Page 66 of Micah
“That was taken a few years after we opened the garage.” Ransom’s smiling at the picture as he hangs up, his eyes a million miles away.
“You all look so young.”
“We were,” he says with a low chuckle. “I was twenty-one. Most of the guys were still officially living at the group home.”
“Micah told me a little about how you guys started. Did you always plan on getting into the car business?”
His grin is sharp. “No. But I saw an opportunity and took it.” He shrugs, “It turned out ok.”
I laugh. “I guess it did.”
He stands, moving to sit next to me, easily sliding my chair sideways so we’re facing each other. He studies me carefully.“What can I do for you Holly?”
I swallow the moisture pooling in my mouth. Flattening my hands in my lap so I don’t betray my nervousness by twisting them, I blurt, “Do you think I’ll be able to divorce Brent?”
His mouth firms but a knock on the door stops him from answering. “Mav, come in.” He says, not looking away from me.
I turn to smile nervously at Maverick. I haven’t spent much time with him. He always seems heavy, somehow, like the weight of the world is solely on his shoulders. He rarely smiles, though when he does, it’s stunning.
He sends one of those stunning smiles my way as he pulls Ransom’s chair out from behind the desk to join us.
Ransom clears his throat. “I invited Mav here this morning because I thought having his legal perspective would be helpful.” He turns to Mav. “She’s wondering about divorcing Brent.”
Maverick nods, eyes cool. “What steps have you taken so far, Holly?”
Did he know I was going to ask him about the divorce? Why else would we need a legal perspective when we meet? “Well, I went down to legal aid. They helped me draw up papers. But, uh, Brent wouldn’t sign them.”
Maverick tenses, his jaw tightening. “You went to the prison? By yourself?”
“Yes,” I admit, lengthening my spine and squaring my shoulders. “I was trying to finally take control. But it didn’t work out that way.”
“That could have been dangerous! You shouldn’t—“
“Mav,” Ransom interrupts calmly. “I arranged it. She was safe.”
Maverick’s shoulders drop. He blows out a breath. “What exactly did he say?”
No way I’m telling them what he actually said. I know it’s not supposed to be a reflection on me, but having someone call you a cum bucket isn’t really something I want to share. “Basically, that he would never let me go. That I was his, and he’s never going to sign.”
“That’s not his choice to make.” Ransom’s words send a chill down my spine, and I’m thankful again that his ice isn’t directed at me.
“I don’t understand.” I say, glancing between the two of them.
“It means that you’re entitled to your freedom, whether he wants to sign or not.” Maverick smiles, the way a shark would smile at his soon to be dinner. “He’s too stupid to realize he can’t do anything to keep you.”
“So…I can get a divorce?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes, you can. You have a few options, actually.”
My smile is wobbly, but comes easier than it did when I walked in here. Maybe it’s not as hopeless as I thought. “If you have time, I would very much like to hear them.”
“I cleared our schedules for the morning, sweetheart,” Ransom murmurs. “We have as much time as you need.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “Why?” I ask, my throat tight. “Why are you so ready to help me? I’m just an employee—“
“You’re notjustanything Holly.” Maverick says sharply.
“He’s right. We would still help you if you were just an employee. But that’s not why you’re sitting here with us. You’re here because my brother’s happiness depends on you. That means we’ll do anything we need to do to make sure you’re safe and happy.”
