Maverick
Present Day
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” —MAYA ANGELOU
I really should reschedule this meeting.
The council—some of my closest friends and allies—can always tell when my mind is in another place, and it’s no secret I’ve been distracted lately.
Since bringing Delilah here, she’s all I’ve been able to think about, all I’ve been able to focus on.
She’s the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep. She even occupies my dreams.
But there’s a lot to discuss in light of Gabriel’s public broadcast and his connection to Delilah and what it could mean for the camp, thus today’s meeting in addition to our regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
The other members are already here and seated around the campfire.
V, Benji, Bec, plus Wesley—an ivy league graduate and ex-stockbroker who happens to be the biggest cynic I know—and Cam, a former green beret who deserted once they realized the government was in bed with the Brotherhood.
Their special forces training and expertise have come in handy more than once, especially when it comes to predicting the military’s next moves, and more importantly, how to avoid a confrontation.
“Sorry I’m late.” I grunt as the fabric of the camp chair stretches to accommodate my frame.
Wes rolls his eyes. “It’s fine. We know the wife is high maintenance.”
“The wife has a name.” I glare at him. “And she’s coming around.”
“Why is she even still here?” he questions. “I thought she wanted to leave.”
Bec cuts in before I have a chance to respond. “Have you spent any time with her, Wes? She’s actually not that bad once you get to know her.”
“Her personality is irrelevant,” he snaps. “The whole point of keeping her around is to broker a deal with the Brotherhood.”
“She’s not a pawn in one of your chess games, Wesley.” My fists clench. “I won’t let you sacrifice her for whatever you think she’s worth exchanging.”
“She’s a high lord’s wife, Stetson. And according to the broadcast your buddy Gabriel sent out, they’re willing to do anything to get her back. It would be a waste to abdicate the high ground here.”
“It’s not up for discussion,” I practically growl.
“Let’s all take a breath,” V suggests. “As long as she follows our rules, Mrs. Sinclair is welcome here as long as she pleases, just like everyone else.”
“Does she have any useful information? We haven’t had a lead in months.” Cam’s been working closely with Benji to analyze the data I pulled from the night of the masquerade to no avail.
I shake my head. “I haven’t exactly been interrogating her. She’s been through enough as it is.”
They hold up their hands in acquiescence. “Totally valid. But it’s worth considering if she does want to help.”
No sooner than the words leave their lips does another voice sound from behind me. “I want to help.”
I look over my shoulder to find Delilah looking slightly puffy-eyed as her chest rises and falls rapidly, as if she ran here.
She crosses her arms and raises her chin, refusing to balk under the council’s scrutinizing gazes, and damn if it doesn’t steal my breath right out of my lungs.
If I found her attractive before, seeing her all fired up and ready to take her life back only makes me want her more.
Wesley, unsurprisingly, is the first to speak. “No offense, Mrs. Sinclair. But, why should we trust you?”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Because my eyes are open, and I want revenge as much as the rest of you.”
V offers a sympathetic look. “Revenge is a dangerous goal. Hate often blinds us, clouds our judgement.”
“The Resistance aims to liberate and reform. If we sought revenge against everyone in New Athens who’s wronged us, we’d all be dead and the oppressed women there would be no more free than they are now.
” Wesley might not have ever been a member of the Brotherhood, but he still possesses that same condescending tone that makes you want to punch him in the face.
But, he knows better than anyone what being hellbent on getting revenge can cost…
I can tell Delilah’s biting her tongue as she stares daggers at Wes. Bec saves me from an intervention. “We’re all grateful for your willingness to help, Della. Can you tell us anything about the Brotherhood’s inner workings? Anything we wouldn’t already know?”
She bites her lip, her eyes dropping to the ground. “They don’t tell us much.”
Bec smiles encouragingly, not that Delilah sees it. “They keep wives in the dark on purpose. You can take time to think about it, write down anything you think might be useful.”
Delilah raises her head, her eyes locking with mine. “What if…” She swallows. “What if the best way I can be useful is to become one of your spies?”
“Absolutely not.” The words leave my mouth before I’ve even had a chance to process them.
“You’ve never had a wife for a spy before,” she states confidently. “I could be a real asset.”
I stand, unsure what else to do with the discomfort jolting through my body. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I can handle it.” She crosses her arms, staring me down as if we’re the only two people present.
The silence is unbearably loud, until Cam clears their throat.“We can train her. Rumor has it you’ve already done some self defense. I can teach her how to withstand interrogation. Benji can get her comfortable with the tech.”
I shake my head, an almost-hysterical laugh bubbling out of me. “She’ll get caught.”
Delilah rolls her eyes. “Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rebel Man.”
I ignore her, fists clenched. “I won’t do it.”
