Page 82 of Deadlier Obsessions

Gage stares at me with a concerned expression, knowing I don’t talk about this, and exactly why.

“Lucy.”

Not surprisingly, Stella joins in with her friend, “She’s right, Maverick. You should be willing to tell us everything. Gage told us about his sister.”

I snort loudly. “Sure. After locking you in a bedroom all night. Maybe that’s what I need to do.”

“You wouldn’t,” Lucy bites.

“I’m considering it.”

I get up off the bed and groan, “I’m getting a fucking drink,” and storm out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

Once I make it to the kitchen, I grab the bottle of whiskey, which literally has one fucking swallow left. Nice. I toss it in the garbage can and grab the scotch and pour myself far more than I should probably be drinking. I’m so lost in my own personal hell, memories that still haunt me to this day, that I don’t hear either of them come up behind me. I have no clue they are there until I feel small warm hands on my back.

Lucy whispers my name, and I turn around to both women staring at me with concern. It’s too much. I can’t handle it, and I know before I even open my mouth, it’s not either of them causing the vile words to spew out of me.

“If I wanted you around, I would have invited you.”

They both step back at the same time, but don’t speak a word.

“You’ll learn your places. When I want you around, your legs will be spread. Until then, get out of my sight.”

If I thought the shit with Hannah still haunted me, it’s nothing compared to the pain in both of their eyes. Still, they don’t say a word. I move past them both and walk to the bedroom, my drink in my hand.

“Hey, man,” Gage says, as I throw back the rest of my drink before setting the empty glass on the dresser. I grab sweatpants and a t-shirt and get dressed quickly. Taking the keys from the drawer, I pocket them. “I’m taking the Range Rover.”

Gage sits up. “Where are you going?”

“Away.”

“Maverick!” he barks, which is interesting because he’s never called me by my full name, for the entire time I’ve known him. I grab the door jamb with one hand, grip it hard, and close my eyes, and when I speak, my voice comes out drenched with emotion I wish I could push down.

“Take care of them.”

I open my eyes to Lucy and Stella in front of me, begging me with their gazes. They don’t need to say a word, because I already know what they’re feeling.

“Stay,” Stella whispers softly.

I don’t acknowledge her; I simply step between them and walk away from them. From everything I’ve ever wanted. Did I just blow my life up? I guess I did. Some of us can’t handle good things coming our way, and self-sabotage is the only way we can deal with it.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

SEBASTIAN

Both Stella and Lucy stand in the doorway for the longest time, completely silent and, in one word, shattered.

Gage calls each of their names three times with no response.

“Ladies!” He barks, finally getting their attention, as their gazes snap to his, but still they say nothing.

“Come here,” he says softly.

They both walk to the bed and get in beside us. Lucy on the outer side with Gage and Stella beside me. We hold them both as the tears start. I know them both, and there’s no doubt they will blame themselves for this. I have no clue what the fuck set Mav off, but I’m sure it wasn’t something they said or did.

Gage holds Lucy to his chest as she cries, “How could he just leave like that?”

I glance at him and I’m positive he knows exactly what happened, but he just shakes his head, letting me know he isn’t going to tell me.

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