MAVERICK“Just one more shot, Mave. That’s all I need.” Cooper was running out of patience.We’d been shooting for the last piece of the collection for hours, and he seemed to be unable to get the perfect angle or image he wanted from me.“My facial muscles are cramping. What is it that you want?” I pouted.He blew a breath, his hands on his hips as he shook his head. “Your head is not in the game. And this is how artists and models lost their job. You need to focus and always keep your head, heart, and body presence. Professional photographers don’t have time for your drama. Get your head in the game, Maverick.”I stretched my arms and legs, went to pick up the brush, and retouched my nose. “What exactly are you looking for?”“I want a happy face, a real happy face with eyes shining, a perfect smile like you’re in love and facing the love of your life because this piece is beautiful on you.”I sat back on the chair and drew a deep breath. “I think I’m in love with Lake.”Cooper never
LAKEAs soon as Terzo agreed to meet me, and he was clearly in town for some business, I let Rusher meet with my supposed business meeting.We arrived at the address, a warehouse downtown. Owen and the other men from Osmium checked the area before they allowed me to get inside the warehouse full of boxes and crates. I didn’t know if these products were even legal, and I preferred not to get involved by knowing any information.“The best place to do your dirty deeds.”Terzo gave the guy the papers in his hand. “Deliver it today. I don’t want any delays, Jose.”“Yes, boss.” Jose, in his late forties, left, ordering other men to load boxes into the delivery truck.“Dirty deeds? This is legal, Winston. The wine just arrived from Italy yesterday from a family-owned vineyard. The rest are cheese and organic olive oils. I’ll give some to your wife.” He stole a glance at at least five men outside while Owen was standing behind me. “Do you have to bring men with you?”“I don’t know you, and I
MAVERICKI felt like I gave my trust to people too quickly.I just realized that Terzo had a lot of skeletons in his closet, and he couldn’t share them with me. And it was a red flag.We couldn’t be friends, and the way he reacted earlier was darker and scarier, and I had this feeling that he knew me better than he let on.“Mrs. Winston.” Owen startled me as I walked away from the restaurant.I stopped to a halt, staring at Owen. “That was fast.”The door to the backseat opened. Before I could get in, someone just called my name.I turned around, but Owen was blocking my view.“Maverick,” Terzo called my name again. “You left your bag.” He followed with my bag in his hand.“Oh. Thanks.” I took it from him.“I’m sorry our dinner didn’t go well. I hope I did not ruin your night. I’m still up for a second dinner if you give me a second chance, and I’m willing to tell you my story.”“Yeah. Raincheck for the second dinner?”He nodded. “Of course. Good night, Maverick.”I watched him walk a
LAKE“Before your mind went somewhere else, the answer is no. Terzo did not steal or sleep with my girlfriend.”I put her in the tub with generous milk products and rose and lavender oils. I also brought a glass of wine so she could relax, but as I expected, she grilled me with many questions I couldn’t answer.“Figures.”“I just met him days ago, Maverick. I don’t know him personally other than what I already told you. Why are you interested in this guy?”She arched a brow at me. “Don’t give me that look. I don’t have feelings for him. I feel like we have a deeper connection—”I groaned in annoyance because I had a pretty good idea it was the same blood running through their veins.“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Should I be worried?” It was absurd. I knew why, but she better not know it or, at least not at this moment.She grabbed the wine by the stem, swirled it, sniffed it, and sipped it. My gaze dropped to her long, elegant neck as she swallowed it down and then to her c
MAVERICKI denied him to have sex with me last night. I woke up before him with the guilt settling in my chest. Right now, the only thing I wanted to do was to make up for him.Lake was only in his boxers, giving me easy access to do what pleased him.With my heart racing in anticipation, I slightly tugged his boxers down his thighs, and his semi-erect cock came free. I positioned myself, gripped it with my hand, and began stroking, and it instantly hardened in my palm, so intimidating and thick.Lake stirred, inhaling an audible breath. I opened my mouth, flattened my tongue, and licked him from its base to its head.“Baby.” A groan of satisfaction rumbled from his chest, and his fingers slid right into my hair, massaging my scalp. Then I sucked his balls into my mouth and drew back.“Fuck, baby.” His grip tightened around my hair, his thighs trembling, and his chest rose and fell, and I could tell that he liked it. And I liked it, too.I felt the wetness between my thighs, and the a
MAVERICKI was a little surprised because he had never gone out of town for a business trip except to visit his mother since we got married.“I’ll be back tomorrow early in the morning. For the past couple of weeks, I relied on my meetings with Rusher, but I think it’s time I will do my job properly.”“You don’t have to explain. I understand. Who’s running Archer Solar?”“Not me, baby. Are you going to be okay by yourself?”I smiled. “I’ve been alone since I turned eighteen, and yes. And I promise to behave. Scout honor.” I saluted, making him chuckle.“Take Homer with you wherever you go.”“Of course. After meeting a mafia, I think I’m still slightly shaken up with the truth.”“You have everything you need. If you need extra cash, you know where to find it.”“Babe, you will be gone for only twenty-four hours unless…” I squinted my eyes, and he narrowed his.“What?”“Unless you bump into a voluptuous bombshell, hit your head hard, develop amnesia, and forget you have a wife waiting fo
