Page 136 of Never Started
The words the man used shortly before taking Maverick’s life come flooding in.It’s a shame that he chose the way he did.What choice did Jett make? What the fuck did he do to cause this?
The confusion morphs into a fiery, hot rage, and I let out a scream that leaves me trembling.
“Miss Landry?” I hear a familiar voice call out from behind me just as a hand is placed on my shoulder. Out of instinct, I swat it away before turning around to meet the eyes of Detective Blackwell. He’s the same detective who has been actively working on Via’s case since Liam attacked her. After all this time. Little does he know…
He asks me questions, none of which I can answer coherently. Everything is a blur, and I feel as if I’m not even here. I know what shock is, and I know that’s what I’m currently experiencing, but I don’t know how to pull myself out of it.
Everything feels off, and my mind is spinning. What a coincidence that he’s also the first detective on this case… So fucking poetic. I’m spaced out, still not comprehending any of his words, but for an added reason—a creeping suspicion that has my stomach twisting with nausea.
I don’t linger on the thought, not when I hear my name being called out from a distance, then yelling. Angry and panicked yelling. Instantly, I snap out of the haze I’ve found myself stuck in.
I feel Jett’s presence before our eyes even have the chance to meet; it fucking enrages me.
Seething and confused, I ignore Detective Blackwell further and take off in a sprint, running toward Jett at the border ofthe crime scene. He’s yelling at the officers who are keeping him behind the crime scene tape.
Maverick’s face as he pushed me down and gave his life for mine will forever be etched into the forefront of my mind, and at this moment, it’s all I can see. The love he had for me was unsurpassed. He gave his life to prove it. And Jett… Somehow, he’s involved in all of this, and I need fucking answers.
Slowing my pace, I walk up to him with a cold, blank expression. While his face morphs into relief when his eyes meet mine.
He doesn’t get to feelrelieved.
“JETTSON! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!” I yell the question, my voice strained with every ounce of my pain.
My name forms on his lips, but I silence it with a sharp slap across his face. The sound of the sting rings through the chaos of the noises already in the air.
I chosehim. I wanted a life withhim. And what does he do? Put us in this situation. Because of whatever choice Jett made, Maverick lost his life to save mine.
FUCK. HIM.
Chapter seventy-one
Jett
December 2025
My ears hum as the sting of the slap registers, and I take a step backward. It hurts in more ways than I can fathom.
But seeing she’s okay, all I can manage to say is, “Beauty, I’m so glad you’re okay. Please, can we—”
“You’re glad I’m okay!?” she asks furiously, laughing without any trace of humor. “Maverick just died to save me, Jett. We were held at gunpoint. I am far from okay. They were going to kill me.”
My eyes widen in confused disbelief. “What? Maverick, what?” Chest tightening, the words hover around me like an aftershock.
A sob from Izzy cuts through, and she takes a moment to breathe and wipe the tears away from her eyes.
I attempt to pull her into my embrace, but she shoves angrily at my chest and pushes me back, staring me down with a look of pure disgust.
“What. Did. You. Do?” she asks slowly, emphasizing each of her words.
“Can we talk?” I hesitate, looking around at all the police officers eyeing us with interest.Fuck. “Privately? Please, Iz. Let me explain.”
“Oh, the only fucking words out of your mouth better be an explanation,” she snaps, just as sharp as her slap. She turns on her heel and storms off down the nearby alleyway, with me quickly following behind.
Stopping midway down the alley, she spins to face me, and I can’t help but notice the way her hair flies and falls perfectly, framing her face.She’s safe.It hasn’t even fully registered for me that Maverick died. My mind is stuck in overdrive, and I just need to get this truth out in the open. It’s all I can focus on.
She’s safe,I remind myself.She’s here, standing before me.
The rage seeping off of her is palpable and all aimed at me like she’s the firing squad and I’m the target.
