Page 18 of Anarchy

“What the hell? Let me go!” Rue grunts at Ghost, trying to push him away. Her small form to his large one is comical to watch as she struggles to get to me.

“Don’t worry, Death, Maverick will be on his best behavior. Won’t you?” His glare at me makes me chuckle as I sit up, leaning against the sink cabinet.

“I swear I’ll be on my best behavior.” I nod with a soft smile on my face, pulling my knees to my chest to rest my elbows on them.

The silence is thick and awkward in the space until Rue clears her throat before speaking, “Uh Ghost told me… About Aspen.” Gazing up at her, her eyes are full of sadness, shoulders hunched over as she wraps her arms around her middle. “I’m sorry.” She whispers, and her apology is sincere.

I nod at her, accepting her apology, “It’s okay. Couldn’t really be helped…” I drift off, not wanting to rehash that nightmare again.

“Ghost said you lost your Pet? I’m guessing it’s not a dog, right, like it’s a real human?” Her eyebrow hitches as she speaks with a hint of humor in her voice.

“Yes, she is a human.” I chuckle at the thought of being this heartbroken over a damn dog. “She’s… uh… I-I think I love her.” The words stumble from my mouth, and we are all silent at the shock of my statement. No one dares to say a word at my new revelation, that is until Rue pipes in.

“Damn, I didn’t think your mean ass could actually love anyone.” Her laugh echoes through the RV, and I can’t help but to laugh along with her, and Ghost joins in, kissing her cheek in a loving gesture.

“Yeah, me neither, but she’s different.” I try to convey my emotions with my eyes; Rue gazes at me and finally nods in understanding.

“Okay, well then, what are we waiting for? We better find this infamous Pet before he turns grumpy again.” Her eyes roll with sass as she strides over to the passenger seat of the RV, waving for Ghost to follow, which he does with no hesitation.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d wonder who was actually on the leash here.” Ghost turns around and glares at me from the driver's seat, making me chuckle.

“Shut the fuck up, Mav, or I’ll turn this fucking thing back around.” I hold up my hands in surrender, getting comfy on the floor as the RV starts to roll forward.

I must have fallen asleep again, because the next thing I know it’s pitch black outside. Ghost is still driving away, and Rue is snoring softly in the passenger seat. I stand up and stretch, making my way to the front to see if Ghost needs to switch.

“Hey, I can drive for a while, why don’t you go and rest?” I nod my head at the obvious bags under his eyes and wave my hand towards the back of the RV. His eyes sweep over Rue’s sleeping form as he nods his head slowly, applying the brake. I look out at the windshield and see something moving in the middle of the road. “STOP!” I yell, and Ghost slams on the brakes without hesitation. “What the fuck?” I say in confusion as a small figure limps into the center of the road, waving their arm frantically. Their clothes are dingy and covered in dirt. One foot is wearing some kind of makeshift shoe while the other one… Is wearing a pink combat boot. I don’t even hesitate before I bolt for the door with Ghost yelling after me. “Little one, is that you?” I ask in a shocked, cracking voice as I walk closer towards her. Her hair is dirty and stringy around her face; the arm in front of her face shielding her from the headlights slips enough that I get a peek of her beautiful eyes. Her knees buckle, and she falls to the pavement, and I rush to her to encase her in my arms, holding her tightly to my chest. “Mallory, baby…” I whisper as I clutch her to me in fear that she’s just a mirage. Her small hands tighten in the front of my shirt as sobs wrack her body. Her exquisite face peers up at me, and she’s just as beautiful as I remember even with the dirt and tears staining her cheeks.

“Ma-a-averick?” She says through her hiccuping sobs, her lower lip trembles as she stares up into my face. My hands grip her cheeks automatically and bring her face closer to mine so I can kiss her softly; her familiar taste invading my senses heaves a groan from my chest.

“I found you. I told you that I’d always find you, my sweet, Pet.” I say with adoration as I nuzzle my face into her neck, soaking up her familiar scent through all of the dirt and grime. Her body trembles in my hold as I scoop her up bridal style, carrying her back to the RV. She makes a contented sound as her fingers still clutch onto my shirt for dear life.

