Chapter 22 #3
“Who’s Kraven?” Jade asked, her back straightening a little at the concern in Felice’s tone. “And what does that ring mean?”
“It’s a debtor’s promise.” Maverick clenched his jaw. He knew all too well the weight such a promise carried. A deal made with the cunning and ancient incubus crime lord was no trifling matter.
“He wants to work with me.” Zera’s chin rose a little.
“He’s given me a lab to replicate the synthetic pixie-dust drug I’ve been working on in order to manufacture it at scale.
A competitor to protect pixies, since our government’s efforts have fallen short.
No offense.” She shot Irdeel and Cillian a look of sympathy that wasn’t returned.
All the color drained from Irdeel’s face as she said, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of that.”
Maverick smirked. He knew the agents wouldn’t be telling anyone of anything they learned or gleaned from this trip.
If the FBI discovered that their two agents ventured into Mystic City territory on an unauthorized mission, especially while collaborating with a pixie intent on creating a synthetic version of an illegal drug, there would be severe repercussions.
Zera continued, her voice gaining a steely edge, “I made a deal with Kraven to keep my son and my family safe. He provided me with protection and resources after Gareth threatened us. But more than that, I believe a synthetic drug is the key to keeping my people from being hunted for their pixie dust.”
“If you can’t keep the drugs off the street, keep the street from hunting us,” Jade muttered, her pixie ears twitching at a phantom sound. “It’s not a bad idea.”
“Except for the part about working with the incubus,” Felice said with a warning look. “He’s dangerous. Perhaps even more than Gareth.”
Zera shrugged. “Well, we’ll just have to hope my everfrost blossom has bloomed because that’s the only way I’ll be free. If I can make good on my promise, then perhaps I can live a normal life with my son and make the streets a bit safer in the process.”
“We will make it happen,” Maverick said, finally stepping up beside her and taking her hand in his free one. Cole was still propped up by his other and played with a button at the collar of his flexible fighting leathers.
Felice’s eyebrows nearly vanished into her fiery red hairline. “You’re getting into this business too?”
Maverick held Zera’s gaze for a heartbeat, his piercing eyes intense yet soft at the same time. “I’m in this with you,” he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”
A rush of gratitude swept down the bond, and her affection for him reflected in her eyes.
For a moment, her emotions collided with his and her heart fluttered as she fell further in love with him for his unwavering loyalty to her despite his tough exterior and sometimes shady profession.
He would have to fix that if he were to be her mate, but he would never ask her to do the same.
He wanted her to experience everything she hadn’t been able to and desired to be the one to take care of Cole while she pursued her passion and went back to school—or whatever it was that she wanted.
He’d lived in the shadows and played with fire, so he knew how to work the world that Zera was dipping her toes into.
They would face this challenge and everything else together.
That much they both knew, thanks to their newfound connection.
“Of course you all will have to vow to secrecy, but there’s no reason any of you should be involved,” Maverick said with a shrug. “The debtor’s promise was addressed to my mate.”
Sloane and Jade gawked at his use of the word “mate,” but from Zera’s answering smile and the way her eyes glistened like a field of lilacs, he knew she claimed him too. She was utterly radiant.
Cole cupped Maverick’s face and tugged on the dark beard he desperately needed to shave. The boy’s giggles were contagious, and the whole group laughed along with him.
Maverick chuckled along with them, delighted to see such genuine mirth and happiness in their midst. Then he turned to the rest of them and said, “I’m sure you all have questions, but we should probably leave before this one decides to eat my beard for a late-night snack.”
He leaned down to pass Cole back to his mom.
Zera leaned into Maverick as she whispered, “Thank you for trusting me, for believing in us.” Her voice carried a mix of relief and adoration that tugged at his heartstrings.
“Anytime,” he said, and he meant it.
The motley crew fell into formation. Zera and Maverick took the center position.
Cole giggled excitedly in Zera’s arms as they set off down the dimly lit halls and out into the brisk night air.
Maverick couldn’t help but steal another glance at Zera.
Her beautiful eyes lit up with a passionate fire and the determination of a mother that he knew would burn brighter and longer than the night sky.
He took a deep breath, savoring the moment and knowing that he was in uncharted territory.
But one thing was certain—with her by his side, nothing seemed impossible.
They would make it through this and any other challenge.
He was sure of it. And maybe, just maybe, he had finally found the love and family he’d always longed for.
Putting the stronghold behind them and the wild unknown future ahead, they all stood in front of the roaring rapids, waiting for Sloane to finish her spell that would create a portal back to the penthouse.
Maverick sighed. He couldn’t believe it.
They had actually made it through all the obstacles and challenges with their lives.
Well, most of them, at least. The air was thick with anticipation as they all knew what this meant—if the everfrost blossom bloomed, Kraven would make his appearance, and they would officially be in business with the leader of all the organized crime in the city.
He glanced down at Zera, who now fed her son from some packet her witchy sister-in-law had conjured up. He knew that, no matter what happened, Cole would always be Zera’s top priority.
Zera, he whispered through the bond, and she glanced up at him. Once you’ve developed this… synthetic drug of yours, perhaps it’d be good for all of us to find a place away from all of this.
Are you thinking about going straight? She arched a skeptical brow.
I’ve been thinking about it for a while. He chuckled at her surprise. I’d do it for you. And to help raise Cole. Perhaps we could live near your family, for him to grow up in a safe and normal environment. That is, if you want and, of course, want me there with you.
A caress through the bond and across his heart was all he needed to feel to know that she felt the same, but he still wanted to hear the words, just as she had wanted to.
You’d give up your life as a spy?
He shrugged. I’ve been trying to find a way to retire from this business. This seems as good as any. Perhaps I’ll become a security consultant.
Her lips parted in a transcendent smile, and she leaned into him to whisper, “I want you by my side.”
Always. The promise echoed through the bond.
His eyes fluttered shut for a mere moment as he savored the words from her beautiful mouth. He cupped her face and brushed his thumb gently over her cheekbone, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips.
“I love you,” he whispered to his mate as the witch finished the incantation and the portal to the penthouse whirred to life and whisked them away on a phantom wind.