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“The truth hurts, right,” Mav mutters.
I spin back to face him. “Have you ever thought about why I can’t commit, Maverick?” I snap. “Have you ever wondered why I stick to one-night stands and men who treat me like shit?” He stares at me. “Because I’m terrified of them finding out the truth. Of them seeing how dirty and used I am,” I hiss. “So, yeah, I might fuck this up, but at least I’m trying to get on with my life.” I go to leave.
“Wait,” he says, more calmly this time. “Just . . . I shouldn’t have yelled. Don’t leave.”
Arthur looks to me for direction, and I love that he’s letting me choose. “We’ll give you time to cool off. I’ll be at Arthur’s if you need me.” In truth, I need the time away to sort my head out. I’m suddenly being plagued by thoughts of Ripper, he’s even back in my dreams, and having Maverick breathing down my neck isn’t helping.
ARTHUR
I love that she chose to leave with me. She trusts me to take care of her, and as she sniffles into a tissue, curled up on my couch, I place a hot chocolate down on the table. “I’ve not made that stuff in years,” I say, and she smiles gratefully. “If you need to talk?”
“I’m fine. Sorry for all this, drama seems to follow me.”
I swoop down, kissing her on the head. “It’s not a problem.”
Albert comes in. “We should make a move,” he tells me. I was hoping I’d get out of meeting Jolene, but he clearly isn’t letting me off the hook.
Meli smiles. “I’ll be fine,” she reassures me.
“Okay. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“So, you and Meli are serious?” Albert asks the second we get in the car.
“It’s early days, but I like her a lot.”
“Enough to go head-to-head with Maverick,” he comments.
“He’ll cool off. I was never asking permission. I was merely informing him out of respect. What he chooses to do next is his problem, but I’m not letting her go.”
“It’s our problem if he cuts ties.”
I sigh. “He won’t. Let him have his tantrum and it’ll be all good. Speak of the devil,” I say, taking my ringing mobile from my pocket. “Mav,” I answer. Some of his brothers wanted more time to think about the vote on whether they should help intervene with E15.
“Looks like we’re going to war with these rats.”
“Good man. I’ve got a meet with some of our captains right after I see Jolene. We’ll find out what’s going on, and I’ll get back to you with an update.”
“Okay. How’s Meli?” he mutters.
“She’s safe.”
“That’s not what I asked,” he snaps.
“With all due respect, Mav, and I do respect you, I’m gonna take care of your sister whether you like it or not, and that means I get to decide what I tell you about her, cos right now, I don’t think you have her best interests at heart.”
“You don’t know her like I do, Arthur. If she changes her mind, are you gonna let her walk away?”
“No.”
“Exactly, so you’re wrong when you say I don’t have her interests at heart. I’m looking out for both of you. If this goes south, I’ve gotta protect her from you.”
“Then let’s hope it’s doesn’t.” I disconnect right as we pull up outside Jolene’s.
We go inside the apartment block and the security calls ahead to inform her of our arrival. We head up, and she’s already waiting at the door looking confused. “Not one, but two Taylor brothers.”
“Are you alone?” Albert asks. She nods and steps aside so we can go in.
She follows. “If this is about Leon and Max, I have no idea where they are. I’ve called and called, and neither are picking up. We had words, but they never usually ignore—”
