22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two

Maverick

M averick walked behind one of Rico Castiello's men as he led him through the safe house to where Rico was laid up on the mend after his attack. He'd been picked up from the airport in a Mercedes, which made Maverick want to get one as soon as his income increased. He was looking forward to the future seeing as he had faith that his father knew how to make sure the Lords benefited from their sacrifice. Richie was just the gift that kept on giving with that drug of his, and he hoped the Castiellos would honor their alliance.

The man knocked on a door and when it was opened, he gestured for Maverick to go inside. He had his duffle bag thrown over one shoulder, which was all he packed before leaving Orlando. Once inside the room, the first thing he saw was Rico in bed, an oxygen mask on his face, an IV in his arm, bandages around his stomach as well as his left shoulder, and machines beeping around him .

Damn, he got fucked up, was the first thought that came to Maverick's mind.

"Thank you for coming," said a sultry voice in an Italian accent that made Maverick turn in that direction to see a beautiful black woman with long, black hair flowing down her back. Her curves in the red dress she was wearing made him want to drool. The sway of her hips as she walked to the bed where Rico lay captured his attention. Yeah, she was fucking hot, but completely off-limits because he was pretty sure she was Rico's wife.

Maverick nodded. "My president said you needed backup."

The woman nodded. "My name is Alessia Castiello, Rico's wife."

Yep, I was right and she is so off-limits , Maverick thought. "Nice to meet you."

She nodded and reached over to pat Rico's chest in a soothing manner. "My dear husband, that assassin nearly stole him from me. I want you to find him and kill him. But first, we have the opportunity to end the Torelli family. Those fucking cowards took out some of the people and hurt our businesses, then scattered like rats. However, there is no hole deep enough to hide from us. We know where they are." She looked at Maverick and her gaze became deadly. "I want you to kill them all. Anyone you find at that location. I mean it, leave no one alive."

Well, she was speaking Maverick's language, that was for sure. "I'll need help."

"You'll have it." Alessia nodded her head toward the wall and Maverick looked in that direction.

His mouth dropped open as his hazel gaze settled on the most gorgeous woman he'd ever been lucky enough to breathe the same air with. My god, she was an angel with a devil's smile. The look in her eyes drew Maverick in and held him captive like a snake to its charmer. He was that helpless, that trapped, that willing to be devoured.

The woman arched an eyebrow, her brown eyes drinking in the man before her. She walked over to Maverick, every step hypnotizing Maverick in her seduction. Her heels click-clacking on the tiled floor was the only sound in the room that Maverick could hear. She stood in front of him and ran a finger with a red-polished nail over his Enforcer patch on his cut.

"This means you're a killer, right?" she asked, her Japanese accent the same as Akari's but with way more seduction.

Maverick nodded, then he cleared his throat to reclaim his voice. "Yeah. It means I know how to handle the club's business."

"Good. My brother tells me that you're quite skilled, so I'm expecting you to be able to keep up with me, Maverick," she said, each word sounded like sex from her lips.

Maverick cracked a smile at that. "Oh, I bet I can keep up with you in all kinds of ways."

The woman gave a little coy chuckle at that. "My name is Akane Himura and I'm looking forward to seeing you in action."

So, this was Akari's twin. That meant that she was like his sister, Gina. Maverick knew the story about the twins, how they pretty much switched genders. He'd never been with a trans woman before, but he definitely wanted to slide his cock into Akane. Jesus, she was amazing. Just her aura alone had him wishing they were already in bed getting down and dirty. No woman he'd ever met made him feel the way she did. Wow!

The door opened and everyone except Rico, who was still sleeping, turned to see Akari enter. The man stopped when he noticed Maverick and he gave a nod in greeting. "Good to see you made it safely," Akari said .

Maverick nodded. "Good to see you too. So, are you coming with us?"

Akari shook his head. "I'll be staying here to protect our boss."

Yes, Maverick remembered his father had said as much. If Akane was coming with him on the raid, one of Rico's best bodyguards would have to remain back to watch over him.

Maverick walked over to Akari. "Burger misses you," he said.

Akari smiled. "I miss him too. We spoke earlier today." He placed a hand on Maverick's shoulder. "I'm sorry about Melissa."

Maverick sighed and nodded. "Yeah, that was fucked up. Thanks."

Akari nodded and removed his hand.

"We should get going," Akane said, stepping up to Maverick. "We need to go to the Lords' chapter here and gather more men before we attack. This is a joint mission."

"How many men are you guys bringing into this?" Maverick asked.

"Ten," Akane said. "The location we're going to is rather large. A stronghold of the Torelli family. Once we hit this, we will have eliminated one of our enemies for good."

