Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

The front gate sends an alert through the house, letting us know Myra is here. It’s nine o’clock at night but I really want to get Anna checked out.

Anna jumps up scared, running straight to Maverick. “What is that?”

“That’s the front gate, sweetheart.” Maverick stands with her in his arms like she’s a small child, walking to the iPad on the wall that shows Myra and Ryan on camera.

“She’s a doctor, honey. We want to make sure you’re healthy, that’s all.” I try to reassure her, but I can still see the slight panic on her face.

“She’s not going to take me away?” Her bottom lip trembles as she tries to hold back her tears.

I shake my head. “No, honey, just a doctor visit.” I take her hand and hold it.

“She’s my doctor too, Anna,” Ronny pipes in and moves to stand beside me. “Thank you, honey,” I tell him, for trying to help her.

Maverick opens the door, still holding Anna. “Hi Myra, come on in,” I welcome them in, my eyes drifting back to Anna to make sure she is okay.

She just met us a few hours ago. I cannot imagine how scared she is, how confused she is. Her whole entire life in a span of one day is completely turned upside down.

Myra smiles at her. “Hi sweetheart. My name is Myra. It’s nice to meet you.”

Anna turns her head into Maverick’s neck. I rub her back, wishing I could take this from her.

We walk to the couch. Maverick sits down and Anna crawls into his lap, holding onto him for dear life.

“No one is going to take you from me, I promise,” Maverick swears. She clutches onto his shit, so Myra decides to work around her.

She does the basic exam. “Alright, honey, I am going to take some blood from you. I’m going to numb you so won’t even feel it.” Anna tucks her face back into Maverick’s neck and just nods.

I know this is killing him, his jaw is clenched so hard.

Myra takes the blood fast and easy. Anna doesn’t even move. “I think we need to get in touch with Braelyn,” Myra whispers to me, and I nod in agreement.

Ronny went to therapy and he still goes once a week. Ronny adjusted quite well because he knew me weeks prior to all of this, but for Anna this is so different.

It’s also so hard to see her struggling and in pain. The anxiety is just rolling off of her

I shut the door behind Myra and Ryan, waiting until they are out of the gate before I arm it again.

“They’re gone, sweetheart.” Ronny is hovering, unsure what to do, and I feel the same way.

Right now Maverick is giving her comfort and that’s what’s important. Anna looks up and around the room. “She didn’t make me leave.” She sighs and rubs her eyes.

“No one is going to take you away from us. I promise that with every fiber of my being.” Maverick pushes a stray hair out of her face.

“Me too,” Ronny pipes in.

“Me too, honey, we mean it.” I rub her hand and she nods her little head. “I think it’s time for bed.” Maverick stands with her, and Ronny and I follow them upstairs. “Go brush your teeth, honey.”

Ronny goes into his bathroom. I turn on his diffuser that helps him sleep. I need to get Anna one for her room.

Ronny comes out. I grab one of his books that he reads to me out loud. I climb in bed beside him, and he cuddles up into my side.

“Will Anna be okay?” he asks in his sweet voice.

I run my hand down the back of his head. “I think it will just take time, baby. You knew us and I know it was hard for you in the beginning,” I answer honestly.

“Her mom and dad were mean to her too?” he asks sadly.

I sigh. “They were my parents too, honey. They were mean to me, so I don't think they changed their ways.”

He hugs me a little tighter. “Thank you for being my mom.”

The tears can’t even be controlled at this point. “Thank you for being the most amazing kid. I love you so much.” I kiss his forehead.

He has been taught that there are bad people in this world from a very young age, but he has accepted it gracefully—not without scars, but I am in awe of how strong he is.

He yawns. “Goodnight, honey,” I whisper. I kiss his cheek and tuck him in.

I leave the door cracked and peek inside of Anna’s room. She’s curled up in her bed with Maverick, who is reading her a book. “Mind if I join?” I ask.

Anna lifts her hand, waving me over. I crawl onto the bed on the other side of her.

I hold her hand and we both listen to Maverick reading her the story of Snow White.

Little by little, her eyes drift closed. I slowly get out of bed and turn off the light, leaving just the bathroom light on for her to see and making sure her door is ajar.

“I am so exhausted.” I change into a pair of sleep shorts and Maverick’s shirt, moaning as I collapse into bed. “What a fucking day.” I tear my hair out from its bun and pull the blanket under my neck.

Maverick rubs my back under my shirt. “I have to go. Sleep and I’ll be back in a bit. I’ll arm the whole house until I’m back and a prospect will be at the gate.”

I lean up, eyes closed, my lips pooched out. “Goodnight.”

He chuckles. “Sleep good, darlin’.”

He turns off the light, pulling the door closed and I’m out.

13 Maverick

The clubhouse is only a few short minutes away, but it feels like an eternity. the longer I’m around Anna, the more I grow to hate that fucker Michael.

Entering the torture room, as I like to call it, I am rewarded with the sweet