Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

scoots closer to me and I resist the urge to pull him into a hug.

I just want to wrap him up and protect him from the world. I just can’t fathom how scared he was or what he thought when his mother did that.

It still blows my mind that she could sell her baby.

“Never had a bed before.”

Tears fill my eyes. I turn away so he doesn’t see. Maverick looks just as hurt as me.

“You know what would make this room better?” Maverick asks Ronny, who sits up higher.

“What?” Ronny asks, excited.

“Well, for one, we need a bookshelf with all of your favorite books. I think a bookstore run tomorrow is needed.” Maverick winks and Ronny looks like he could fall over.

“Oh, thank you, Maverick!” Ronny jumps off of the bed and slams into him, hugging his waist.

Maverick looks down at him, then at me in a way I have never seen before. I know in this moment Ronny just took his whole heart, claiming it as his.

There’s a knock at the door. “That’s probably Myra and Ryan.”

We all walk downstairs and I peer out the window. “Who are they?” Ronny asks, gripping my hand, I can see the slight fear on his face.

Maverick bends down. “The lady is a doctor. She is going to check you over to make sure you are healthy. The guy standing next to her is her husband. The other is someone bringing you some clothes. You’re safe.” He runs his hand down the back of his head. “I will always protect you, nothing will hurt you.”

I am so gone for him.

Ronny relaxes and takes Maverick’s hand as he opens the front door. “Hi Ronny, I’m Myra. I’m a doctor.” She smiles, holding her hand out for him to shake.

He does it. “Nice to meet you.” He smiles and scoots closer to Maverick when the guys walk into the house.

Maverick takes notice. “Why don’t you guys go to the kitchen and relax? There’s beer in the refrigerator.”

“Alright, sweetheart, let’s go sit on the couch.” Ronny lets go of Maverick’s hand and follows Myra to the couch.

“Hang on one second. I need to ask Maverick and Bell something.” Myra sets her bag down, walking over to us.

“I need to know, do you think there is a chance something could have happened to him, sexually?” she whispers, soft enough that only we can hear.

A deep fear strikes my heart at the prospect of that happening. It crossed my mind, but I am terrified to find out.

Maverick walks away, rubbing the back of his head. I can feel the anger rolling off of him in waves.

“Maverick, it’s probably a good idea,” I whisper.

He looks at me completely heartbroken. “I think it’s best I take him to my clinic here in town. It’s probably better for him,” Myra says.

Maverick nods and my heart cracks a little. “Hey Ronny, I think we’re going to get you checked out in town at the clinic, is that okay?”

He looks at the both of us in confusion, but nods. “I think pizza for dinner would be a great idea—what do you think?” I try to distract him from overthinking.

“I would love some!” He gets excited and runs to the door to put his shoes on.

Maverick

The wait is fucking torture for me and Bell. We sit and sit in this waiting room.

“I am so worried, it’s hard to breathe,” Bell whispers to me.

I lean over, kissing her on the forehead. “Me too,” I confirm. I hope to god that nothing has happened to him. I will go FUCKING BALLISTIC.

Twenty minutes later Myra walks out and shuts the door behind her. She pulls up a chair next to us. She has tears in her eyes. Fuck.

Bell looks at me, horrified at what she could say. “First, I want you to know that he has not been sexually assaulted. I think you saved him from that fate.”

You could scrape me off of the floor I am so relieved.

“When I raised his shirt to check his lungs.” She pauses her head drops towards the floor.

Bell scoots forward, taking her hands in hers. “Are you okay?” she asks. She is so caring.

Myra takes a deep breath. “He has been whipped with a belt for years. He has wounds as fresh as yesterday. I need you guys to come with me, to show you how to clean the wounds. There are quite a few. I gave him medicine for the pain before we started.”

Bell jumps out of the chair, pacing the room. “Tomorrow you take me to her,” she says in a voice that I have never heard from her before.

“Did he say who whipped him?” I spit out the words.

Myra nods. “His mom and stepdad. He doesn’t even remember when it started.”

Fuck me.

Bell stops pacing and looks at me. “We will do right by him. We will give him the best life. One he deserves.”

Bell

Maverick stands up from his chair and takes my hand in his, squeezing tight, letting me know he’s here with me.

“Let’s go to our boy.”

We walk to his room. Ronny is sitting on the bed looking unsure. “Hi sweetheart.” I smile at him and take his hand.

“You’re not mad?” Ronny asks, looking unsure.

I look at him, startled. “What do you mean? Why would I be mad, honey?” I question, catching his tear with my finger.

He looks from me to Maverick. “She said you will have to take care of my back. That won’t make you not want me? Right?” I can hear the slight tremor in his voice.

It destroys my soul.

“No, baby, no. In the morning, if you want to live with us, we are going to sign the papers making you ours forever. If you want that…” Ronny interrupts me, “No, I want to live with you guys.”

Maverick rubs his shoulder. “Then you will be with us forever, even if you’re thirty years old and I’m an old man.” I laugh and Ronny joins in.

Myra makes her way into the room,