“You think that I’m hateful?” Maverik asked with a smirk. He pushed off the wall where he had been leaning and approached her, his threat unspoken but still heavy in the air.
Nina lifted her chin, but her voice shook. “If you touch me, I’ll tell your father.”
“Touch you?” Maverik mocked. “Kingston, would I ever touch her?”
Kingston laughed. “Not with a ten-foot pole.”
“Kash?” Maverik asked next.
“Hell, no,” Kash answered as he crossed his arms across his chest.
I stood back and watched the three of them surround her like a pack of lions cornering their next meal. Their movements were too smooth and practiced for this to be their first group confrontation. Abby and the others had warned me that these guys were dangerous, but this was the first time I was really seeing them in action. They weren’t spoiled playboys - they were fighters, and I was finally seeing their true nature. I wondered how much of the rumors were true – what had these guys been involved in?
“I’m leaving,” Nina said in an attempt to salvage some of her dignity. She turned back to me as if she wanted to get one last dig in. The guys had put her down, and now she wanted someone to lash out at.
I raised my chin, letting her know that I wouldn’t lie down and take it. If she wanted to start something with me, I’d fight. She ruined my life by bringing me here, constantly tried to belittle me, and set me up to be used by Sergei. Her threats now seemed pale compared to whatever Sergei had planned for me.
“I wouldn’t,” Maverik told Nina softly.
Nina flushed, but swept out of the room without another word to me.
Maverik gave me a look that said: see, this is why I wanted to send you away.
I looked at him irritably, because I didn’t like him stepping in between us. I wanted to handle Nina myself.
“That was fun,” Kingston said brightly. “I’m going to miss you, Kitty Kat.”
Maverik grunted something that might have been an agreement, but it might have also been an objection.
Kingston ignored him and swept me up in another hug. “Be good,” he murmured to me. “And don’t miss us too much while we’re gone.”
“Okay,” I said awkwardly as I patted his back. “I won’t.”
Kingston pulled away and made a face at me.
“What?” I asked innocently. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Maverik stepped to my side and took my arm. “I’ll walk you out.”
Kingston shouted more goodbyes at me while Kash gave me a sarcastic wave. Maverik shut the door behind us and walked me to the car that was idling in the driveway.
“Just because I won’t be here over the summer, doesn’t mean I won’t be watching,” he said cryptically.
“Um, that’s…stalkerish,” I lamely countered.
Maverik leaned in closer to me and I froze. He brushed a lock of hair out of my face and his eyes lingered on my lips. My heart raced when I saw the heat in his eyes. Electricity crackled between us and I couldn’t resist reaching out to touch his strong jaw. His stubble scratched me as I lightly ran my hand along his jaw and then to the back of his neck.
Maverik pulled me in close, but when he leaned down, it was to run his lips up my neck, to a sensitive spot right below my ear. My heart beat faster and I sucked in a desperate breath of air.
“Nothing is easy with you,” Maverik murmured.
He tangled both of his hands in my hair and touched his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and almost trembled with how much I craved his touch. He pulled back so that he could meet my eyes and the intensity both thrilled and challenged me.
I eased my mouth closer to him, but instead of brushing my lips against his, I bit his lower lip. Maverik pulled away and laughed, his eyes sparkling.
“I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did,” I replied, hoping I sounded more confident than breathy.
Maverik inched closer as if he was going to try again, but then abruptly pulled away. “See you soon.”
The asshole actually winked at me before walking away.
I huffed and didn’t bother to reply to him. I just stood there, feeling like an idiot as he walked away from me. Maverik Wilder was just as confusing as he was gorgeous.
“Miss Katya,” Mr. Ferguson said politely. “Are you ready to go?”
I gave Maverik’s back once last glance before I turned to him. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
Mr. Ferguson gave me an encouraging smile. “Bedford Academy is an excellent school, and I’m sure your friend, Abby, is waiting for you.”
I brightened up. “Yes, I’m sure she is.”
I looked back at the mansion, but Maverik had already disappeared inside. I slid into the car as Mr. Ferguson held the door open for me and I starting texting Abby. Maybe the summer wouldn’t be so bad if I had her smiling face there with me. I gnawed on my lower lip – Sergei had agreed to give me more time, but only until September. If I couldn’t do what he asked, this might be my very last summer. If Sergei didn’t kill me, Maverik certainly would when he found out the truth.
Chapter 41
Maverik
The schedule of our summer hockey program didn’t leave much free time. Our days were packed from morning until night, but I was willing to sacrifice some sleep if it helped me keep my family safe.
I tapped on my desk as I waited for Henry to pick up. He was one of the few people in the loop
