Page 25 of Maverick
I shrugged. “I guess I do. But she needs to be safe, look after her boy, and not get deep with me. I can’t offer her what she needs.”
“And what’s that?”
“Security.”
“Dane Hart. You are a good guy. Just because we didn't work out, doesn’t mean shit. Have you talked to her about this? Doesshe know you’re just going to ship her away without so much as a goodbye? What if she’s okay with club life? You deserve to be happy too, Dane.”
“Mari…”
She sighed, cutting off my weak excuses. I didn’t want to leave Tavi. Especially not after the morning in the kitchen, but I couldn’t protect her. I could never protect her, or her son. All I could do was take care of the problem that was her husband. I couldn’t protect her in a way she needed, especially not from my lifestyle.
And we already knew I wasn’t giving up the club.
Whatever that made me. Weak. Coward. Whatever…I’d cop that, because I'd given up everything I cared about before. I could do it again.
“Bring her over. I can look after them for a few weeks if need be. But I want you to really think about this. Think about her and what she could mean for you, and your happiness.”
I got out of the car before she could talk me into proposing to the damn woman now residing in my brain 24/7. I was glad for Mari, she was my best friend, but she knew why I chose this life. She knew I never wanted to hurt someone with this lifestyle.
Yet, I could see Tavi in my life, being my ol’ lady, while I taught Van how to ride a bike. It was a dream I’d had with my own kids too until they grew up and ended up hating me. I still had to fix that, but first, I needed Tavi and Van safe, while I figured out what the fuck was going on with Trey and the Prez.
My phone went off in my pocket once I got back to my bike. Looking down, I saw the call for Church. I’d already missed so many of them, I couldn’t possibly do it again. Even though I’d promised Tavi I would be right back.
Club had to come first.
Maybe it would be better this way. She’d be mad, and want to be away from me. Easy.
And yet, my brain was already telling me I was in denial, while my heart beat erratically in my chest, making me feel like this was all wrong.
Jumping on my bike, I took off toward the clubhouse to see what was up, while my brain and heart bled for the loss of what could have been with Tavi.
She’s more, my brain chimed in.She’s it.
Fuck.
Tavi
Maverick returned just before dinner, but Van had already gone down for a nap. I didn’t see any need to keep him awake. If I could have dinner with Maverick, maybe we could have dessert behind the bedroom doors.
He didn’t look over at me with lovey dovey eyes like he had when he left hours ago. Instead, I saw pure, unadulterated rage.
Fuck.
“Maverick…”
“Were you ever going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?” I asked, edging behind the couch, in case this was one of those times when Hardy would lose his shit and take it out on my body. I didn’t think Maverick was like that, but you could never tell, right?
“What’s your name,Tavi?”
“Tavi Bainbridge.”
“Try again.”
Cold dread slid down my spine. He knew. Somehow, he knew.
“Octavia Charman,” I said, my voice all but a croak.
