Maverick
Present Day
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” —THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
I hit the quad’s throttle, forcing myself to stay focused. But ignoring Delilah’s death grip on my waist is proving more difficult than I would’ve thought.
Should I have told her that her husband was my closest childhood friend?
Probably. But it’s too late to change that now.
It’s clear from her interaction with Gabriel that she fully subscribes to the ways of the Brotherhood, at least in his presence.
Around her husband, she’s quiet, meek, submissive; nothing like how she is around me.
It seems like how she is around me is the real Delilah, and I’m a goddamn bastard for the pride I feel because of it.
I navigate through the brush as best I can with Zeus’s blurred form running beside us, but it’s a tight squeeze through most of the trees.
I duck my head to avoid low-hanging branches, hoping my body protects Delilah from getting too cut up.
We make it to the Hub in a few minutes, and the camp is a flurry of activity as everyone works to pack up their belongings.
“Mav!” someone yells, and I turn to find Bec struggling to get the last of her tent into her bag.
I jump off the quad and walk over to her, placing my hands on her small shoulders. She always gets nervous when we have to move camps, and it’s no wonder. I’d have PTSD too if I’d been through what she had. “It’s okay,” I tell her. “You’re gonna be fine.”
She nods quickly, like she’s trying to convince herself. “I know.”
I shove the rest of the canvas into its bag and carry it over to the ATV, adding it to the pile on the back. “Stay with her?”
Bec looks at Delilah, who’s wide-eyed as she takes in the rapidly-disappearing camp. “She’s coming with us?”
I rub my jaw, ignoring how uncomfortable it makes me to think of Delilah going back to New Athens. “For now.”
Bec studies me briefly before her attention shifts to Delilah. “Hey city girl. You’re with me.”
Delilah’s golden-brown eyes find mine instantly. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s nervous to be away from me.
“You got her?” I ask Bec.
My number two gives me a solemn nod. “I got her.”
I watch them speed away on the ATV toward the dock, ignoring the uncomfortable twist in my gut. Maybe Delilah’s not the only one who’s nervous about being separated.
I get to work helping pack up the rest of the camp. I can’t even count how many times I’ve done this, and while we’ve gotten more efficient over the years—it’s practically a science at this point—it never gets any easier leaving the place you’ve called home, however short the stay.
Within an hour, everything is loaded onto the small ferry. The van, the ATV, the animals, and everyone with their personal belongings. Normally, we wouldn’t risk moving the ferry during the day, but if the Brotherhood was able to lock onto our signal, we can’t risk waiting until nightfall.
I’ve scouted these islands—most of them uninhabited—a few times, and we always have our next few spots planned out.
I head toward the helm, all the while scanning the crowd for Bec and Delilah.
I don’t see either of them, but I trust that Bec has everything under control.
She’s done this almost as many times as I have, after all.
V’s waiting for me at the wheel. “Everyone’s accounted for.” She doesn’t even bother asking why we’re leaving.
I nod appreciatively. “Thanks, Doc.”
“Where’s your girl?” she asks with a quirked brow.
I glare half-heartedly. “She’s not my girl, V.”
The older woman smiles slyly. “And yet, you know exactly who I’m asking about.”
Zeus barks at my side, as if he’s agreeing with her. Traitor.
I ignore her smug expression and start the engine. My high-pitched whistle rings out, signaling everyone to quiet down. “Conditions aren’t ideal, so stay low and keep it down. We should get to the new island in an hour or so.”
Everyone sits and settles in, everything they own within arm’s reach.
Once again, I find myself searching the sea of faces for the one woman I know I shouldn’t get attached to.
Based on her conversation with Gabriel, it would appear she has every intention of returning to New Athens.
Even after everything she’s learned. Even after the truth of who the Brotherhood really are has been revealed to her.
The very idea of her being in her husband’s clutches again makes me want to punch something, but I meant what I said.
