Lily
MAVERICK ARRIVED EARLY and all was right with my world again. I clocked out and walked into his arms, squeezing him tight as he held . "You okay?"
"I am now," I breathed out.
He kissed gently then he took ho.
"A couple of things are changing, Lil," Maverick said as we walked into the apartnt.
"Like?"
"You’ve got Flea and Train on you, plus a recruit watching the exterior."
I sighed. "I’m okay with that."
He ran his thumb along my lower lip. "Thanks for not making this a thing."
"Thanks for keeping blind to all of this." I wrapped my arms around his waist and dropped my head to his chest, bursting into tears. "I knew it was bad, but it didn’t really hit just how bad until today."
He stroked my neck. "I got you."
I burrowed deeper against him.
A pounding on the door had us breaking apart, and Maverick pulled open the door.
"What the fuck is this about Jenny attacking you at work, and why the fuck am I just hearing about it now?" Dad bellowed.
"Calm the hell down, Hawk." Maverick stepped between us.
"I’m not gonna calm the fuck down until I get so answers!"
I stepped out from behind Maverick and approached my father. "Dad, I’m fine. Flea was on it. She’s obviously moved her efforts to stalking level, but I’m okay."
Before he could comnt, Ace, Cassidy, and Mom rushed into the apartnt.
Ace placed his hands on my shoulders and frowned. "Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"
At that mont, I realized Ace totally had my back. He loved as if I was his, and he was genuinely concerned about his grandchild and . "We’re fine, Ace."
"Where was Flea?" Ace asked, his voice gentle.
"He was there." I dropped my eyes to the floor. "I didn’t text him that I was running to the cafeteria. It’s my fault Jenny—"
"Why the fuck didn’t you text Flea, Lily?" Dad snapped.
"You need to change your tone, Hawk, or you and I are gonna have a problem," Maverick ground out, stepping in front of again.
"Can we all just take a beat?" Mom asked, wrapping her hands around Dad’s arm. "She’s safe, the baby’s safe." She settled her palm over his heart. "She’s okay, honey."
Dad focused on Mom and finally relaxed, and I found myself relaxing as well, dropping my head to Maverick’s shoulder. It’s not that I ever thought Dad would hurt , but he was still intimidating. And when his voice dipped low, I reverted to the little girl, knowing I was in trouble for sothing.
Maverick took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Hawk, we can talk about this away from Lily. This doesn’t touch her."
"Flea’s upstairs," Ace said. "Let’s go debrief and let Cass and Payton fuss over Lily."
Maverick faced , leaning down to kiss gently. "You okay?" he whispered.
"I’m good, Möosh." I smiled. "Go solve the world’s problems."
"I’ll start with Lily’s problems, yeah?"
I chuckled. "Probably smart."
He kissed again and then headed upstairs with our dads. As soon as the door closed behind them, I burst into tears.
Mom wrapped her arms around and rubbed my back. "Scary day, huh?"
I nodded, and Cassidy took my hand and squeezed.
My "moms" led to the sofa, and we sat down almost as one unit. Mom handed so tissues and let pull myself together before peppering with questions.
I rubbed my arm and took a few deep breaths.
"What’s wrong with your arm?" Mom asked.
"Nothing."
"Lil," she pressed.
I pulled up my sleeve, and Mom let out a series of curses. A nasty looking bruise in the shape of fingers was beginning to form.
"Did that whore do that to you?" Mom demanded.
I nodded.
"Cunt!" Mom stood and made her way to the freezer, grabbing a bag of peas.
"Mom!" I was so surprised to hear that out of her mouth, I couldn’t quite gather my thoughts.
"She is one," Cassidy said.
"Despite the fact you’ve always said that was the one word off-limits to any of us," I reminded her, "You can’t call her a cunt, because there’s nothing warm nor deep about her."
"You may have a point." Mom settled the peas on my bruise.
"An, sister," Cassidy said.
"I think you should get your carry permit," Mom said.
"I can’t have a gun at the hospital, Mom," I argued.
"You could if you have your concealed carry permit," she countered.
"Um, I don’t think I could." I took her hand. "I don’t need a gun, Mama. I have Flea and Train and whichever recruit Maverick and Dad put on . I’ll just make sure one of them is with , even in the hospital."
"I hate this," Cassidy admitted. "Everything can change in a second."
A lunatic who Cassidy worked with had taken her hostage, so this was probably all very close to ho for her. Her ordeal had happened at her place of business, and it had taken several hours for Ace and the Club (along with Jaxon, Ace’s FBI brother) to get her out. Unfortunately, she’d been shot in the process, and it had been touch and go for a while.
"I promise I’ll be more careful," I said. "Mav’s got ."
"I know." Cassidy smiled. "I’m just glad you’re not as independent as your mom and I were. Holy shit, we put those n through hell."
Mom scoffed. "Speak for yourself."
"You beat the shit out of so Russian guy in the middle of a store while he held Lily," Cassidy reminded her.
"He had it coming."
I giggled, finally feeling so of the stress leave my body. "Thanks, Moms."
Cassidy pulled in for a gentle hug. "I’m so glad you’re mine now."
"I think I always was yours," I pointed out.
"She’s right, Cass," Mom said. "Maverick wasn’t the only one who fell in love with her."
Cassidy grinned. "This is true."
Maverick walked in just as Mom started to say sothing else, and I slid the peas to her and rolled my sleeve down, hoping the back of the couch would hide my efforts.
"We’re gonna let you guys talk," Mom said and rose to her feet. Cassidy followed.
Mom took the peas with her, and Maverick closed and locked the door before joining on the sofa.
"What are you hiding?" he asked, sitting beside .
I almost said "nothing," but I knew it would be wasted breath, so I sighed and rolled my sleeve up again.
Maverick scowled. "That fucking bitch."
"It’ll heal."
"I have never wanted to hit a woman before, but she might be my first."
I smiled. "I give you permission."
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