Maverick nodded. "I'm all for that. Let's go."

"I'll brief you once we get to the Lords' chapter," Akane said, then tossed her long black hair over one shoulder. She led the way and Maverick followed, his eyes on the firm curve of her ass and down the expansive length of her legs. She was almost as tall as him without heels and one inch taller with the heels she was wearing. They got to the underground garage and climbed in the back of another Mercedes. It was their car and two SUVs that pulled out and headed to the Bronx, where the Lords New York Chapter was.

"So, do you have a man?" Maverick asked while the car moved smoothly down the expressway.

Akane looked at him. "Why do you ask? "

Maverick shrugged. "Just wanted to know whose heart I'm going to break once you wrap those sexy long legs around my waist."

Akane rolled her eyes and settled her gaze on Maverick. "Words don't move me, actions do. You want to get to my pussy, prove you're man enough."

Maverick gave her a crooked smile. "Well then, be prepared to open those legs."

Akane's next move was fast and Maverick remained still as the blade of her knife pressed against his throat. "You haven't earned the right to make demands of me."

Maverick's cock was threatening to burst through his pants, it was so hard. The look in Akane's eyes, one that told him she would totally slice his throat as she smiled sent his lust meter into overdrive. Had he been a tea kettle, he'd be whistling.

"Fuck, you're sexy," he said.

Akane blinked, her eyes moving from his to his mouth, then to the blade that pinched his skin. She nicked him and he hissed. She then locked eyes with Maverick as she leaned over, licking the drop of blood that flowed from the wound, making Maverick moan.

She pulled back and smiled before putting her knife away. "Actions, Maverick... then words."

Challenge accepted , Maverick thought.

***

The door to the New York chapter clubhouse opened and Maverick along with Akane and ten of Rico's men entered. They were expected, so the usual security protocols were waved. A lot of the Lords there already knew who Maverick was, if not personally, then by reputation .

Maverick checked out their clubhouse, it looked like a typical bar on the first floor, black lacquer furnishings and leather, some of it ripped here and there. It was a stark difference from the aesthetic of his clubhouse in Orlando. Every LOC chapter clubhouse was different, depending on who was in control when it was built. Theirs was considered posh because Aiyanna had won the lottery and invested in the construction. Still, the place was a home away from home.

Maverick shook the hands of several members, some with bandages or bruises from their encounters with their enemy. The fight had been a tough one, he could tell. Steven "Striker" Jeffries stepped up to them. He was basically a younger version of his father, Al. Dark mahogany skin, light brown eyes, hair cut in a fade with waves on top, and a body that proved he spent a lot of time in the gym. He was thirty-three and the top enforcer for the New York LoC. To Maverick, that meant he was the deadliest man in their chapter.

"Hey man, good to see you," Striker said, giving Maverick a hug and the club's handshake.

Maverick nodded. "Same. How's Al and Pepe doing?" he asked.

Striker sighed heavily. "Dad and Pepe are doing fine. It's a good thing both of them were wearing vests. Even still, fucking gun that was used packed a punch. Blew Pete's brains out all over the fucking place. It also broke a few of Dad's and Pepe's ribs. That's why they're on the mend upstairs."

"Shit," Maverick hissed. "These motherfuckers need to die."

"Hell yeah. I'm ready to punish these sons of bitches," Striker said. "We've taken some serious hits since all this shit kicked off."

"How many dead?"

"Too many. We're going to have to do some major recruiting once this is over. Who's left is what you see here," Striker said .

Maverick looked around again and did a mental head check. The New York chapter had fifty members before and now it looked to be twenty-seven left including two prospects. "Fuck," he whispered, because that was a problem. For a chapter to lose half of its members was cause for serious concern.

"Tell me about it," Striker said. "We have two members upstairs on guard duty."

Maverick nodded. "To watch over your dad and Pepe?"

"Yep. We had to call in reinforcements from Vegas and L.A.," Striker said.

Maverick nodded. "Good. When are they coming?"

"They'll be here tomorrow," Striker said.

"How many?"

"Five from each chapter."

"Shit, if Vegas is sending Jesse, you'll really be in good hands," Maverick said, knowing that Jesse was a lot like him.

Striker cocked both brows. "That crazy fucker, hell yeah."

The two men laughed at that before Maverick spoke. "Can I pay my respect to your pres and SA?" Maverick asked.

Striker nodded. "Sure." He looked past Maverick to the Castiello crew that had accompanied him. "Five of us will be going with you."

Akane nodded. "Your president informed us. Are your men ready?" she asked.

Maverick could float on the sexy cadence of her voice, it was that soothing to him.

Striker nodded. "A Lord was born ready."

