Page 48 of Maverick
Mav nodded, taking a step back. “Got it.”
“No, Mav, I…”
He held up a hand to stop me. “It’s fine, Kat. It’s time for you to go back home. We’ll make sure everything is cleaned up so the nurse can start tomorrow.”
I brushed a tear from my cheek. This wasn’t how I wanted to leave things, not after we’d shared so much. But I couldn’t deny the relief I felt at returning to my much simpler life in Maryland where I was capable of handling all my problems on my own.
“Bye,” I whispered, but I don’t think he heard me. He was already at the front door, returning to the chaos.
28
Kat
You’re doing the right thing. You’re doing the right thing. You’re doing the right thing.
I would repeat the phrase for the entire four-hour journey if that’s what it took to keep me from turning around. This was what was best for everyone. Dad would have in home care and a found family that loved him. And I had… a BMW and a suitcase full of shoes.
My gas gauge was just under half-full. I could probably make it, but there could be traffic, detours, any sort of thing along the way. Best to fill up while I had the chance. I pulled off at Ray’s Shore ’Nuff and started the pump. After a few seconds of debate, I went inside to get a bottle of water and an extra large order of potato wedges. I’d never thought much about gas station potato wedges before this trip, but Dad got me addicted. I couldn’t leave without getting one last fix, and luckily, I made it just before the fryer shut down for the day.
As I made my way back to my car, I noticed Dad’s friend Ivan walking toward me. He was a stark contrast from the last time I’d seen him. His hair was disheveled. The suit jacket was gone, and his shirt and pants were wrinkled. He must have had a rough day and needed some comfort wedges. He was too late, but maybe I could offer him some of mine.
“Hey, Ivan!” I waved. I would miss all the extra friendliness. Back home, if I saw someone I knew at the gas station, I’d have walked to my car faster and hoped they didn’t see me.
“I thought I recognized that car. What a serendipitous meeting.”
That sounded… odd. But having expended my cheerfulness quota with the wave, I just nodded and shoved a potato wedge in my mouth.
“I was about to head over and visit your dad and his friends at the MC. But since you’re here, maybe I won’t have to.”
I took a sip of water and swallowed the potato down. Should have stuck to my usual fast getaway. “Not sure I’ll be of much help. I’m actually on my way out of town, back to Maryland. My old job needs me.”
Ivan crossed his arms. “Such a good little employee. They must be so happy to have you.”
I shrugged and tucked my cup of wedges into my arm so I could fish out my key fob with the panic alarm. Something was off with Ivan.
“I had an employee like that. Maybe you knew him? His name was Viktor.”
I shook my head. “No, sorry. And it was nice seeing you, but I’ve really got to get on the road.”
“Are you sure,Katie?” His eyes gleamed manic. “I sent him to your dad’s last night, but he never came back. Figured you two must have kept him for tea.”
I gasped.Holy fuck.Was Viktor the guy Dad shot? And he worked for Ivan? That didn’t make any sense. Mav said the guy was bad news. Had he come to grab Ivan’s vegetable order? Or was something else going on?
“Not ringing a bell, sorry.” I fumbled with the key fob and accidentally opened the trunk instead. “Shit!”
“What’s the problem? What’s got you so nervous?” He moved so fast I barely registered the gun jammed into my stomach until it was too late.
“You see,” he hissed, “I think you did know Viktor, and I think your biker boyfriend killed him. So maybe now I’ll kill you. A life for a life.”
“I… uh…” I shook my head frantically. “He’s not my boyfriend.” I pointed to the suitcases. “I really am leaving. How about you just back away, and I’ll get on the road to Maryland, and we’ll both forget this whole thing ever happened.”
“I don’t think so.” He ripped the water bottle from my hand. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of God knows what. Several spilled onto the asphalt as he shoved the rest of the pills into the bottle.
“Drink up.”
I shook my head.Oh hell no.“Ivan. Look, I’m not sure what’s going on here, but—”
“Or,” he interrupted loudly, “I can pull this trigger and kill you right here in this parking lot. Then I’ll head to your dad’s and kill him while he sleeps. Once that’s done, I’ll take my long scope and wait in the woods to take out those MC thugs one by one until they’re all gone.”
