Ride Rough (Raven Riders 2)

He gave her a look. “I’m talking about a gift, Al. I don’t want your money. Or your mother’s. Once we get it cleaned and fixed up, she could stay there as long as she wants. Creed always liked Tyler. I think he’d like this.”

The man’s generosity pierced more holes into her numbness. “Okay, well. Wow. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you isn’t enough.”

“Yeah it is.” He winked. Nodding, her thoughts raced. That potentially alleviated one big problem, assuming the work could be done within the next week, and assuming that Alexa could get her mother and all her crap out of Grant’s house within that time frame.

Maverick turned to Phoenix and offered his hand. “I know what this means. Thank you. We owe you. Anything, anytime. Just name it.” The men clasped hands for a long moment.

We owe you. We. Such a small word. Such a huge meaning. It shattered what was left of Alexa’s numbness. Worry, fear, panic all came rushing in, but so, too, did courage, resolve, and—for the first time in a long time—the steadfast knowledge that she wasn’t alone. We. She and Maverick. Whatever they were, he was in her corner. All of these guys were. After years of feeling so alone, that meant everything. She pressed a hand to her chest and nodded, emotion overwhelming her.

Maverick faced her again, his big hands going to her shoulders. And it was like his touch grounded her, shielded her, pulled all the disparate pieces of her together so she could stand strong. “The rest we’ll figure out. I promise. But until then, no going out on your own anywhere. If you feel like you need to stick it out at work, I understand. But we keep with me dropping you off and picking you up.” On their surface, his words seemed calm, but the agitation was clear in the tight clench of his jaw and the hot flash of his eyes.

“Knowing Slater, this will escalate before it gets resolved,” Dare said matter-of-factly. In her heart, Alexa knew that was right. But what would that escalation mean? She couldn’t stand the idea of anyone getting hurt because of all the mistakes she’d made.

Which meant she had to act. She had to do whatever she could to protect herself and her friends. “I need to get a lawyer first thing Monday morning. And maybe I should talk to Sheriff Martin this weekend, just to see what he thinks?” Alexa didn’t know Henry Martin well, but she’d heard Grant grouse about a divide within Frederick’s local police over the Ravens—and that Henry tended to fall on their side and even protect them. The details of those internal politics were a mystery to her, but certainly an enemy of Grant’s could be a friend to her.

“Good. That’s good,” Maverick said, a gleam of pride in his gaze. “Touching base with Martin makes sense. Get you protected legally, too. Because this fucker’s not going to get away with what he’s trying to do. Just you wait.”

No, he wasn’t. At least, not without a fight.

Problem was, she feared into her very soul that she was going to have to pay in some way before everything was said and done. The only question was how great that cost would be.

CHAPTER 20

As it got later, more Ravens arrived at the clubhouse. Bunny and Haven laid out the fixings for beef tacos, and everyone dove into building a plate. Afterward, the atmosphere clearly veered in the direction of partying. Truth be told, Maverick had some adrenaline and not a little anger burning through his blood that could use being worked out. But then he found Alexa sitting at the kitchen table talking to Bunny and Haven, her knees drawn up to her chest. And even though she put on a smile for him, it was clear that she wasn’t in the partying mood.

“Why don’t I take you home?” Maverick asked, something deep inside him needing to not just protect her, but take care of her, comfort her. However she needed, whatever she needed.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“What do you want to do?” he asked, crouching beside her. He was aware that his mom and Haven were listening in, but didn’t mind, didn’t care. There was no shame in wanting to take care of what was his—even if she was only that in his stubborn fucking heart.

“I’ll do whatever you want,” she said. Her hand fell on his where it rested on her knee, and the touch shot heat through his blood.

He arched an eyebrow. “I want to know what you want.”

She met his gaze for a long moment, then gave a little shrug. “I don’t want to pull you away.”

“I can give you a ride, hon,” Bunny said.

Maverick shook his head. “Thanks, Bunny, but I got this. You want to go, Al, I want to take you.”