MAVERICKI washed my face and took a breath. I was still waiting for the address to be sent, and I had no idea where to get that amount. When the caller said to bring that kind of amount, he must have known my relationship with Lake, and he knew I could make it possible.I stared at the two cards in my hand. There was cash in the debit card, but it wasn’t enough. Then I remembered what he told me this morning. My hopes rose beyond the stratosphere.I was about to cry again at the thought of what I was about to do, and I couldn’t tell him the reason why I did what I did. My heart was bleeding, thinking of betraying Lake and stealing his money. I was like telling his father, yeah, I was after his son’s money. But I would deal with Lake later once I saved my grandmother.I went inside the room with dread and terror rocking my body. I was so scared. My hands were shaky and cold as iced. I’d never stole from anyone, let alone from the people I cared about.I opened the closet door and pres
MAVERICK“I don’t think you realize who has your grandmother, bitch. Her life depends on how you can follow my order, or I will kill her.”I wiped my tears. “Fine. Just don’t harm her. If you do, I will do everything I can to find you—” The line was cut. He hung up on me. “Son of a bitch!”When the traffic lights went red, I cried harder alone. These people seemed to know me better. My mind went to the man pretending to be smoking in the alley, but if he wasn’t Linden’s man, then who was he? Were these people involved with the mafia?I was so confused and terrified at the same time. I sped up towards my grandmother’s house when the lights turned green.Forty minutes later, I parked in front of the house. I knocked, and the door slightly opened.The man in the ski mask gestured for me to drop the bag. He wasn’t that tall, and his eyes were brown.“Where’s my grandmother?”“You will get your direction.” His voice was deep, but I definitely had not met him before. So they were not workin
TERZOThe thick wooden doubled-door swung open to my father’s office. It was one of the biggest rooms in the house where business was discussed and where the most secured safe and panic room were situated, where he kept his most valuables.I was assaulted by the scents of cedar wood and expensive cigars hung thick in the air.I let go of a shuddering breath as I stepped inside. Gaetano Siciliano, the patriarch of the family, the Don— one of the most powerful and feared heads of the mafias in Italian history— my father was sitting in his chair before his massive desk. His thick brows knitted together, hanging low over his dark caramel eyes and gray hair cut stylishly. In his sixties, he was still fit, strong, and could beat me in the ring if he desired to, but he always humbly said his prime was over.“Figlio.”“Come va, papa?”Papa nodded in acknowledgment. “Come in. How’s your sister?”Standing in the left corner that caught my eye was Celestina, my other beautiful sister who had bee
MAVERICKI smiled as we finally had time for each other. Atlas just fell asleep.Lake cupped my face and traced my lips with his thumb. “Thank you for making me complete, the happiest man on this planet, and for being my wife.”My heart exploded with his words with so much joy. “Ditto. Now, no more talking. Just get rid of your clothes.”He held his laugh, shaking his head as we began taking our clothes off. There was nothing much to strip off. I was in my sexy red lingerie, and he was in his pants.To be honest, our only problem was our time for both of us— most of the time while we were naked in bed, Atlas began waking up and started to cry.“I love you, baby.”I parted my lips as I watched the desire flicker in his eyes. He then dipped down, tagging my bottom lip between his teeth. He groaned as he pressed his hard cock against my lower belly and then cupped my ass as he finally captured my mouth in a passionate kiss, gliding his tongue inside, dominating me.Moaning, I instantly w
MAVERICKEight months later, Southampton I had a teary-eyed earlier as Cooper carried the precious angel I’d never thought I could love beyond anything in this world. He was five months old today and became the center of our universe. He was our ringbearer, and everyone, oh and ah, as he put on a cute little suit, while Nana and Beatreigh had been giggling since I walked down the aisle with my father, Gaetano.Like what he promised to my husband when Lake asked for the blessings he would be here, my friends and family, everyone I loved, including Terzo and Celestina. Lake did his luck inviting my mother. Surprisingly, she was here alone.“What’s in your head, baby?” the most handsome groom I’d ever seen smiled. He still took my breath away when he did that.After all these years of finding my perfect one, he came to me at the right time, even for the wrong reason.Then, our whole universe, Atlas Sawyer Bates Winston, came into our world, adding more colors to our lives. Sawyer was my
