Pytor could’ve told him anything, but—honestly—Maverick hadn’t heard a word past bruises. He’d been sickened to learn Gio had bought Zander from his family when he was sixteen. To know the man had been abusive too, it was too much. Maverick wanted him double dead.
After shifting to his feet, Pytor moved around the kitchen, finding a wooden tray, and unloading the food in Maverick’s arms. He kept talking as he arranged the food and added fruit to the haul.
“The Conti, he was sickeningly obsessed with Zander. He brought Yaro and me from Russia to watch him, ensuring no one looked the boy’s way. He was possessive and sadistic. Gio was also convinced his enemies would try stealing Zander to use against him.” Pytor shook his head. His eyes took on a sad tint. “I am ashamed to say, it was also our job to ensure the boy did not run.” With Zander’s breakfast tray looking like a professional chef had designed it, Pytor handed it to Maverick. “We’ve been very happy to see him smile.”
Maverick accepted the tray, speechless. He’d learned more about Zander in one conversation with Pytor than he had in months of being with Zander. Now, all Maverick wanted to do was be everything for the man he loved—give him all the things he’d never had.
“I intend to make him smile a lot more,” Maverick said, finding his words. He headed for the door intent on doing just that. Maverick almost made it to the hall before another question occurred to him. He turned back and focused on Pytor. “Why doesn’t Zander celebrate his birthday?”
Pytor’s eyes fell closed for a moment. When they reopened, they looked dead. “Shortly before Zander turned eighteen, he disappeared. It didn’t take long for Gio to find a teenager with no money, living in the country illegally. As punishment, Gio brought Zander’s little brother here for Zander’s eighteenth birthday, let them visit for two hours, and then killed the boy in front of Zander. He said, for every time Zander tried to run, he’d watch another member of his family die a worse death than the last. Zander hasn’t celebrated his birthday since.”
With one final nod of thanks, Maverick carried the tray to the bedroom. He needed to set eyes on Zander, ensuring the man’s happiness. He felt sick over Pytor’s revelations. Maverick couldn’t get back to Zander fast enough. He needed to make the man’s life better. Most of all, he needed to prove he accepted every part of Zander—loved all of Zander, ugly past and all. The bed was empty as he came through the door. Before he had time to be disappointed, the bathroom door opened, and Zander stepped out. His hair had obviously been brushed, but he wore nothing more than a white t-shirt and underwear. Maverick had never felt so much pride as he did each and every time he set eyes on Zander.
“I was about to go searching for you.”
A smile tugged at Maverick’s lips at the confession, wiping away the ugliness of Pytor’s story. He set the tray on the dresser. “In your underwear?”
Zander shrugged. “There’s no one here who hasn’t seen me in less.” He crossed the room and stared down at the breakfast Maverick and Pytor had put together. “What’s all this?”
Maverick couldn’t stand another second of not holding Zander. He wrapped his arms around him from behind, molding his body against Zander’s. “It was supposed to be breakfast in bed, but you woke up too soon.”
A soft chuckle escaped Zander. “I could get back in bed.”
Maverick brushed his lips across Zander’s ear and caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror above the dresser. Zander looked amazing in Maverick’s arms. He was smiling. Maverick held tighter. “What can I do to keep you smiling today?”
“You’re doing it,” Zander answered without hesitating.
That wasn’t enough. He needed to give Zander everything he’d never had. “What if I gave you another day of letting you have whatever you want—no regrets or complaining?”
The way Zander’s face lit let Maverick know he’d made the right decision. “A full twenty-four hours?”
Maverick nodded. “Of course.”
Showing his shrewd side, Zander didn’t let up. “Starting now or when we get home?”
In that moment, Maverick would’ve agreed to anything. “How about we start now, but the no complaining clause doesn’t end until it’s been a full twenty-four hours back home?”
Zander’s expression shifted. He bit his bottom lip, looking worried. “Can we start in a minute? I want to tell you what I want to do with my full day of spoiling you. Otherwise, I’ll always wonder if you went along with me because you promised not to scoff.”
