Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

porch is sunken and missing steps. The siding is coated in mold.

We take off running, not giving them a second to think to run away.

I jump over the steps, not trusting the few left. I kick the door off the hinges, ducking out of the way when bullets ring past me.

I peek over the door and see a shirtless man in a pair of jeans. I pull out my gun and shoot once, ducking back around when I hear him jump.

I step inside of the house. The guys split up and we all go in different directions, checking every corner of the house.

A man runs out of a back bedroom. I grab him by the back of his shirt before he can get away. “Where is the little boy?” I ask.

He points in the direction of the back of the house. I throw him to Liam, who pulls him out of the house.

My heart pounds hard in my chest. I push open the door. I don’t see him at first, so I turn on the light.

Ronny is in the corner of the room, curled in a ball and shaking. Fucking destroyed.

I walk over to him slowly, stopping a few feet away. “Ronny,” I say as soft as I fucking can considering how pissed I am.

He lifts his head slightly, his face showing his shock to see me here. “Maverick?” he whispers in shock, looking around the room.

I sit on the nasty fucking floor in front of him. I bite back the rage at the sight of the bruise on his cheek. Someone hit him.

“Are you here to take me away from here?” he asks so softly I barely hear him. He’s shaking so hard and it’s fucking killing me that he feels such fear.

“I am. Bell is in the truck waiting on you.” He sits up a little straighter at the mention of her. Me too, buddy.

His bottom lip trembles. “She’s not upset I have her phone?” He looks horrified at the thought

“Not at all! She is so upset over what happened. The phone is how we found you.”

He looks so relieved. “My mom gave me to these bad men, Maverick. I have no home.” He scoots farther away from me, leaning against the wall.

Totally shattered.

“Why did she do that, Maverick? I tried to be the best kid for her. I never made a mess, I wasn’t loud.” He looks so fucking sad.

I scoot closer to him, watching his reaction to make sure it’s okay. “There are bad people in this world. Your mom is one of them. You are a kid—you are meant to be a kid, play hockey, read all of the books you want.”

“Not be given away,” he finishes for me.

My eyes grow fucking hot. “Not be given away… Want to come live with me and Bell?”

He looks at me like he’s going to pass out. “With you and Bell? Like how?”

I smile. “First we’ll need to decorate your room. You can have your pick. I’m trying to convince Bell to move in with me—you’re helping me out.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood.

He smiles for the first time. “I think I would love to live with you. I can clean and cook for you!” he offers.

I shake my head no. “You can do that if you want too, but that is not needed. I have someone who cleans the house for me. I’ll cook, or Bell if she wants. What I want from you is to be you, be an eight-year-old kid.”

He blinks a few times like he can’t believe this is real. He splits the distance between us, wrapping his arms around me. I wrap both arms around him, wishing to God I could stop his shaking.

I look over at the entrance of the door, and all of the guys are standing there watching the scene.

I sniff and pull back wiping his tears, “Ready to get out of here?” I ask.

“Please.”

I stand up and take his hand in mine. He grips on top like he’s afraid I’ll let go and leave him here.

I would rather fucking die the worst death imaginable than leave this little boy here.

I look at Ryan as I leave. “Can you bring Myra to my house?” I ask.

Ryan nods. “I already have her on standby, man.”

Myra is a pediatric doctor. I want to give Ronny a full workup to make sure he’s completely healthy.

The guys have cleared out of the building so Ronny won’t see the bodies of those here. They’re all dead.

All of the guys smile at Ronny so he’s not scared of them. I’m sure he’s seen a few of them at the center.

“Is Bell here?” he asks.

I love that he loves her so much; she really cares for him too. “She’s right up the road.”

He starts to walk a little faster, but he doesn’t let go of my hand. Earlier today he was on top of the world getting fitted with all of his hockey stuff and looking at the ice rink.

I see Bell opening the door of the truck, stepping out to stand next to it, waiting for Ronny to reach her.

“Hi sweetheart,” she says softly, and Ronny slips his hand from mine, running straight to her. She hugs him tightly.

“I love you, Bell, thank you for saving me.” He sniffs and squeezes her tighter.

Fuck, my chest hurts.

Bell closes her eyes. She leans back and gets on her knees in front of him. “You’re not hurt?” She runs her hands down his arms.

He shakes his head no. “I’m okay. Maverick told me I’m coming to live with you guys.”

I get that shit is out in the open now. I grin, because why the fuck not? I want him to be with me and I want her in my bed, always.

Bell’s face burns and I know that she wants that shit too.

“I would love that, honey,” Bell confirms that shit and I feel a hundred feet fucking tall.

“Thanks, guys, for the help. We’re going to get him