LAKE“Oh, my God!” My mother was the first to react, seeing the golf ball pop into blue smoke as soon as my uncle executed a stroke.“I knew it. Look at her abdomen,” Augustine said to my mother.“I told you, remember?” Mom seemed to find a new good friend in Augustine. They went to coffee or shopping together and sometimes baked at home. I was glad they got along so well. They were going to be excellent guides in raising our child.When we held our gender reveal party, Maverick was already six months pregnant. It was worth the wait. Everyone was here— our families, close friends, her friends from the Bazz, and, of course, our extended family.“You should promote my baby products, Maverick.”Amused, I shook my head at Estelle. “Give my wife a break.”“You’re the one who’s not giving her a break,” London replied. “She’s going to wear LH maternity dress for the photoshoots.“Congratulations, cuz.” Striker came to me.“Thanks.” We hugged each other.“Are you ready to be a father?”“I don
MAVERICK“Whoa. Why the long face?” I shoved a spoonful of butter pecan ice cream into my mouth as I watched Lake’s face seemingly in deep, miserable thoughts. “Babe?”“Yeah?” He looked at me, looking guilty.“Did you just cheat on me in that four hours?”“Baby, why do you always think like that?”“Lake, cheating doesn’t only mean you’re sleeping or kissing the other woman. Could be lying, keeping something important from me.”“I know.” He rose from the chair to join me on the couch. Then he pulled me close to him so he could hug me. “You like that?”“Yeah. You want some?” I scooped and offered, but he shook his head.“I want to tell you something.” I could feel the heaviness of guilt in his voice. Whatever he was about to say, I was sure he had reasons.“Shoot.”“I went to Nana.” It lightened up my chest when he called my grandmother Nana. One time, when he talked about my father, he called him Papa even though I still called Gaetano by his name.“And?” I met his gaze.“Your mother w
LAKE“She did not ruin your life. You ruined your own life by sleeping with the most dangerous man,” Augustine spat her anger out.I felt her anger towards her daughter was decades long, and she just had time to let it out of her chest.“You were only eighteen,” she added. “I had high hopes for you, but you disappointed your father. You were reckless and stupid and slept with a married man. You didn’t even know what care and love meant, and after you were gone for months, you came to me five months pregnant. Don’t blame your miserable life and poor choices on the poor, innocent child. She’s been through enough and all of that because you caused her so much pain.”“What do you want from my wife, Florence?”She lifted her chin. “I just wanted to meet her.”“Why now? Why not before when she didn’t have a mother at her first school recital? On her first time having a period? I’m your last to get out of here without being dragged into a van. Terzo is still in town, Florence.”She blinked t
LAKE“Are you okay?” I glanced down at Maverick working on her tan beside the pool.She looked pretty satisfied and comfortable in her yellow two-piece swimsuit and sunglasses, which shielded her eyes from the blazing sun.“Why do you keep asking me that?” She slightly lifted her chin.“Did you put enough sunscreen on?” I wanted to see her eyes but was disappointed that she kept her sunglasses on.“Don’t worry. I need more Vitamin D.” She strolled her gaze at me.“My Vitamin D isn’t enough for you?”When she saw me smirking, she slightly tipped her head down, glaring. “Not everything is about your dick, Lake. Going somewhere?”“Yeah. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”“A date?”“Yes, Maverick. I have a date. You might as well put Airtag on me.”“Can you buy butter pecan ice cream for me?”“Of course. Anything else?”“Bring your cock back untouched.”I laughed, making her frown. “My cock is exclusively yours, baby.” I bent down to cup her face and kissed her on the lips. “I promise yo
MAVERICK“Linden made fun of me. He sent me every copy of the books he read while Estelle had their first baby, Gabrielle. I’m done reading the first two books.”“Is that why you’re so calmer than me because of these books?”“You may be stubborn, but when it comes to our unborn child, you’re very responsible. Hence, we never argued about it. We most argued about money and my spending on you.”“I did not tell you that I love the ring.” I raised my hand. It was a Marquise cut, the same size as my first engagement ring.“Thank you, baby. I have good taste, you know.” I found some meaning in his words.“I bet.”Once he was done eating, he went to a small fridge and brought two bottled water. He opened one and gave it to me.“Thank you.” I drank it.“Can you stay a little longer?”“Why? Isn’t a chairman and CEO has a lot of work to do?”“That can wait.” He stood before me, cupped my head, and kissed me hard.My hands came to his arms, gripping them as he deepened the kiss and shoved his to
MAVERICKWe finally found out the gender of our baby this morning. I could see the joy in Lake’s eyes as the doctor told us. He was excited and couldn’t wait to meet our baby. He was even teary-eyed as he kissed my tummy.One thing he assured me was that he didn’t care about either a boy or a girl as long as our child was healthy, and I couldn’t agree more.On the other hand, I was a little bit scared of a lot of things, including labor and the pressure of being a first-time mother.I was still astounded at how lucky I was to be his wife. Aside from being overprotective and bossy, he was also thoughtful and loving.After Beatreigh, Nana, and I visited a bridal boutique, we had a late lunch, and then I decided to pay a visit to my husband, who was never invited to the Chairman and CEO’s office. The last time I planned on walking into this building was my confrontation with Wallace, but it didn’t happen.So, I thought I would surprise Lake.I knocked on his office door when Venus told m