Maverick (Carter Brothers Book 5)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Go on.”

  I turn to face him, no longer able to look at Maverick. “That weekend I went to a kid’s party from school and lost my virginity. I didn’t want her to take it from me. I knew Lynn enough to know she wasn’t kidding around. And I knew my uncle would do almost anything for money.

  “After I came home from the party, I started to clean up Travis’s mess like I normally did when he had his friends round for a party. On the table was a wad of cash, three thousand. I stole it, packed a bag, and ran. I haven’t seen Lynn or my uncle since. Not until today when she said I lost her money getting Holly arrested.”

  “What’s her last name?” Maverick asks, taking my hand in his. It surprises me. I didn’t think he’d want to know me once he knew I was a thief, and why I lost my virginity.

  “I only know her as Lynn. We weren’t BFFs. My uncle either ignored me or beat me, so he never talked enough to tell me.” I shrug.

  “What’s your uncle’s full name?” Evan asks.

  I wipe my eyes, looking to him. “Travis Bellington. He doesn’t have the same last name as my dad. They were brothers by marriage,” I explain.

  Evan types it into his phone. I sit, staring into space until I feel Maverick squeeze my hand.

  “What does this Lynn want you to do?” Maverick asks.

  “She wants me to take Holly’s place, but first, I have to steal a night’s take to make up for the loss she’s taken. If I don’t, she threatened to hurt you and Nan. She had four men with her. Big men. And she told me she’d tell Travis where I am. You don’t understand what he’ll do to me if he finds me. I stole a week’s worth of money―money he probably owed to other drug dealers,” I tell him, tears threatening to fall once again. I don’t tell him she threatened to have her men hurt me. It will only fuel his anger, and I don’t want him getting more worked up or doing something stupid, like giving in to her because he doesn’t want to see me hurt. I’d rather take a beating any day of the week than sell drugs for some scumbag.

  “No one’s going to hurt me or your nan. And you won’t be made to do anything that crazy bitch asks. Did she give you a number to get in touch with her?”

  “No. She said she’ll contact me in three days to get the money.”

  “Okay, if she contacts you, don’t answer. We’ll find out who she is. I’m sure Holly is talking to the police already, trying to get out of her charges. Don’t worry. If she contacts your uncle, it won’t matter. I won’t let him get anywhere near you to hurt you.”

  I nod, sniffling once more.

  “Does your nan have CCTV at her flower shop?” Evan asks, looking up from his phone. I’d question him how he knew about my nan owning a flower shop, but with Evan, I’ve found it’s best not to ask questions. He always seems to know more about everyone else than they do about themselves.

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “I’ll ask at the shops nearby if I can check their footage. Maverick’s right. If she contacts you, don’t answer. She can’t hurt you. We’ll find her before she even thinks of doing anything stupid. It’s what I do,” he tells me, smiling. His calm demeanour reassures me, but deep down, a part of me has a sinking feeling that everything is about to go from bad to worse.

  “Okay,” I whisper, nodding.

  “I’m gonna see what I can dig up about our new friend and inform the police of this new development.”

  He gives Maverick a look, a silent communication passing between the two before he gets up and leaves.

  “Where’s Faith?” Maverick asks.

  I look at the clock on the wall, panicking when I see what time it is. “Shit! She’s in after-school club. I’m gonna be late.”

  “I’ll go get her. Call the school and tell them who I am, and that I’m picking her up. You go pack an overnight bag for you and Faith. You’re staying at mine tonight.”

  “You sure?” I ask, not wanting to admit how shaken up I am at seeing a part of my past. Or how comforting it will be to be in his presence, in his arms, feeling warm, tender and safe. I’ll take anything, even if it’s only for a night.

  “Yeah. I could do with a night away from this place too, and I can’t think of two people I’d rather spend my time with,” he says, pulling me to my feet. We both pause, staring at one another, lost in each other’s gazes. Guilt gnaws at me and I bite my bottom lip.

  “I can’t believe it was someone from my past selling drugs in your bar. I’m so sorry. I feel like I’m the reason,” I admit.