If she still wants to go back to him at the end of all this, she can.
I won’t keep her here against her will. Otherwise, I’m no better than the very men I’m fighting against.
There she is. She’s sitting next to Bec, arms wrapped around her knees.
She looks around, and for whatever reason, the selfish part of me hopes she’s searching for me.
Her brown curls are wild from the ATV ride, her body radiating unease.
Even from here, I can tell she feels lost, like a lamb that’s wandered away from its herd.
To her, we’re the wolves. But really, she’s been surrounded by wolves most of her life and hasn’t even realized it.
She spots me, and damn if she doesn’t instantly look calmer. I can’t read into it, though. She’s a victim of the Brotherhood, most likely confused as hell, and I’ve been the one constant thing in her life the past few days. I would be an idiot to see it as anything more.
You good? I mouth from across the boat.
She nods, a small frown marring her brow, before turning her attention back to Bec. I’ll need to talk to Delilah about what happened with Gabriel eventually, about what she wants. But for now, my focus is on getting this group of people to safety.
The water churns behind us as we glide toward our destination, another island about twenty miles north of here.
This particular one used to be a state park and hiking destination, so there’s a ferry dock, which will hopefully make settling in go much smoother.
There was one island we stayed on where there was nowhere to dock the boat, and we had to take everyone and everything to shore in small trips.
It was also more difficult to leave since we had to do the same thing when it was time to move on, and we collectively decided to only stay on islands with docks from then on out.
V, who did her rounds to check on everyone and make sure there were no major injuries acquired in the scuffle, rejoins me at the helm. “What happened?”
I exhale slowly through my nose. “We got a call from her husband. Figured it was better to be safe than sorry in case they tracked the signal.”
“They want her back?” I can feel V’s inquisitive gaze on the side of my face, but I keep my eyes forward.
“Of course they want her back. She’s Gabriel’s wife. Having her at his side is a symbol of power to them.” My knuckles tighten on the wheel.
“What does she want?”
You’d think the calm water and soft drizzle would bring about a sense of peace upon hearing that question. Instead, my insides are a turbulent storm, all choppy waves and high winds. I barely even know this woman, and yet, the idea of parting with her makes me ill. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you should ask her.”
“Thanks for the suggestion, Doc.”
V puts a hand on my shoulder. “You deserve to be happy, Maverick.”
I look over at her, eyes slitted. “Speak plainly, Vera.”
“You’ve made it your life’s work to save as many people as you can, all the while letting your own happiness fall to the wayside.”
I shake my head. “I tried with Sam. You and I both know how that ended.”
“You and Sam found each other at a time when you both needed distraction. She needed to heal from her trauma, and you needed someone to lean on.”
I shake my head. “My priority is these people. It always will be.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t find someone to share your life with.”
“What kind of life could I offer her?” I snap. “An existence of uncertainty and instability? Pretty sure she’s accustomed to fluffy bath towels and high thread-count sheets.”
“Quit being an ass,” V scolds. “If you think she’s that shallow then you haven’t been paying attention.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Doc. She’s stubborn as hell. If she wants to go back, I’m not gonna stop her.”
“Her cortisol levels were through the roof, Mav. It’s no wonder she hasn’t gotten pregnant—her body has literally been in survival mode for more than a decade.”
“Isn’t that typical of everyone we rescue from New Athens?” I grumble.
“The difference is”—V leans in and speaks low—“Delilah thinks her life is normal. She’s been in New Athens for so long, from such a young age, she doesn’t even see how the things she’s suffered are problematic. She denied any kind of abuse.”
Jesus Christ.
My throat feels tight. “What if it breaks her?”
“She’s strong. Will it be a lot to process? Of course. But we can show her what a life of freedom looks like, teach her what actually happened and how the Brotherhood rose to power.”
“And if she still wants to go back?” My jaw clenches at the idea.
V gives me a sad smile. “Then you let her go.”