Page 74 of Fumbled Love

I pinched the bridge of my nose and stormed back into the meeting.

“I have an emergency. I have to go?” I was surprised at how calm my voice was.

Beau Landers, the owner of the team, popped his head up. “Everything okay? Do you need anything?”

“I have to fly to New York. My girlfriend was attacked by a shit member of the paparazzi. Any chance I can borrow your jet?”

“Done. I’ll have it ready for you in thirty minutes.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

He picked up his phone and started barking out orders, while every single person in the room asked what they could do to help. I didn’t stick around long enough to answer them. Instead, I headed straight to the airport.

My phone call with Kinley’s mom did nothing to soothe my fear and anger. I was relieved that she was okay, but I wasn’t sure how I would handle seeing her or if she would even want me there. I tried to call her, desperate to hear her voice, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Either it was turned off, the battery was dead, or she didn’t have it with her.

When we pulled off the highway and into the private airport, I was relieved to see the jet ready and waiting for me. The car came to a stop, and I wasted no time running up the stairs and onto the small plane. I buckled my seat belt and clenched the armrest as soon as we took off. I might not have been able to get through to her, but I sure as fuck was going to try to get some answers.

After being transferred and put on hold for half the flight, I finally got a hold of someone at the NYPD. It had only been a few hours, so there wasn’t much information, just endless questions from me. After throwing every name I had at my disposal around, the only thing I got was a promise to call me with any updates. I bit the guy’s head off and threatened to sue the department if they didn’t find the fucker. The detective told me my money and threats didn’t mean shit, and I needed to back off and let them do their job. So, I sat and stewed in my seat until the plane touched down at Teterboro. A private car was waiting at the stairs when the door of the jet opened.

As I was sliding into the back seat, Kinley sent me a text, letting me know that she had been released from the hospital and was home resting. Due to the heavy traffic and a shit ton of construction, the forty-minute car ride seemed to take forever. By the time I made it through the front door of her building, my heart was thumping painfully hard in my chest. I used the key she gave me when I stayed here last time, not even bothering to knock.

I sucked in a sharp breath at seeing her buried under a mountain of blankets. Chad and Taylor were hovering over her, saying what I had no idea. My shoulders slumped in relief when I saw that she was okay.

Chad pushed off the couch as soon as he saw me. I shoved him out of my way and crossed the room in three quick strides. No one and nothing was going to get between us again.

Kinley sat up and straightened against the pillows. “Maverick?” She hiccupped a sob. “How did you get here so fast?”

Chad glared at me, and Taylor smiled, seeming relieved.

“My boss let me borrow his jet.” I knelt next to her. “Are you okay? Is the baby…” I choked out the words, unable to finish the sentence.

She ran her fingers over my stubbled cheek. “I’m fine, and so is the baby.”

“Thank God.” I sighed, leaning into her touch.

“I just have a few scrapes and bruises.”

“And a concussion,” Taylor added.

A bit of tension in my shoulders eased until my eyes landed on Chad. “Why was she by herself?” I barked out.

He leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. “Maybe if her name and face weren’t splashed all over the internet, she’d be able to do something as simple as taking the trash out without being hounded by a crazed celebrity chaser.”

A muscle in my cheek ticked. I didn’t think I just moved. “I’m getting really sick of your attitude.”

“All right, you two.” Taylor stood between us and held her hands out. “This is not helping.”

“Maverick, come here,” Kinley called out. I glared at the fucker one last time. I knew I had to calm down, but the shithead was pushing every single one of my goddamned buttons. That lid I had on my temper was ready to pop off.

Kinley grabbed my hand and entwined our fingers. I was still visibly shaking, but the brush of her fingers helped settle my nerves slightly. “This is not your fault.” She glared at her friend.

“Yes, it is.” I scrubbed a free hand over my face. “You could have been seriously hurt.” I was pissed and terrified. As much as I hated to admit it, Chad was right. I should have done more to protect her. Instead, I spent the last week with my public relations people and sitting in team meetings trying to come up with a solution. I thought seeing her would calm me down, but it only fueled this raw panic swirling inside me.

“I’m just glad I got to her in time and chased him off,” Chad said, trying to act like he was some kind of white knight. I grounded my teeth together in an effort to keep my mouth shut. That strategy lasted for two whole seconds.

“You never should have allowed her out in that alley alone,” I barked out, needing to take my anger out on someone.

“You’re right,” he said. His voice was calm, but I could tell he wanted to tear me apart. I should have let him try. At least I would have been able to release some of my fury. “Just like you shouldn’t have allowed those pictures to hit the internet, so I guess we’re both to blame.”

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