  He sits on the arm of the sofa, pulling me between his legs, his arms around my hips. His expression is serious, focused, and sure when he looks up into my eyes. His thumbs start rubbing in slow circles on either side of my hips and I sigh, relaxed and content from that one touch.

  “This isn’t happening because of you. It didn’t happen because of you. It was happening well before we even met and was an ongoing issue we couldn’t deal with. Not until you came along and helped us. Don’t shoulder that blame, Teagan. None of us could’ve known what was going to happen. Hell, I never thought Holly would be capable of doing what she did, especially when she knew the drugs were defective. So relax, don’t let it get to you. Oh, and kiss me.” He grins, his pearly whites and dimples on show.

  I smile, leaning forward and capturing his lips in a deep kiss. They’re soft, warm, and he tastes like peppermint. I could kiss him all day and never have enough.

  My lips feel swollen when I pull away, blinking back the desire I have for the man in front of me. “We need to get Faith,” I rasp, dropping my forehead to his. I close my eyes, my body swaying from desire.

  His hands tighten on my hips, a groan escaping his mouth before he pulls back a little, putting some breathing room between us.

  “Yeah,” he says huskily, his pulse pounding at his temples. “We’ll continue this tonight.”

  “Promise?” I smile, forgetting the day’s events.

  “Oh, it’s a promise.” He smirks, kissing me once more.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Maverick

  A small, heavy weight pounces on me, knocking the wind out of me at the same time I hear a squeaky meow.

  That damn rat.

  “Wake up,” Faith whisper-yells, her breath blowing in my face.

  I open my eyes, seeing a mass of wild brown, curly hair. Dark chocolate eyes shine down on me with a smile brightening up the dim-lit bedroom.

  Looking down, I chuckle. “Faith, you’re strangling Splinter.” I pull him out of the chokehold she has him in, getting attacked in the process. “Ahhh, you little….” I stop, remembering Faith. Splinter runs off, but not before shoving his ass in my face, making me choke.

  I swear that cat has the devil in him. When Joan first brought him home for Lake, I was a little apprehensive about the funny-looking creature. But when Joan explained how Lake needed routine, something to call hers so she would know this was home, I gave in. Then it attacked Max every chance it got. It would’ve been funny but the thing hates men. Literally. Not even Granddad can be around it without it attacking him somehow. But the worst part about it all is the fact that none of the girls see what it’s really like. He’s sweet as pie to them. It’s annoying as hell.

  “Why do you keep calling him Splinter? Max called him that too, and some other names, but he told me not to tell anyone he said naughty words. I thought his name was Thor,” she whispers, careful not to wake her mum―who I kept up all night fucking.

  “It is.” I chuckle. I take in her school uniform and my eyes widen. “Shit! We need to get you to school.”

  Her eyes go round as saucers as she places her hand over her chubby, rosy cheeks, leaving her mouth hanging open.

  “You can’t say naughty words either. Mummy will be so mad.”

  I grin, giving her a wink. She’s just too cute sometimes. “Don’t tell your mum. And as long as you don’t repeat the bad words, we’re good.”

  “That’s what Max said.” She nods, seeming to be okay with it. “Ohhhh, guess wha
t? Max said he’s going to take me to school today.”

  “He is, is he?”

  “Yeah. He said you owe him big money. He told me to come and ask you to do my hair so we can crack on.”

  “Crack on?”

  “Yeah, Max said that too. He said it wasn’t a naughty word. So, can you do my hair?”

  I chuckle, shaking my head and look over to Teagan’s sleeping form. She’s lying on her side, her hands pressed together under her cheek. She’s flat out, light snores coming from her mouth. I don’t have the heart to wake her, knowing I exhausted her last night. And she looks sexy as fuck.

  I glance back to Faith who holds her brush in my face, smiling wide. I sigh, giving in. I’ll never be able to tell this girl no.

  Sitting up in bed, I take the brush from her, noticing her eyes are glued to my chest.

  “Can I have drawings on my chest?” Faith asks suddenly.

  I grunt, amused. “Squirt, they’re called tattoos. You can’t get them until you’re eighteen,” I tell her, even though I was sixteen when I had my first one done. Pro of looking older than your years.

