Page 43 of Maverick

"Mav, back it up," John says quietly. Maverick doesn't move until John's large hand comes to his shoulder and squeezes. Then he seems to snap out of some sort of fog, and steps back. He's still close, but I can breathe again, so yay me.

John stays next to Maverick, hand on his shoulder. Is he holding him back? Why? Why would Maverick care so much that he physically needs to be held back? And why aren't I panicking about having a very large man crowding me?

Because you already trust him, idiot that you are.

"What do you mean we're coming home with you?" I ask, my brow furrowed in confusion. "Mav, you're my boss. I appreciate the concern, but this is inappropriate."

Maverick's jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with determination. "I don't give a damn about being appropriate right now, Cady. You and your grandma are living here for fuck's sake. You can't stay here. It's in the middle of the industrialarea. There's all kinds of sketchy shit going down around here at night."

I cross my arms, standing my ground. He's saying everything I've thought, but I'm doing my best, even if my best isn't good enough. "We're fine. We have everything we need here. It's temporary, just until I can save up enough for a new place."

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. "And how long will that take? How long have you been living here already?"

Three months.Not that I plan on telling him that. I'm not really in the mood to watch the top of his head pop off.

"Again, it's none of your business. And you don't get to come in here and dictate where we live," I argue, my own frustration rising. "I'm an adult, Mav. I can take care of myself and Nan."

Just then, Nan enters the room, fully dressed and alert, hair tamed into her sleek pixie cut. She used to wear it in a helmet shape, but after she lost all of it during her cancer treatments, she kind of liked the way it grew back. I'm so happy to see her healthy, I don't care how she wears it. "What's going on here? Why are you causing such a ruckus?"

Maverick turns to her, his expression softening slightly. "Ma'am, I just found out you and Cady are living here at the rescue. I want you both to come stay with me until you're back on your feet."

Nan raises an eyebrow, looking between Maverick and me. "And I take it you don't like that idea, kiddo?" I shake my head, and she crosses her arms. "Why does it matter so much to you young man? Why all this fuss?"

His eyebrows wing up, and he clears his throat. "Fuss? Well, I don't think it's particularly safe for either of you to be staying here. This isn't the best area of town."

One finger taps at her arm, over and over. "No, it isn't. But there are plenty of women living in worse areas of town. I don'tsee you knocking on their doors, trying to get them to move in with you. Unless you're some kind of pervert, looking to build a harem of women." She squints at him. "You have a bunch of women locked up in that apartment of yours?"

Abby and John both wheeze, sucking back their laughter. I'm a little more used to Nan, so it's easier for me to hide my smile. Maverick's face is turning an interesting shade of red.

"Jesus. Fuck. No, I don't have a harem. I care about Cadence and I'm really not okay with her sleeping on a fucking floor. Or you." He pales and clears his throat. "Sorry for the language, ma'am."

Nan hums and taps her fingers on her arm. "I don't really like her sleeping on the fucking floor either. And the cot is killing my damned back." She squints at him. "Where do you live? I'm not sharing a bathroom with you. I was married for fifty two years, I know what men are like. I don't want to see your gaunch all over the floor or sit on a wet seat."

Maverick's mouth drops open. John walks over to a kennel, shoulders shaking. Abby stays right where she is, looking between all of us, giggling. "Cady, I love your Nan." She wipes tears of laughter from her eyes, and pins Maverick with a look. "Mav? You going to leave underwear all around the house? Cause boys are nasty, as we all know."

"I…I — I have two guest rooms, and they share a bathroom. You won't have to share with me."

"Huh. And where do you live, young man?"

"On the lakefront. Thirty-Ninth floor."

Nan's eyebrows wing up. "Well, well, well. Cady's got herself a rich admirer. Nicely done kid. Okay, we'll go with you. I'll go pack my stuff." She's whistling as she walks away. Unbelievable.

"Nan!" I call after her, more than a little frustrated. "We can't just move in with him. He's my boss." She knows this. Why doesn't she seem to care?

She turns, her gaze sharpens, a glint coming into her eye that makes me nervous. "So you're her boss, and you want her to come live with you? That about right?"

Mav shifts uncomfortably and shoves his hands in his pockets. "I'm barely her boss. I mean yeah, I own the club, but I'm not in charge. My manager makes all the hiring and firing decisions. I just pay the bills."

She makes a little humming noise, and keeps him pinned under her fierce look. "So what does that mean for Cady's job?"

His shoulders roll back, and he stands a little taller. "You don't know me, but I can assure you that is not the kind of man I am. I would never fuck with her employment. Her job is hers as long as she wants it." He winces, and gives me an apologetic look. "As long as Trixie's satisfied with your performance. I won't overrule her, but I don't think that would be an issue. From everything she's said, you've been a great fit and we'd be crazy to lose you."

Somehow, that makes me feel better than a blanket assurance that my job is safe. Because yeah, if I start fucking up on the job, you're damned right I should be fired. Trixie has high standards, and I wouldn't want any special treatment.

At least not at work.

Other places? I'd like to be treated very special.

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