“M-mal? Is that you-u?” Rue’s voice pipes up from beside the RV as she stares at the exhausted woman wrapped in my arms. She takes a tentative step towards me as Mallory swings her face to stare at her friend. Both of their bottom lips wobble, and a painful sob is wrenched from Mallory’s chest, but the reaction from Rue is the complete opposite. Her eyes look up at me with fire in them, her stance shifting, tiny hands balled up into fists. Ghost is behind her and notices the change, grabbing her from behind and hauling her to his chest before she lunges at me. She struggles in Ghost’s grip, trying to get to me, spewing profanities at me, which makes me stop dead in my tracks and clutch Mallory closer to my chest. A giggle seeps out of my Pet’s lips through her crying as she takes in the debacle. “You fucker! She’s my friend! I swear to God if you hurt her, I’m going toKILL YOU!” Rue screams at me, making Mallory laugh harder. I stare down at the girl clutched in my arms and then back at the girl screaming at me, and I’m confused as fuck. Ghost is looking at me with the same confusion and shrugs his shoulders. Well, this is not exactly how I pictured this reunion going.

ChapterTwenty-Five

MALLORY

The warmth surrounding me feels so nice that I snuggle back into it, imagining that I’m back at home in my comfy bed. I wiggle my ass back, and it brushes up against something hard, which makes me frown, and then steel bands wrap tighter around me. I let out a gasp, my eyes flying open, and light blue wallpaper greets me. My eyes sweep down my body, and the sight of tan arms gripping me has my stomach swooping and the memories from last night swarming my mind. I snuggle deeper into Maverick’s embrace, grinding my ass back against what I now know is his hard cock. He lets out a grunt, squeezing me in warning, which has me giggling softly.

“If you don’t stop, I will fuck you right here, and I don’t have any problems with your friend being nearby.” He growls in my ear, and it makes me laugh out loud until a pillow is launched at us from behind, smacking me in the side of the head.

“Ew, please don’t fuck her in front of me!” Rue’s voice whines behind us. A chuckle escapes me as I roll over to straddle Maverick’s waist and grind against his pelvis, my hands clutching at his T-shirt. “Mal, seriously!” Rue’s foot stomps against the ground, and her arms are crossed over her chest. My eyes lift to hers with a mischievous glint. We stare each other down until both of our eyes start to well with tears. I bolt off of Maverick’s body and launch myself at Rue, wrapping my body around hers like a baby monkey. Her laugh is thick and full of emotion as she hugs me back. “I fucking missed you, Mal.” Rue’s voice cracks, sending me into a crying mess. We eventually end up on the floor in a puddle of tears and limbs. “How did you meet that asshole?” She asks with a smirk, her thumb hitching behind her to point at Maverick, who is lounging sleepily on the makeshift bed.

“It’s a long ass story, Rue.” The memories of our first meeting flit through my mind, and it makes me cringe.

“Well, good thing we have nothing but time now then.” She says with an arch of her eyebrow, her arms crossing over her chest.

“Do you remember Chad? From our chemistry class. He would hang out with a Jake and Derek?” She eyes me with confusion until the pieces slip together.

“God, yes, I remember them! They were such creeps, always staring at you from afar, and Chad asked me out once.” She shudders with a puke face as she recounts that awful moment.

“I went to that party and shit hit the fan… I got lost in the woods, fell down a fucking hill, and knocked myself out, Rue! When I woke up, those three were surrounding me. They took me to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, and they… they uh…” I struggle to say the words because they still put a bad taste in my mouth.

“She was trussed up in nothing but those pink sparkly heels, tied between two trees. Damn, she was a vision with tears streaming down her pretty face. They were going to do unthinkable things to her, so I killed them.” Maverick’s voice floats through us, startling Rue; his eyes are locked on mine with intense possession. “I’d say that I saved her from impending doom, but my intentions were purely selfish. I wanted her all to myself.” He says with a smirk marring his handsome face.

“Awe, that’s so sweet it makes me want to barf.” Rue says with a laugh, so I punch her in the arm, and she sends me a look of mock hurt.

“He’s been good to me Rue… better than anyone else.” My cheeks turn bright red, and I glance up at Maverick with shyness.

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