asked them for that big a favor?”
“Well, I took out their enemies,” he said wryly. “I think that’s the least they could do.”
“Jesus, Rex,” Nyx rasped. “Thank you, brother.”
Rex bowed his head. “You said he’s innocent, said he was framed, and I believe you. Heard from Finn O’Grady, and he said it’ll take about a week for him to be released.”
“So soon?” Nyx wheezed. “Christ, that’s fast.”
“We’re dealing with mob royalty,” was all Rex said, but his gaze drifted to mine. “After our conversation, Maverick, do you have news for me?”
“Lodestar has cameras set up on our perimeter and so do I.” Rex scowled at that, but I waved a hand. “She’s suspicious of everyone, and in this instance, it works to our advantage. You aren’t going to change her,” I said wryly. “The driver of the truck who left your uncle’s case file at the clubhouse is a woman called Josefa Banks.” I pursed my lips. “She’s your aunt, Rex.”
He clenched his eyes closed. “Fuck, this couldn’t be any more convoluted, could it? Why the hell did she hightail it out of there like we were going to hurt her?”
“Maybe she was scared.”
“What the fuck are you guys talking about?” Link ground out, his brow puckered as he flashed his focus between Rex and me. A quick glance around the table confirmed everyone looked just as confused.
So I sucked in a breath and said, “You wanna tell them, Rex, or shall I?”
His jaw firmed. “You know more about it than me. Go for it. Blow their minds.”
Forty-One
Alessa
When I walked into Indiana Ink, I couldn’t hide from how different this visit was to my last one here.
The tattoo in the center of my back was something Maverick had yet to see thanks to the dresses I wore that covered it up, and he’d been more focused on my ass and the scarring there in the hospital to notice, but that one wasn’t for him. It was for me.
I was free.
Because of him. His family.
My family.
And today’s ink was different. It was for him, and he was getting one for me.
Branded.
I’d experienced that once, and the pain of it had been enough to make me black out. Today’s couldn’t be more different. Ink was so much less discomforting than molten hot metal searing flesh.
Turning back to look at him, I smiled when I saw that he was watching me. He did that a lot, and when he did, there was a joy to the look like he took pleasure in having his eyes on me. As if I made him happy. And if that wasn’t a breathtaking idea, I didn’t know what was, because I wanted to make him happy. I wanted his happiness more than I wanted my own.
“Back already?” Indy called out from the desk where she had her feet up.
Giulia laughed, and I saw she was standing by the coffee pot, which had me frowning. “Giulia! You’re not supposed to be drinking coffee anymore!”
Her nose crinkled. “I’m suffering through decaf.”
Suspiciously, I narrowed my eyes at her before I shot Indy a look. She snorted. “Yeah, it’s decaf. Bitch is making me drink that watered down crap too.”
“Keeping her honest, huh?” Maverick teased as he strolled over to the desk and perched his ass on it.
“That’s one way to look at it,” was her dry retort, and she smiled when he tossed her the keys to her Camaro. “Thanks, Mav. What are you guys doing here anyway? Didn’t expect to see both of you today.”
“It’s time,” he said simply.
“We’re getting brands,” was my excited reply when she just arched a brow in confusion.
“You are?” She beamed a smile at us. “That’s amazing news.” Then, she faltered. “Wait, I thought you already got your version of a brand?”
Maverick shrugged. “I did, but I want a different one.”
“You have a brand already?” I gasped.
“I do. The mandala on my back.” When I just frowned at him, he lifted up his cut and Henley, then twisted a little so I could see the pretty pattern dancing down his spine toward his hips. “Your name is buried within it.”
“That’s called a mandala?” I breathed, reaching out to touch proof that this man had loved me for far longer than I’d loved him.
Proof that he’d claimed me before I’d even known I wanted to be claimed.
“It is.” His eyes twinkled as he asked, “Like it?”
“I love it.” And I did. “Not as much as I love you though.”
Giulia snorted. “Pass me a barf bag.”
“Like