  “I want Elsa and Cinderella. I want one here and one there.” Smiling, she points to each of her skinny biceps.

  I pick her up, turning her so she has her back to me. I hold the brush up, pulling it through her thick hair, struggling when it becomes knotty. She doesn’t flinch but she does fidget, making the job much harder.

  Once I have all the knots out, I pause, wondering what the fuck I’m supposed to do next. She hasn’t moved so I’m taking it she wants it in a ponytail like the girls wear theirs.

  “Um, squirt, how do I put your hair up?”

  “Oh, sorry. You need this,” she says, handing me a bobble. “And I have to wear it in a plait for school. Mum doesn’t want me to get bugs. She said she hates trying to get the suckers out.”

  “Bugs?” I ask, giving her head a wide birth, leaning back.

  “Yeah, nits,” she states. “Come on, Maverick, I’m going to be soooo late.”

  I panic, looking back to Teagan. I have no idea what I’m doing or even what a plait is. We never really had females around growing up or cared to know how to do hairstyles. I’m completely out of my element.

  “Um… is Kayla awake?”

  “She’s gone to the shop with Lake and Harlow.”

  Shit!

  “Okay. I’ve got this…. Shoot. How do I plait it?”

  She huffs in frustration, her tiny shoulders rising and falling in the process. “You take three pieces of hair and you do this thing.”

  “What thing?” I ask, dividing her hair into three sections.

  “I don’t know,” she says, puffing out a breath. “Mummy does it.”

  Your mum is a freaking saint.

  I’m still holding the outer sections of the hair I divided when the bed beside me moves.

  “What are you doing to my daughter’s hair?” Teagan asks, her voice still filled with sleep. It’s husky, sexy, and if Faith weren’t sitting in front of me, my dick would be hard and on its way to being inside Teagan. I can’t get enough of her.

  “I have no fucking clue.” I chuckle and drop her hair, sighing with relief.

  “Oh no, what time is it?” Teagan sits up, clutching the sheet to her bare chest.

  “Are you naked, Mummy?” Faith snickers.

  Teagan freezes, a red blush staining her cheeks as she stares at Faith. I’d laugh at her expression if the situation weren’t so awkward.

  “Turn back around,” Teagan rushes out, ignoring her daughter’s question. Faith giggles, doing as she’s told. Teagan takes that moment to lean over the side of the bed, coming back up with the shirt I discarded last night.

  “What time is it?” she asks me as she pulls my shirt over her head.

  “It’s fine, Max is―”

  “Faith, c’mon, kid. I want to be back in time for breakfast,” Max shouts up the stairs.

  I glance at Teagan, who looks confused. “Max is taking her to school. And yeah, you should do her hair before he comes up here. He’ll most likely try to get into bed with us,” I deadpan.

  She looks horrified at the thought and quickly grabs Faith, dragging her across the bed to her lap. Faith giggles as I chuckle, but Teagan ignores us, looking panicked.

  I’m fascinated as I watch Teagan run her fingers through Faith’s hair. She parts it, much like I did in three sections, but from the top instead of at the bottom. Then quicker than I can keep up with, she plaits Faith’s hair.

  I’m in awe. Shivers run up my spine as I watch the elegance, the smooth, skilful touch as her fingers twist and turn.

  It almost makes me beg her to run her fingers through my hair.

  “All done, baby,” Teagan announces. She pulls Faith against her front, nuzzling her cheek and neck.

  “Faith! C’mon…. Fuck’s sake Splinter. Argh, Lake, come and get the rat. He’s―” Max stops, a high-pitched screech echoing up the stairs. “Lake?”

  Faith giggles, jumping off the bed. “I should go save Thor before Max gets hurt or realises Lake isn’t here.” She giggles to her mum. “Love you to the moon and back. Oh, and Mum,” Faith says when she gets to the door. “Teach Maverick how to do girls’ hair. He didn’t know what to do,” she says, rolling her eyes.

  I open my mouth to defend myself but Teagan’s abrupt laugh stops me. I turn, finding her laid back, her hands clutching her stomach.