“It’s not up to you,” she challenges. “Last I checked this is a council meeting. Don’t you all decide things together?”
Bec fails to hide her proud smile. “Majority vote wins. If we’re split we open the vote up to the entire camp.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I grumble. “Because it’s not happening.”
Delilah scoffs. “God, you’re an ass.”
“Better to be an ass than to see you end up dead.” I take a step toward her. “Do you know what they do to traitors, darlin’?”
She flinches slightly, but lifts her chin nonetheless as I get closer.
“They torture them in every way imaginable. Sleep deprivation, solitary confinement, waterboarding—all of it seems like child’s play compared to what the Brotherhood is capable of when it comes to getting information out of people.”
I can see the uncertainty in her gaze, and I hope to god I’m scaring her. Maybe then she’ll decide not to do this.
“They won’t hurt me.” Her chin wobbles.
“You’re wrong.” The very idea of her being within Gabriel’s reach again makes me physically ill. “They will hurt you if they find out the truth, and there will be nothing I can do to stop it.”
“Let’s vote,” she addresses the council as a whole now, though her eyes never leave mine.
I stare down at her, prepared to drop to my knees and beg if I have to. “Please don’t do this.” My voice comes out a pathetic whisper, a prayer beseeched to any god who might listen.
Wes breaks the silence. “I vote yes.”
“I vote no,” V says. “We can find another way to take down the Brotherhood.”
“It’s worth the risk,” Cam says. “I vote yes.”
“We’ll make sure she’s ready.” Bec attempts to reassure me. “Yes.”
Benji’s the last to vote. “No.” One word, yet a full sentence.
“No.” I smirk, relief coursing through me. “Sorry, darlin’.”
She scowls. “I don’t get a vote?”
“You’re not a member of this council,” I state plainly.
“But this vote pertains to me. It was my idea,” she argues. “Besides, you said a tie vote goes to the rest of the camp.”
“With minor issues, yes. Not when someone’s life is hanging in the balance.” Her inability to grasp the severity of the situation only makes my irritation grow.
“You’re being dramatic.” She turns away from me. “You can’t stop me, Maverick. You can either help make sure I’m ready or not. Either way, I’m going back.”
I stare her down. “If you think I’m incapable of stopping you, you severely underestimate the lengths I’ll go to to protect the people I care about.”
Another scowl sours her expression which quickly morphs into one of surprise as I reach down and throw her over my shoulder, just like the first night we met.
“Maverick!” she screams, struggling against my hold. “Put me down!”
“Meeting adjourned,” I call over my shoulder, walking back toward my tent.
Zeus barks and jumps as he follows me while Delilah protests—albeit, halfheartedly—the whole way back to the tent, until I finally set her down in the relative privacy that the canvas offers.
She pushes her wild curls out of her reddened face before shoving me in the chest. “Asshole!”
“You can call me as many names as you want. It won’t change my mind.”
“You’re the one that told me to make my own choice!” she yells. “You don’t get to take that away from me just because you disagree with it.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to risk your life by wanting to spy for the Resistance!” I yell back.
“It’s not your job to protect me.” She shoves me again, harder this time.
I catch her wrists in one hand while my other palm comes up to cradle her waist. Her breath hitches at the contact. “Every person in this camp is my responsibility.” My voice drops. “Including you. Especially you.”
She looks up at me, defiance sparkling in her dark brown eyes. “Why?”
I release her wrists, bringing my hand up to grip her chin gently. “Because you are precious, and you deserve to be treated as such.”
“Maverick,” she whispers, her tone softening. “Please let me do this. I need to do this.”
Fuck. I close my eyes, trying to avoid her plea.
“Help me do this. Believe in me.” Her voice is like a siren’s song, one I can’t resist. And besides, she’s right. I did tell her to choose—to be selfish. Who the hell am I to take that away from her?
I open my eyes. “Okay.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
I nod, catching her just in time as she launches herself into my arms. Her arms lock around my neck and she squeezes tightly while I hold her waist. Her soft frame feels so right pressed against me, like we’re two pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly.
“Thank you,” she whispers in my ear.
We both pull away and I set her down, conjuring the most serious face I can manage in light of her excitement. “But, darlin’, we do this on my terms. The training, the planning, the mission. If anything goes wrong, I’ll pull you out without a second thought.”
She nods eagerly, unable to contain her smile. “Your terms.”
I study her, feeling immensely proud despite the anxiety this idea gives me. “What made you change your mind?”
Her smile melts away as she stares up at me, now completely serious.
“My time here, the people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard, even your damn dog and his irresistible charm.
But mostly, I realized what the Brotherhood stole from me, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure no one else has to go through that ever again. ”
I nod. “Then let’s get to work.”