“Okay,” Maverick said, dragging out the word. He couldn’t think of thing Zander would say that Maverick would scoff at, especially since he was all about making his man happy. “Hit me with it.”
“I’m moving you in with me.”
Maverick blinked. His mind blanked. Of all the things he might’ve expected Zander to say, that wasn’t one. Before he could think of a single damn response, Zander kept talking.
“Before you tell me you don’t need me to take care of you, I know you don’t need me. This isn’t about money or anybody owning anyone. I love you,” Zander said, holding Maverick’s stare in the mirror. “This is about me wanting to share a life with you. I want all your days and nights.”
Without warning, Maverick’s throat swelled, and his eyes burned. For the first time, he saw what he’d been fighting. Zander had never been trying to buy him. Maverick was the one with the issue. He’d been so busy trying to prove he was worth keeping, even though he couldn’t match Zander financially, he’d ignored what Zander had been telling him all along. This was love. They were supposed to be working toward making a life together because they didn’t want to be apart. He didn’t need to prove to Zander he didn’t want the man’s money, because Zander didn’t care about it at all.
Maverick swallowed past the lump in his throat. “You are the very best thing that’s ever happened to me. I want your every day and night too.”
Zander looked so hopeful it made Maverick’s chest hurt. “So, I can keep you?”
“We’re keeping each other.” Maverick laughed. Happiness swelled inside him, taking control of him. “I can’t believe I fell in love with a mafia boss.”
A loud huff escaped Zander. “I told you. I’m not—”
Maverick tilted Zander’s head back and captured his lips, cutting off the man’s argument.
Rapid knocking landed on the bedroom door. “Boss, do you want me to call and get the plane ready?”
Laughter vibrated through their kiss. Maverick no longer knew whose it was.
“I swear that’s just a coincidence.”
“Give us two hours,” Maverick called out, sending Yaro on his way. He spun Zander and set him on the edge of the dresser.
Zander didn’t release his hold on Maverick’s shoulders. His eyes flashed with mischief. “What could we possibly need two hours for?”
Maverick picked up the juice. “I need to feed my man.” He intentionally poured juice down the front of Zander’s shirt. Zander laughed while Maverick released an obnoxious gasp. “Oops. Now, I also have to clean my man.”
Zander’s laughter was the sexiest thing Maverick had ever witnessed. No one would ever steal it from him again. Not on Maverick’s watch. He couldn’t fix the past, but he would be the future.
Nine
One year later…
Back-to-back meetings were kicking Zander’s ass. All he wanted was to be with Maverick. Of course, it seemed even Zander’s showers weren’t safe these days from his resentment for stealing his time away from Maverick. Every second they spent apart was murder. All Zander did anymore was rush to see his sexy fighter. Zander bit back a growl when his phone buzzed on the way to the car. If one more person asked him for one more thing, Zander would fire them. Yaro held open the back door. Zander fished out his phone as he slid inside the car. Maverick’s name brought a smile to his face.
Maverick: Check your voice recorder app.
Zander: I have a voice recorder app?
&nbs
p; Maverick: *sigh* it looks like a microphone.
Zander flipped through his screens. He spotted the tiny picture of a microphone. There was one recording available. “Huh. Who knew?” Zander hit play.
Maverick’s voice filled the car. “I know you have a busy day filled with boring meetings. Just know I have a day filled with sweaty men, and not in a good way. Even though life pulled us in different directions today, I know I’ll think of you all day. Miss you like crazy and love you even more.”
“He is nice guy. You should keep him,” Yaro said, voicing his opinion, which was unusual for him.
“I think I will.” After a full minute, Zander realized he was smiling at his phone like an idiot. He was stupid in love with Maverick. Zander didn’t know where to go with it sometimes. He wasn’t sure Maverick was ready to hear exactly how much Zander wanted from him.
