Page 80 of August 20

Dania had already left to meet Mariah at the pool for recreational swim. Hopefully, no customers would come by and find the place closed early.

She flipped the closed sign and locked the front door. Pushing out the shop's front door, she broke into a run. Maverick and Skye should've arrived a half hour ago. She was probably worried about nothing, but she had the worst feeling something was wrong.

Maverick had always brought Skye to the coffee shop. He was never late.

Her niece enjoyed the quiet time, sipping her hot chocolate and having a snack while she worked on homework until Brooke was able to leave work. It was their special time.

"Please be at the clubhouse," she murmured.

As she reached the door of Havlin Motorcycle Parts, her thighs screamed from the exertion, and her lungs burned. She rushed inside, finding Brett behind the counter. Knowing he was a prospect, she searched for one of the members and found the place empty.

"Brooke." Brett rounded the counter. "You're here."

"Please tell me Maverick is here." She grabbed Brett's arm. "Please."

Unshed tears burned her eyes. The sinking feeling that she'd missed something in the days leading up to today left her inconsolable. Somehow, she failed.

She'd learned to trust Maverick. He was Skye's dad.

Dads weren't supposed to hurt their little girls.

Her knees buckled, and she hung from Brett's arm. The prospect grabbed her, guiding her to the counter. She gasped for breath. A full-blown panic seeped in.

She loved him. Day after day, she'd fallen more and more in love with Maverick. He promised her a family.

And now he'd taken her family. He'd taken Skye from her.

"Oh, fuck. Don't faint." Brett pounded the counter, startling her. "I'm calling now."

He was supposed to be here. Guys were like that. They got around other guys and lost track of time. Skye liked the momma cat. She's probably following it around the pool table. All she had to do was walk into the clubhouse and find them both.

They'd be surprised to see her. Time had gotten away from Maverick. That's all.

Dizziness hit her. She pressed her hand to her stomach, afraid she was going to throw up.

"Yeah, she's here." Brett's voice rose. "Yeah. Yeah."

She closed her eyes. In a split second, her world crumbled.

"Brooke. Take the phone. Listen." Brett put the cell in her hand.

She raised the cell to her ear. Despite her heart breaking, the rapid heartbeat inside her body deafened her. She handed the phone back to Brett, shaking her head. There was nobody there.

"Yo." Brett put the phone to his ear. "Are you there? Hey? Hello?"

Her back bowed, and she buried her face in her hands. Brett left the counter. Alone with her pain, the sobs she'd held in boiled to the surface, leaving her panting for breath.

Why would he take Skye from her?

Why would he leave her?

She should've told him how much she'd fallen in love with him. Maybe if he knew, he wouldn't have taken Skye.

Filled with regrets, she hugged herself as the hurt grew.

She had custody of Skye. Legal custody.

But Maverick was her father.