Page 82 of August 20

Maverick's hand covered all of Skye's back. Brooke blew out her breath, trying to calm down. She wanted to fault the school and the bus driver, but knowing that she'd sent a note permitting Skye to ride the bus to the pool on Mondays and Wednesdays, she tried to remember if she specified that it wouldn't start until next week. Maybe she'd made a mistake.

That wasn't excusing Skye's part in going. She knew today her dad would be picking her up.

One of the police officers stepped forward. "If we could see some identification, we'll let you take your daughter home."

Brooke never corrected the wrong assumption on how they were related but went inside the parts shop and retrieved the purse she'd dropped when Maverick returned.

Ten minutes later, after a fast explanation of how Havlin Motorcycle Club members had rallied and spread throughout the town, Skye was ultimately found when Bane contacted Daisy to keep watch for her. Amazed at how the club had supported Maverick, her, and Skye, she turned to him and found her niece asleep on his shoulder.

By the look on Maverick's face, he wasn't ready to let go of his daughter. Tonight had taken years off their lives.

Right now, she only wanted to get her family home and lock the door. It was safe there. Just Maverick, Skye, and herself.

Chapter Forty

Maverick moved to the other side of the shower, letting Brooke under the stream. Her hand held his cock, never letting go, even when she'd washed her hair with her free hand. He wrapped his fingers around her grip, showing her the way to stroke him harder.

Water ran off her breasts. He caught her hardened nipple between his thumb and finger, rolling the tight bud. His body was already overheated from the water, but Brooke liked when steam filled the bathroom and water practically scalded her skin, turning it a nice shade of red.

He turned her and brought her back against him. Putting his arms around her, he cupped her breasts. She laid her head back on his chest and sighed, relaxing even more.

Tonight had been hell.

Thinking he lost Brooke and Skye put him in a dark place. A place he never wanted to visit again.

There wasn't much in his life he couldn't do. He faced death and punishment daily. But he couldn't live without them. He hated the moments that reminded him of all that he could lose. The reality scared the fuck out of him.

Brooke reached behind her and put her hands on his thighs, keeping his cock pressed between their bodies.

He trailed his hand down her stomach and slid his hand between her legs, finding her clit?

She moaned softly. A sound he would never get tired of hearing.

He put his lips against her ear. "Love you."

She turned in his arms and grabbed his face. Her gaze studied him, and then she kissed him deeply.

He'd only got a taste of her tongue when she pulled back. He smoothed the wet hair off her forehead.

"I love you, too." She peppered him with kisses. "I've wanted to tell you, and tonight...God, Maverick. When you hadn't shown up, and you weren't at the clubhouse, I thought you'd left—"

He kissed her, shushing her.

His voice was spent. There was nothing left in him. He'd talked more tonight than in the last four years, trying to inform everyone about Skye. Because of the strained muscles spasming, any sound came out hoarse and broken.

"Same," he mouthed.

Fuck. Thinking about what it was like made him sick. He wasn't going to let anything like that happen again—even if he had to take Skye everywhere and never let her out of his sight.

"I can't lose you." She wound her arms around him and tilted her head back to look at him. "Promise me, you'll never leave me."

He put his hand on his chest and kissed her.

She pulled away again. "I'm serious. Don't leave me."

His heart thrummed. He would never leave her.

"Even if you have to kidnap me and lock me in the house." She stared into his eyes. "Do it."