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I smiled and nodded, having little to contribute to the conversation. My attention was dominated by the raven haired beauty in Ace’s arms. I waited for the right moment to cut in, needing a chance to speak with her. So much time had passed, but watching Maven dance with Ace, it almost felt like she’d never left.
When I couldn’t contain my patience any longer, I crossed the dance floor, catching Ace’s eye. “Here. You can hold the drinks while I cut in.”
“All right. Can’t promise I won’t drink them.” With a nod of his head, Ace accepted the drinks I held and surrendered Maven to me.
I didn’t give a shit about dancing. I only wanted to be close to her. Part of me felt like if I didn’t take the opportunity now, she may disappear again, and I’d be robbed of it forever.
Extending a hand to Maven, I waited for her to take it before pulling her in against me. “Sorry to cut in. I thought I better take my chance while I could. I still can’t believe you’re here.”
She fit perfectly in my arms, like she always had. Peering up at me, Maven couldn’t hide the emotion that flitted across her face. “Ace is still a riot. He said you called your syndicate the Wolf Pack. That’s fucking adorable, by the way. I’m glad you two were able to make a name for yourselves. You deserve it.”
“I don’t know about that, but we’ve worked hard to do our own thing while Maddox and Ruthless fight it out with Archer’s idiot crew.” Mentioning Maddox felt wrong, like it would hurt her, but we couldn’t pretend he didn’t exist. “Have you seen Maddox yet? Does he know you’re back?”
Maven bit down on her lower lip and nodded. “My father invited him to dinner without my knowledge. It didn’t exactly go well.”
I stiffened, forcing myself to keep moving her about the dance floor even though my heart wasn’t in it. “What do you mean? Did something happen?”
If Maddox did anything to drive Maven away again, I’d kick his ass myself. My chest grew tight as I waited for her to explain.
Maven’s gaze darted around the room. Mentioning my brother seemed to take her to a bad place. Who could blame her?
“I think he kind of threatened me,” she said, voice low for my ears only. “Apparently Maddox wants to punish me for running out on the syndicate. Like a traitor.”
Anger brought my body temperature to an unbearable high. What the hell was Maddox thinking?
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I calmly said, “I won’t let him do a damn thing to you. I swear it.”
“I think he was just pissed that I didn’t react the way he wanted. Maybe he thought I’d be falling all over him or something. I wasn’t exactly warm and receptive.” Maven patted my arm, trying to calm the beast she saw rising in my eyes. “It’s cool, Wolfie. Forget I said anything. I’m not scared of Maddox.”
While I highly doubted that Maddox would hurt Maven, I didn’t put it past him to find ways to make her life hell. He didn’t want to punish her for leaving the syndicate. He wanted to punish her for leaving him. That twisted fucker.
Jaw clenched, I nodded, working hard to suppress the fury that my asshole brother managed to incite without even being present. He and I were long overdue for a good fight. Our last scrap had been shortly after Maven left. Ruthless and Ace broke it up before we could kill each other.
The music changed, slowing down. I prepared to let Maven go, but she surprised me by pressing closer and sliding her arms around my neck.
“You still get that look in your eyes when you’re mad. Let it go, Wolfe. Please. The last thing I want is to cause more bad blood between the two of you.” Maven laid her head on my chest, swaying gently to the music. Nothing had felt this fucking good since the last time I held her.
I smoothed a hand over her hair, wanting so badly to pluck out the pins that held it up, to watch it tumble over her shoulders and down her back. More than that, I wanted to see it splayed out on the crisp white sheets of my bed while I made her submit. She’d always been so willing and eager for me.
“Don’t worry about us,” I murmured. “Our problems are not your fault. Maddox is a hotheaded asshole who only thinks about himself. Let’s forget him and enjoy ourselves. I’ve waited too damn long for this to let him ruin it.”
Maven’s arms tightened slightly around me, and she nodded. “Sounds good to me. I missed this more than you will ever know.”
“Does that mean you don’t have a man waiting for you somewhere?” I teased with a chuckle. “He’s not going to show up and kick my ass is he?”
Her soft laughter eased the tension holding me rigid, allowing me to relax into her. “Oh come on now. You know one man isn’t enough for me.”
“I don’t think there are many out there that can keep up with you either. Not if you’re anything like you used to be. You always could keep me on my toes.” I ran a hand down her back, savoring the way she felt in my arms. Too fucking good. “I bet you’re carrying at least three weapons under that dress.”
“You always did know me so well.” Turning her face up to meet my gaze, Maven flashed me the smile that I’d been missing for seven years. “I still have the knife you gave me for my birthday. Used it on a guy not all that long ago.”
My brows rose as I pictured Maven alone in another city, fending off a strange man. The sudden need to tear the guy limb from limb struck, and I stuffed it down. “I hope you made him sorry he was stupid enough to fuck with you.”
“Of course.” Batting those long lashes, Maven’s gaze went to my lips.
As much as I wanted to press her for more information about the man who’d become acquainted with her blade, I couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her. When I leaned in for it and she didn’t pull away, I didn’t hold back.
My lips moved on Maven’s, slowly at first. Tender and soft. I’d thought that I would never hold her like this again. Never touch her. Seeing her here looking like my dream come true had floored me, leaving me stunned.
