. Let’s get you some coffee. What do you like?”

I look at her impressive menu, all handwritten on a chalkboard hanging behind the counter. “Um, can I try a lavender latte?”

“You sure can,” she replies. “Mav, your usual?”

“Black coffee, thanks.” He pulls out his wallet, but Anastasia shakes her head.

“Your money is no good here, Mav, you know that.”

“You need to let me pay.”

“Nope. You have stepped up and helped us, Mav. Therefore, you can’t pay here. And since Sadie is with you, her money is no good either.” She flashes a smile and heads back around the counter.

“What did you do for them?” I ask, curious to know more about my caretaker than he seems willing to share. Not that I’m exactly letting my secrets spill out, either. But if I can learn something—anything about him—then that would be great.

He shrugs. “Nothing big.”

“Nothing big?” Anastasia repeats as she grinds some coffee, then tamps it down. “He stood guard outside a hospital room to protect Weston when he was injured. Then there’s the fact that⁠—”

“Baby, you’re going to embarrass the poor guy,” Sawyer interrupts.

Anastasia rolls her eyes. “Fine, but my declaration stands. You don’t pay, Maverick Fargo. Not a single dime.”

Maverick Fargo. At least now I know his last name.

“Hey, Mav, can I talk to you for a second?” Zane asks.