AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The breath he released was audible. “Star, sheis. She knows where you are now.
“You’re raising a kid who isn’t afraid to wade into the fray for the people she loves.Youare the person she loves. Sure, she cares for Alessa and me, butyou are her mom. You’re raising a little lioness and those kinds of people don’t back down.
“Can you tell me, if the roles were reversed and you were Kati and you thought that O’Donnelly guy would help bring your mom home, that you wouldn’t sneak out too?”
She was quiet for so long that I knew she was trying to figure out how to say no without actually saying the word. Then, she gave up trying and huffed. “No.”
As my lips curved, Maverick diplomatically reasoned, “Don’t be surprised when she pulls these stunts. She might come across like an elephant-footed fairy, stomping on people’s toes and accidentally kicking them as she does a cartwheel, but she’s a smart kid who isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done—in this instance, that was bringing you home.
“We did figure out how she left, and I plugged in the gap in our security. Even if she tried, it won’t happen again, but I’m telling you, the reason for her leaving is done with so she’s safe and you don’t need to worry.
“Now, with that being said, that doesn’t meanI’mnot worrying. What the fuck went down? Who held you captive?”
I rubbed a hand down her back, surprised that she let me comfort her, yet alsonot. Star was starved of affection and I didn’t think she even knew it. She was so hemmed in that it was a wonder she could breathe freely.
As she gave Maverick a surprisingly in-depth rundown of what had happened and the deal she’d struck with Kuznetsov, I listened and just held her.
Supporting without interfering.
My brothers would have yanked the phone away from their wives, would have wanted to fight her war for her, but that wasn’t what Star needed. Me running roughshod over her life was the last thing she required of me. But I’d never met anyone more in need of someone to have her back, and I’d be that for her until the day I fucking died.
When Maverick cut the call, she released a heavy breath and sagged into me as if that had drained her dry of every ounce of energy she possessed.
“We should eat,” I said, gently stroking my hand over her hair.
“I think I’d prefer a bottle of tequila.”
“That can be arranged,” I teased.
Her nose crinkled as she pulled back to look at me. “We can’t afford to have hangovers. We need to get started.”
“Technically, wehavestarted.”
“You and I both know that’s the tip of the iceberg.” She bit her lip. “Do you think he’s right?”
“To blame you?” I shook my head. “You were both in an untenable situation. And, to be frank, if you didn’t need to be here, I don’t think you would be. I think you’d be with her.”
“Of course, I would,” she whispered. “When I first started this, I did it for myself. I needed vengeance. I needed payback. But with every woman I uncovered who was forced into that way of life, it became about more than just me.” For the first time, she stepped away from me. Reaching up to rub her forehead, she mumbled, “So much suffering, Conor. I don’t want to sacrifice a moment away from my kid, but I have to because there are women out there who are still where I was.
“I got out but they weren’t so lucky, and I can’t handle that. The weight on my conscience is too much for me to bear.”
“We’ll bear the load together,” I told her simply. “We deal with this, we bring them down, and then, and only then, will we grab a bottle of tequila each and get hammered.”
Her lips quirked. “I can’t imagine you drunk.”
“I’ve been told I’m a happy drunk.”
“Why does that not surprise me? You’re always happy.”
I shook my head. “I’m not. You just bring it out in me.”
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “Thank you for being here.”
“You don’t have to keep on thanking me.”
“I do.” Her eyes narrowed. “Got it?”
“Got it,” I drawled, amused.