Akane smirked. "Your crew has proven such. But one in particular..." She set her gaze on Maverick. "I'm waiting to see results."

That's right, she liked actions first, then words , Maverick remembered .

Striker caught the transaction between Akane and Maverick and smirked. If the stories he'd heard about Maverick were true, this was about to be a slaughter. He snorted, then slapped Maverick's bicep. "Follow me."

Maverick walked behind Striker as he led him to the upstairs apartment that was guarded by two Lords. The men nodded at Maverick and exchanged handshakes before he walked in with Striker, who led him to the first bedroom and opened the door. The President of the New York Lords of Chaos chapter, Al, was lying in bed, his wife, Keisha, at his side with her hand under the blanket. She pulled her hand free and adjusted the blanket. Maverick knew what they were doing. He lowered his head, smiling with a bit of a chuckle.

"Jesus, aren't you supposed to be on the mend, Dad?" Striker asked.

"Ain't you ever heard of sexual healing, boy?" Al said, winking at his son. He sat up and both Striker and his wife helped him and repositioned his pillows to make him more comfortable. He looked at Maverick. "Damn, Maverick, it's been a while. You're all grown up now."

Maverick laughed and nodded. "Yeah, it's been almost ten years, right? Since the last reunion." He walked closer and gave the man a light hug and handshake. He also kissed his wife, Keisha, on the cheek and gave her a warm hug.

"You're handsome like your dad," Keisha said.

"His mom ain't slacking either," Al said to Keisha's playful roll of her eyes.

Maverick gave them one of his charming smiles. "Thanks."

Al nodded. "You look good. You were like fifteen back then, right?"

"Yeah. I'm twenty-six now. Got five kids and shit. Keeping busy," Maverick said .

"Good God, man. Five. What? One for every year after you were legal enough to drink yourself stupid?" Al asked.

Maverick threw his head back, laughing at that. "Three different baby mommas," he said, then he thought about Melissa and his humor faded. "Unfortunately, one of my babies' momma is out of the picture, so I'm raising my youngest on my own. Twin boys."

Al nodded. "Well, let's take out these assholes and get you back home to your family," he said. He didn't bother to ask Maverick more about the missing mom... her being "out of the picture" was all the explanation he needed.

"I hope your ass isn't going anywhere with those broken ribs," Maverick said, pointing at the man's chest.

Al sneered and his wife shook her head. "No, he's staying right here," Keisha said.

"That fucking bullet broke two of my ribs and bruised the hell out of my sternum. Pepe's just as fucked up as I am. We couldn't join you even if we wanted to," Al said.

"So, they have a very skilled sniper?" Maverick asked.

"With all five Families after us, it's hard to tell where the attacks are coming from. But we suspect it was the Jade Dragon Triad that tried to take us out. None of those other families seemed to have anyone on that level," Al said.

Maverick pursed his lips and nodded. "That's probably why Rico and you all were handling them and why the other two families were reluctant to join in until the Triad joined the fight."

Al nodded. "Yeah, that's what we think too. The Triad has the heavy hitters. Watch out for them."

Maverick didn't need to be told to be cautious. In any case, a fight was what he wanted. He couldn't wait to go on his killing spree. "Don't worry, we're about to thin the herd today. "

"Show no mercy," Al said, using their club's slogan... well, one of them.

"And you know it." Maverick shook the man's hand again, then visited The Sergeant-at-Arms, Pierre "Pepe" Lanier, who was also laid up in bed and watching TV. The man smiled when he saw Maverick.

"Ah, good to see you, Maverick," Pepe said with a fading French accent.

"Wish we were seeing each other under better circumstances," Maverick said as he hugged Pepe. The SA had a long gray and black beard, a crew cut, and sharp blue eyes. He'd been a member of the club for thirty years—a lifer.

The two men exchanged memories and camaraderie briefly before Maverick said his goodbye.

"Stay safe out there," Pepe said. Maverick gave him a thumbs-up before he left.

***

Maverick looked over the guns that were spread out over the pool table and picked the M4A1 SOCOM and several magazines for it. He always had his favorite handguns and knives, but this beauty would allow him to really have fun. After every Lord was strapped up, they climbed into a black van. Maverick climbed back into the car with Akane because he wanted to be in her presence.

He looked at her long legs clad in black leather and wondered if they'd look as good bare. His eyes moved up more until he was looking at her side profile. "You and Akari do look a lot alike."

"We are twins, after all," Akane said.

Okay, yeah, that was a stupid thing to say, Maverick admitted to himself. For some reason, he was nervous around her. Didn't know what to say, especially since the usual conversation he'd have with women wasn't going to work with her. He decided to stay quiet and prove just how much of a man he was with his actions.