  “What?” I ask, my voice high and defenceless. I cough, clearing my throat, and narrow my eyes down at her.

  “I just pictured you trying to do her hair. You looked so… so scared.”

  Her laugh has my lips twitching. “I didn’t know what to do.”

  “I could tell. You even held her hair like it was an offensive object,” she wheezes, still laughing. “I’d dread to think what she would have gone to school looking like had I not woken up.”

  “Stop laughing,” I warn her, trying to sound stern.

  “Nope! I’ll have to teach you now. The lady has spoken.” She laughs harder, shoving her head in the pillow to muffle the sound.

  When I move she looks up, rolling onto her back. I fall between her silk thighs, pinning her arms above her head. The laughter dies from her lips, turning into a soft chuckle. The amusement is still clear on her face, shining brightly back at me through her eyes.

  “Stop,” I order.

  She goes to protest so I lean down, pressing my lips to hers before she has a chance to speak. She moans into my mouth, her body arching beneath me. My dick twitches, hardening against her already wet folds.

  She looks up at me from beneath her dark, long eyelashes, her hazel eyes sparkling back at me, strong with lust and desire.

  That one look undoes me, tearing my heart wide open. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I’d feel like this about someone, that it would be this woman who would make me feel so alive, free, and unstoppable. Every time I’m with her I feel like I can finally have it all, baggage or no baggage.

  “Mine,” I growl as I slide inside her silk folds, a primal need for her taking over.

  *** *** ***

  After taking Teagan for the second time in the shower, we both leave freshly clean, yet the smell of sex still lingers. It doesn’t help that her lips are swollen and bruised from kissing, and that her face is still flushed from her orgasms.

  We’re walking down the stairs after finally managing to get dressed. I’ve not been able to take my hands off her, especially since she has that ‘just fucked’ look going on. She works it well too.

  In the midst of fantasising about her sweet body and her incredible mouth, I’m shaken out of it when I hear my brother’s slightly raised voice.

  “You’re being emotional,” I hear Malik say, sounding exasperated and exhausted. I can also detect a slight hint of sadness and pain.

  “Uh-oh,” Teagan mutters, eyes wide as we step into the kitchen.

  “No, I’m not,” Harlow argues. She’s sitting at the
table with her head down. Denny stands in Mason’s arms by the sink, looking concerned for her friend. As do Lake, Kayla and Myles, who are watching the disaster play out in front of them.

  “Then why are you talking about moving back in with Joan?” Malik yells. He looks panicked, pale, and frustrated.

  Harlow starts sniffling, crying into her hands. I look back to my brother, the torment in his expression. Seeing her like this is killing him, I can tell.

  Needing to fix whatever is going on, I take a step towards Harlow, who seems as fragile and broken as Malik. I grab the chair from the table and drag it so I’m sitting next to her. I give Malik a quick glance to see if he’s okay with me being so close. One thing I’ve learnt about my brother since he’s been with Harlow is that he hates people touching her, even if we’re related. He doesn’t even seem to notice me, his gaze fixated on her.

  I have to fight not to go over there to reassure him that everything is going to be okay. But at this stage, I don’t think it matters what I do or say to him; he won’t see reason.

  Turning my attention back to Harlow, I put my arm around her, rubbing my hand slowly down her back. Everyone watches, giving us a wide birth, but I can tell this has gotten to them too. This isn’t like Harlow. She lives and breathes my brother; anyone can see that.

  “What’s up, Harlow? Why do you want to go back to Joan’s?” I ask softly.

  Her breath hitches at my question. She seems just as pained by the idea as Malik. It’s hurting her, so I don’t understand why she’s saying it if it’s not something she truly wants.

  I’ll never understand women.

  She looks up at me, her eyes red and swollen from crying. “It’s not going to work.”

  Malik steps forward, looking stricken at the idea. “What? Why? Harlow, what’s really going on? I love you.” He drops to his knees at her side, his face deathly pale.

  “I want more,” she cries, bending her head to look down at him. The second she does, another sob tears from her throat.

  “Harlow, you’re just emotional right now,” Denny says softly. She goes to take a step towards her friend but Mason pulls her back, shaking his head.