AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And as they close the door to April's cottage for the last time, Lilly can't help but feel a deep gratitude for the gift of friendship and the enduring imprint April has left upon their lives. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” she whispers.
Turning to the girls, she gives each of them a hug. “I’m going to check on Gage. He’s at Maverick’s. He should be done by now.”
“Tell him thank you,” Calli says. “Matt and I… Well, we couldn’t bring ourselves to clear out his house. Some things are still too raw.”
“I need to run, too. Lennon keeps getting new intel from his contact, Jack. It’s not looking good.” Dawn huffs in frustration.
“Matt mentioned that he needs to call a meeting soon,” Calli says as she rubs her arms.
Lilly raises her eyebrows at this new information. “Okay. Tell him to let me know when, and I’ll be there.” She gives the girls one last hug before climbing into her Jeep and heading toward Maverick’s home.
Gage stands in Maverick’s small, cluttered cottage overlooking the lake with a mix of restlessness and curiosity. He had always wondered about his original ortemplate,as he liked to refer to him. Many of the clones had voiced their own interest of what theirs were like as well. Nature versus nurture. Biologically they were the same, but what about their character? Mannerisms? These questions and more had crossed his mind over the years even when he’d thought the Homani were long dead.
Determined to learn more, Gage begins packing up Maverick’s belongings, sifting through dusty boxes and old papers. Amidst the clutter and chaos is an old weathered journal tucked away in a corner. Its worn leather cover beckons him, whispering promises of revelations and self-discovery. With trembling hands, he opens it and immerses himself in the pages.
Gage's eyes widen as each new line reveals the intimate musings of a man he never knew. He reads about the dreams and aspirations, the triumphs and setbacks of the person Maverick once was. A man who strived daily to fight off the demons that plagued him.
Maverick’s journal talks about how Lilly stood by him during his darkest hours, and how grateful he was for her unending support. Then with Calli’s arrival, the writing becomes chaotic. His words paint the picture of a man who lost his battle with his past and hurt the people he loved.
Every stroke of ink strikes a chord within Gage.This could have been me. If their worlds would have been reversed, would he have fared any better? The haunting insight into the potential Maverick had once possessed, but had somehow lost along the way, gives Gage pause at how easily a different path can cause such catastrophic results.
Lost in contemplation, Gage is startled when the journal is snatched out of his hands. His brows furrow. “Lilly?”
His mate is clutching the book in shaking hands, her expression thunderous. The fury radiating from her is palpable.
"What the hell are you doing?" Lilly's voice trembles, her gaze piercing into Gage's soul.
Gage swallows, his face flushing. Hands raised in surrender, he gets to his feet. "I was just trying to understand Maverick better. To get a sense of who he was."
Lilly's fist clenches at her side, the other still holds the book, and her tone is laced with accusation. "He's gone, Gage! You have no right to invade his privacy like that. That journal was meant for him, not for you."
Gage's voice softens. "I never meant to hurt you or disrespect Maverick. I understand that, to you, me reading this journal was crossing a line. I deeply apologize."
He looks into her eyes, hoping for a glimmer of forgiveness, but instead of softening, her gaze remains hard.
Without a word, Lilly turns on her heel and storms out of the room, her footsteps echoing through the house. Gage’s heart sinks.
He follows after her, his steps hurried as he navigates through the house. He finds her standing outside, her back turned toward him and her body tense. Taking a deep breath, he approaches her cautiously. “Lilly?”
He reaches out to turn her but to no avail as she shrugs him off. Lilly remains silent, her shoulders stiff as she refuses to face him.
"Please, Lil,” he continues. “I understand if you need time to process this. I just wanted to know who he was.”
A loaded silence hangs between them. Gage searches for any sign of softening in her posture, but she remains resolute.
Resigned, Gage takes a step back. He can sense the anger and hurt radiating from her, and it weighs heavily on his conscience. "I'll respect your need for space. Just know that I am here for you whenever you're ready to talk."
Without turning around, Lilly says, "Your apologies mean nothing to me right now. You violated Maverick's privacy and disrespected his memory. I can't believe you would do something so thoughtless."
Gage's heart sinks further, and he pushes down his frustration in the face of her hurt. With loss, all rational thought can be tossed out the window, and at this point in her grief, she can’t see from his perspective. What can he say to express his regret?
"I need some time away from you. I need space to process this. I can't be around someone who would disregard the boundaries and memories of a dear friend." She turns abruptly and walks away.
His gaze is fixed on her retreating figure. He stays where he is. As painful as it may be, he must respect his mate’s need for space. He resolves to give her the time she requires, but not too long for her to get into her head and spiral. He’s determined to mend their relationship.
With a heavy heart, Gage slowly turns away, taking one last look at Maverick's house.
Chapter twenty-three