Zander: That made my day. I miss you like crazy too, love you even more, and can’t wait to see you.
Maverick: Check your left pocket.
He didn’t hesitate to dig through his left pocket. Zander pulled out a tiny heart-shaped chocolate and a note Maverick had obviously slipped in there at some point. He unfolded the note and read.
Eat my heart. Do it. You know you want my sugary goodness in your mouth. I promise I’ll bring a smile to your face.
With a chuckle, Zander unwrapped the candy and popped it in his mouth before picking up his phone again. There was an unread message from Maverick.
Maverick: Admit it. You ate it. You ate my heart, you sick bastard.
A loud snort escaped Zander. He hugged the phone to his stomach and stared out the window. Still, his smile wouldn’t abate. He had no idea how Maverick always managed to find the smallest ways to wow him, but the man had completely swept him away, filling in every dark space with light. He couldn’t wait to see what Maverick had planned next.
Taking Pytor’s advice to heart, Maverick was easing Zander into celebrating his birthday again. As much as Maverick wanted to go all out, he understood Zander not wanting to have a party on the date of his brother’s murder. On the other hand, Maverick craved fawning over the day his man was born. He hoped, since it had been twenty-one years since his brother’s death, Zander would let him make new and happy memories for the day.
It had fully been his intention to go small. A nice dinner at an expensive restaurant. Wine, candlelight, and heated glances. Maybe the occasional sneaked feel beneath the table. Each time Zander looked his way with his bottom lip held between his teeth, a different craving rose inside Maverick. He wasn’t sure he could go another day with this desire burning in his gut.
“I love you.”
Zander said the words before Maverick could. Maverick didn’t hesitate in returning them. “I love you too. And, I know you don’t want to hear it, but happy birthday.” At Zander’s wince, Maverick scrambled to fix it. “Should I start saying, thank god the love of my life was born today, instead?”
A small smile hovered on Zander’s lips. “Baby, you can say whatever you like. It’ll just take me time to adjust.”
“You are the love of my life, you know?” Maverick said, turning serious. He needed Zander to understand how their lives were entwined now. With three sponsors backing him, including Green, Maverick didn’t need Zander’s money. Not that he ever had, but he couldn’t live without the man. “There’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for you, but there’s a hell of a lot I’d do to keep you.”
Zander’s gaze softened the same way it did when Maverick kissed him. The oxygen thinned in the room. Maverick found himself leaning closer. He didn’t want to miss a word Zander had to say. Zander’s expression shifted, turning nervous. He toyed with his napkin.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you…”
When Zander’s words died, and he focused on something over Maverick’s shoulder, Maverick followed his gaze. “Is that Jude?”
“Yes. The world is very small.”
“Is he with—”
“It would seem so,” Zander said, cutting him off.
“Holy shit. Are they—”
“Yep,” Zander said, sounding every bit as shocked as Maverick felt.
“I can’t look away. If I keep sitting here, I’m afraid I’ll keep staring all night. Should we—”
“We should get the check.”
“I’ll get the check,” Maverick said, motioning for their waiter. This new development definitely cramped Maverick’s plans, but some things a person couldn’t ignore or unsee. When their waiter appeared at the edge of the table, Maverick shoved enough bills the man’s way to pay for their meal and a sizable tip. “Sorry. We have to go.”
Maverick led Zander from the restaurant. They moved faster than necessary. When the night air hit them, Zander was the first to break. A loud laugh burst from him. Maverick couldn’t look away from the sight of Zander’s happiness.
“Did we just run from something supremely stupid?” Zander asked, holding his side and chuckling. The wind blew Zander’s hair in his face. A huge smile stretched his lips. The moon and the ocean were the perfect backdrop for the perfect man.
Maverick’s feet moved, closing the distance between Zander and him. His hand went his pocket and his fingers encircled the gold and platinum ring he’d kept hidden all night. Before he could drop to one knee, Zander did. His chin hit his chest. Maverick could only blink at the sight of Zander at his feet.
