Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (classic books to read TXT) 📗

tightly. “We will,” he repeats. He lets me go and I take his hand, wanting him to be with me.

Bell is talking to Anna in soft tones. “Ready to go home?” I ask her.

She looks at me, saddened, but nods. I know this is probably hard on her. I know her childhood was bad also, but it can’t be easy finding out you have a sister you never even knew about.

I grab one of the spare booster seats one of the guys left here for Anna. I help Bell buckle her and Ronny in, then I start the truck, shutting the door so I can speak to her.

“What is going on?” she asks, half panicked.

I hesitate to even tell her, because I know that shit will hurt her. Her eyes narrow on me. “Please tell me, Maverick. I know it’s going to be bad. I’m ready.”

I rub my face hard, letting out a deep breath. “Darlin’, when I got there, Michael showed up with her and a few other people. The payment for you was her.” Her gasp pierces me. “Your parents gave her to Michael to settle their debts.”

“That poor baby,” she whispers over and over.

“Look at me,” I demand.

She looks at me. “You will not feel an ounce of guilt for this. This shit is all on them. Not you. You didn’t do this. They did and they will pay. Michael is done for, he is good as dead.”

“Good,” she says in a tone I have never heard from her before. “We’re keeping her, right?” I can tell she’s unsure.

“Of course we are, baby. I knew it the second I saw her.”

She smiles. I can see the relief on her face. “But after we get them settled, let’s take a visit to my parents, shall we?”

With that she climbs up in the truck. God, I love her and her fucking temper.

* * *

The drive to the house is a silent one. Ronny’s eyes don’t leave Anna and she has fallen asleep holding his hand.

Bell is deep in her thoughts. I reach over and take her hand in mine, kissing the back of it. I don’t want her too deep in her thoughts.

If it’s the last thing I do, she will not blame herself for this.

I open the gate and drive inside, making sure to watch the gate to make sure it shuts before I make my way to my house.

I open my phone and press the button to arm the gate, just as a precaution. Something doesn’t feel right.

Bell

One thing I never expected when Maverick came through that door was a mini me. She looks exactly like me.

But I knew. I knew she was my sister.

I look back into the back seat, where she’s fast asleep with her head against the window.

I can’t imagine how scared and terrified she has been. I smile at my beautiful boy, my heart warming at the sight of him holding her hand.

“I love you,” I mouth to him, my heart full and hurting at the same time.

“I love you, Mom,” he whispers back, which is not much of a whisper but he tried, but my mind is immediately stuck on the word.

Mom

His eyes widen like he’s scared that he called me that. “No, it’s okay, if you want to call me ‘mom’ that would make me so happy. I’m sure Maverick will feel the same way if that’s your choice.”

He grins at me and looks over at Maverick. “Can I really?”

This kid still rips out my heart. “Yes, baby, it would make me so happy.”

I look over at Maverick, who is grinning ear to ear. “Me too, son,” Maverick pipes in and Ronny leans back into the seat, happy.

“Okay.”

I just want to pick him up and squeeze him right now. I step out of the truck, much to Maverick’s annoyance.

I slowly open the back door, making sure Anna doesn’t fall out. “Hey sweetheart,” I whisper softly so she doesn’t get scared awake.

That is one thing I struggle with so bad. If I’m scared awake, I literally get so sick to my stomach from the sudden fear.

Her eyes drift open, looking at me. “Bell?” she asks, confused, before looking around to Maverick and Ronny.

“Can I help you out of the truck, honey?” I lift my arms out for her, she scoots forward and I lift her out, setting her on the ground.

“This is where I will live?” she asks in her angelic voice.

Ronny steps up to her and takes her free hand. “I live here. I love it here.” Ronny tries to make her feel more comfortable.

I know I feel a hundred feet tall that he feels so happy here, loved here. Maverick gives me a look, telling me that he feels exactly the same way.

We did that shit.

Maverick unlocks the door and turns on the light. “Can I help her pick out her room?” Ronny asks, excited.

Maverick nods and he takes off, holding Anna’s hand, pulling her behind him. She giggles and tries her best to keep up.

I lean against the wall, rubbing my temples. “Once they get to bed, I’m running you a hot bath. You are too stressed.” Maverick massages my shoulders and arms.

“I think I’m just trying to come to terms with the fact that I have a sister. We’re going to be raising a little girl. Are you okay with that?” I need to make sure that he’s on board with this.

He stops his massaging. “Darlin’, I want nothing more than to have all of the kids with you. We can adopt five more and I will be fucking thrilled,” he reassures me.

What he doesn’t know is, I think I might be pregnant.

I’ve been feeling sick, I haven’t had a regular period ever, so skipping a month or so was completely normal for me.

Tonight once he leaves to go do club things, I’ll take a test. “Let’s go see what these kids are up to.”

They’re in the room next door to Ronny’s. “She chose this