Page 121 of Maverick

"Fuck," Micah says, weights hanging from his hands. "Bad idea.'

"He's right," Declan chimes in. "Those weights could easily total a car, let alone hurt someone."

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "So what do we do? Are we giving up?"

My phone vibrates in my pocket. When I see Trixie's name on the screen, I move a few steps away and answer immediately. That woman is so capable she keeps everything running smoothly without me, so when she does call, it's usually important.

"Trixie? What's up?"

Her voice comes through shaky and panicked. "Maverick, you need to get here now. Some men tried to rob us. They had guns. There was—" Her words are drowned out by a commotion and sirens in the background.

My heart rate spikes. "Trixie? Are you okay? Is Cadence okay? What happened?"

"Just get here," she manages before the line goes dead.

I turn back to my brothers, my mind a wash of panic. They've fallen silent, all watching me with concern.

"What happened?" Ransom asks, his eyes searching my face.

I can barely get the words out. "Trixie said there were men with guns"

The world seems to tilt on its axis. Cadence. My Cadence is there. The thought sends a jolt of terror through me, making it hard to breathe. Not again. It can't happen again. The odds have to be astronomical. There's no possible way.

"We need to go. Now," I hear myself say, but my voice sounds distant, like it's coming from someone else.

As we rush to the elevator, my mind is flooded with images of Cadence hurt, scared, or worse. My hands shake as I fumble with my car keys. I can't lose her. Not now, not when we've finallygotten together. It's so fucking good, the universe can't be that cruel.

The fear is overwhelming, threatening to paralyze me, but I need to get to her, to make sure she's safe. Nothing else matters right now.

"I'm driving," Ransom says firmly, taking the keys from my trembling hands. I don't argue. I'm in no state to be behind the wheel.

As we peel out of the parking garage, I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Please, let her be okay. The thought repeats like a mantra in my head. Please, let her be okay.

39

MAVERICK

We pull up toThe Escape, my heart pounding in my chest. The world around me blurs into a chaotic mess of flashing lights. Police cars are everywhere. I'm trapped in a nightmare, one I've lived before.

My legs feel like lead as I stumble out of the car. Ransom's saying something, but his words don't register. All I can hear is the echo of gunshots from years ago, the screams that still haunt my dreams.

Ambulances. There are ambulances. My vision tunnels, and for a moment, I'm that scared little boy again, watching paramedics wheel out bodies on stretchers. Watching them wheel away the person I loved most in the world.

No. Focus. This isn't then. This is now. I scan the faces of the people being treated. None familiar. Thank God. Unless…

Nope. I can't go there. They all have to be okay.

I lurch towards the entrance, desperate to get inside. A uniform materializes in front of me, blocking my path. Without thinking, my fist cocks back, ready to clear the obstacle.

A hand catches my arm. Ransom. He's between me and the cop, talking in low, urgent tones. I can't make out the words overthe roaring in my ears, but whatever he's saying works and the cop steps aside.

We push through the door, and the familiar interior of my club feels alien now. Shattered glass crunches under my feet. Overturned tables. The acrid smell of gunpowder hangs in the air.

My breath comes in short, sharp gasps. I'm drowning in memories, in fear. Where's Trixie? Where's everyone? I spin around, searching for a familiar face in the sea of uniforms and shocked expressions.

"Mav." Ransom's voice breaks through the fog. He wraps his arm around my chest, tugging me into him so I can feel his chest moving. "Breathe, brother. Breathe with me. We'll figure this out, I promise."

I nod, not trusting my voice. One breath. Then another. I have to keep it together. For Cadence. I can't let the past pull me under. Not now. Not when she needs me.

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