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“Because I had nowhere to go. But now I do.” Maven’s gaze swung to me. She looked so lost and out of place, like she didn’t feel comfortable in this house anymore. Neither did I.
“Of course,” I joined in. “You’re always welcome to stay with me, for as long as you want.”
A chill swept the room as Maddox laughed bitterly. “Yeah, I don’t think so. We’ve been over this. As long as there’s trouble, you’re staying here.”
I couldn’t fully contain myself anymore as my fury slipped out. “Like hell she is. I’m taking her out of here, and I dare you to fucking stop me. She’d be safer with me than she would ever be with you.”
“Don’t think I won’t fuck you up, Wolfe.” Maddox slammed his glass down on the bar and took a few threatening steps in my direction.
Ace turned toward him, ready to act as the barrier between us. From where he sat on the arm of the recliner chair, Ruthless eyed us with glee. The twisted bastard always enjoyed a fight.
Not at all afraid of my brother, I beckoned him with a raised hand, inviting him to take his best shot. Suddenly a knife cut through the air and embedded in the wall next to Maddox. I recognized it as the one I’d gifted Maven for her birthday years ago. Having heard enough, she leapt to her feet.
“You both need to sit down and shut up for a minute,” she spat, waving us away from each other. “Have any of you jerks stopped to think about what I want? I will not have you argue over me like I’m an object to be possessed. That goes double for you, Maddox. I didn’t ask for help from any of you.”
Ruthless chuckled but said nothing, watching the scene play out like an amused bystander. Maven shot him a scathing glare, daring him to speak. He mimed zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key.
“Permission to speak?” A mischievous grin played about Maddox’s lips. He’d always loved it when she was mad. “It doesn’t matter if you asked for help. There are people after you, and I’m not letting anyone get their hands on you again. End of story.”
As much as I hated to admit it to myself, I agreed with Maddox to some extent. Leaving Maven without protection right now was out of the question.
I raised a hand, hoping like hell I wasn’t about to piss her off. “Don’t hate me, Mave, but I agree with him on one thing. You need protection right now. We all know you can handle yourself in a fight or on a job, but there are two syndicates making plans for you. Until we can eliminate the threats, you’re safer with us. However, I don’t agree with Maddox. Nobody can force you to stay.”
Maven gazed longingly toward the front door, and I knew deep down that she wished she’d never come back to River City. That hurt me more than anything she could have said or done. I didn’t want to chase her away again. I’d rearrange Maddox’s face if he sent her running.
“Let’s do it then,” she said after a long moment of silence, sitting back down. “Let’s eliminate the threats. I want my life back.”
“Now that’s something that actually sounds like a plan,” Ace added. When he was sure there wouldn’t be a fight, he plopped down on the couch next to Maven. “Or at least the start of one. What did you have in mind, Bright Eyes?”
Having our full attention, Maven sat up straighter. Her gaze darted around the four of us, ensuring that we were taking her seriously. “We have to make a move against the Archer Syndicate. A big one. I’ve been gone a while. I can probably get close to one of their guys. Most of them won’t recognize me. I’ll get info about one of their big upcoming deals, and then we’ll fuck it all up for them. We’ll make sure they know that it’s only the beginning.”
Listening to her so coldly plot against our biggest enemy was sexy as hell. Goddamn I’d missed this woman. Judging by the expressions Ace and Maddox wore, I wasn’t alone in that feeling. Ruthless’s icy exterior remained unchanged.
“I like it.” Leaning back on the couch, Ace slid an arm around Maven’s shoulders. “There’s that strip club on the south side where Archer’s men like to hang out. You could easily target one of them there.”
“It’s not the worst idea,” Ruthless admitted, somewhat grudgingly. “If you pose as a stripper, you’ll have no trouble getting close to someone.”
Maddox shook his head, unwilling to be part of this discussion. “Fuck no, Maven. You’re not doing that. Might as well just go to Archer’s house and hand yourself over to him. It’s not worth the risk.”
Eyes narrowing, Maven settled in against Ace, sliding a hand onto his lap. She held Maddox’s gaze, unblinking. “I don’t recall asking your permission, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Since you seem to be taking your time in dealing with Archer, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”
I absently scratched my chin, using the action to hide the laughter I stifled. I missed this part the most, watching Maven stick it to Maddox every time he mouthed off. She’d always been damn good at keeping him from getting too carried away. Nobody else reached him the way she did. I enjoyed watching his ego deflate in the face of her determination.
“Seriously?” Maddox laughed in disbelief. “Better watch your mouth, sweetheart. You don’t know shit about what’s been going on around here since you took off. If you think you can do a better job, be my guest.”
He knew just as well as I did that Maven detested being called sweetheart. She said it reminded her of being hit on by creepy old men.
“I know that the four of you weakened yourselves by splitting your power and resources,” she shot back. “You gave Archer the win he needed to stay on top. Well, I won’t live in a city where I’m seen as a weapon to be used against you. And since I don’t intend to leave any time soon, changes will have to be made. I’m bringing Archer down, with or without the four of you. As for the Thorns, they’ll make a move eventually, and I’ll keep killing the people they send. Help me or don’t, but I’m doing this my way.”
My heart skipped a beat as I fell in love with Maven all over again. How did she manage to be so damn incredible? Everything she’d gone through had made her stronger. Deadlier. I suspected that none of us knew just how deadly, but we were going to find out.
Unfortunately, she was right about the four of us. When we’d gone our separate ways, we had weakened ourselves. There was no doubt in my mind that we’d have torn the Archer empire down by now if we’d remained united.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, doll,” Ace declared, dramatically bowing his head in submission. “If you want to make a move against Archer, I’ll gladly have your back.”
He clasped her hand in his, kissing her knuckles. Maven lit up, beaming at the charming playboy, making Maddox scoff in disgust.
“I’m in,” I said, relishing the shock that spread across Maddox’s face. “Let’s make Archer hurt.”