“Maverick Abney, I know you’re probably not ready. I’m equally certain you don’t wish to be tied to some man fourteen years older than you. But there’s no one else I’d rather spend a second with, much less my life. I’d love for this day to finally be remembered for something good. Will you marry me?” Before Maverick responded, Zander scrubbed his face and came to his feet. “Don’t answer me. I’m an idiot. I don’t have a ring or anything. There’s nothing special about this moment.”
“Everything is special about this moment because you’re here,” Maverick said, pulling the ring from his pocket. “I brought a ring.”
Zander stared at the golden band Maverick held. His gaze moved from Maverick’s hand to his face. “Are you being serious?”
A smile burst from Maverick. “You beat me to the punch. I planned to slip this in your pocket instead of candy this morning, but I lost my nerve. I worried you’d see the ring and decide not to come home. Then, I worried, since it’s your birthday, you’d feel like I wasn’t respecting your brother’s memory.” Maverick knew he was babbling but he couldn’t stop. “The thing is, no matter what the date says on the calendar, I don’t want to spend another one without matching last names. Age doesn’t matter, and I’m pretty sure I’ve been ready since three weeks before we met. I just want—” Zander’s mouth covered his, cutting off Maverick’s nonstop chatter.
Even as Zander’s tongue stroked his, Zander pried the ring from Maverick’s hand. With a final brush of lips on lips, Zander pulled away. Maverick watched as he slipped the ring on. Something shifted in his chest. He’d always known Zander was his, but seeing Zander wearing his ring doubled Maverick’s possessiveness.
“Sometimes, I think Yaro can see the future.”
Maverick blinked. Of all the things Zander could’ve said in their moment, that wasn’t one Maverick would’ve picked. “What?”
Zander smiled, melting Maverick’s heart. “Tonight, on the way home, he said I should keep you. Since I already have you, it seemed an odd thing to say. Now, his words make perfect sense.”
“Well, I should admit, Pytor and Yaro helped me pick out the ring.”
Zander looked down at his hand. The light hit the gold and platinum piece. It was unusual. Perfect for the unique man who wore it. “So, the boys have been plotting against me.”
Maverick tilted Zander’s chin up and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “What can I say? They love me. They think you should keep me. Have you decided yet if you will?”
“Fuck,” Zander cursed, pulling a chuck
le from Maverick. “I never answered. Yes, of course. Wait, I asked first. You should’ve been the one to answer.”
“I gave you a ring,” Maverick argued. “Jesus, can’t you just marry me without arguing over it? I plan to marry you, even if you want some big, expensive wedding that’s going to make me crazy. No doubt, you’ll want me in a hundred-thousand-dollar suit or some shit, when Vegas literally has drive-thrus where you can get married, and you can charter a private plane that could have us there in a matter of hours.”
Zander’s whole body shook with laughter. “You could use a hundred-thousand-dollar suit.”
“Are you serious?” Even Maverick heard the horror in his voice.
“Of course,” Zander said, sounding pragmatic. “You never know when that might come in handy.” He walked away, leaving Maverick floundering.
He chased after him. “No one needs that expensive of a suit. Do you know how many homeless people we could feed with that much money?”
Zander glanced over. “Do you?”
Maverick hadn’t expected to be questioned. “Well, no, but I imagine it’s a fuck ton.”
“Okay,” Zander said, linking fingers with Maverick and headed for the car.
“Okay, what?” An agreeable Zander was a reason to be suspicious.
“Okay, we’ll give a hundred-thousand to a homeless shelter and we’ll fly to Vegas tonight instead.”
Maverick had the oddest feeling he’d just been maneuvered. “All right.”
Zander stopped and met his gaze. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Maddening or not, Maverick loved this man more than life.
“Life with me won’t be boring.”
Maverick knew that shit was right. There hadn’t been a dull moment since they’d met. “Thank you.” Maverick couldn’t hold back the words.
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