Chapter 62 62
Blair adjusted Maverick higher on her hip and turned away from the gates.
Maverick stirred, his cheek warm against her neck.
“Mommy… are we going on the plane?” he mumbled sleepily.
Her throat tightened.
“Not today, baby,” she whispered, forcing a smile he couldn’t see. “We’re… going home first.”
She walked faster, weaving through the confused crowd, keeping her head down.
Think, Blair. Think.
Her mind raced, heart pounding.
I have to leave the city.
Her grip tightened protectively around Maverick.
I don’t care what happens to me, she thought fiercely.
But I will not risk my son’s life for my own selfish reasons.
If disappearing meant lying low, changing routes, burning bridges—so be it.
Blair got them home just as the sky began to pale with early morning light.
She locked the door.
Then checked it again.
And again.
Only when her hands finally stopped shaking did she carry Maverick into the bedroom.
He was half-asleep, lashes resting against his cheeks, trusting her completely.
Her chest ached.
She laid him gently on the bed, tugged the blanket up to his chin, and brushed a kiss into his hair.
“Sleep, my love,” she whispered. “Mommy’s right here.”
Maverick shifted once, murmured something unintelligible, then went still.
Blair stood there for a long second, watching his chest rise and fall.
Then she turned.
The moment she stepped into the living room, the dam broke.
She started pacing.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Bare feet against the cold tiles. Hands twisting together. Breath coming too fast.
Her eyes darted to the windows. She pulled the curtains closed. Checked the peephole. The locks. The back door.
Still, her heart wouldn’t slow.
She dragged her hands through her hair.
“I can’t stay here,” she whispered to the empty room. “I can’t.”
She stopped in the middle of the living room, pressing a hand to her mouth as tears burned her eyes.
Her gaze flicked toward the bedroom door.
Maverick.
Her chest tightened painfully.
“No,” she said aloud, voice firm despite the tremble. “I won’t let them touch you.”
Blair stopped pacing.
Her chest rose and fell as she pressed both palms to the wall, head bowed.
And then… the voices came.
Just go to him, Blair.
Her mind spoke softly.
Tell him the truth.
He’s rich,powerful and untouchable.
He’ll protect Maverick. Give him the best life—schools, security, a future you could never afford.
Her throat tightened.
You wouldn’t have to run anymore.
Maverick would have a father.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
Then another memory slammed into her thoughts
That night.
His back turned as security dragged her out.
Get her out.
I don’t want to see her.
He hadn’t even looked at her.
Not once.
Blair’s breath stopped.
Her mind turned cruel.
Remember how small you felt?
How disposable?
She shook her head violently.
“No,” she whispered.
Another thought crept in, quietly.
I know he’s searching…
But he’s searching for a child.
Not for you.
Tears spilled freely now.
I’m probably not his type anymore, she thought bitterly.
I’m tired. Broke and scared.
And he looks happy with Olivia.
Her hands slid down the wall as she sank to the floor.
“I won’t do it,” she said hoarsely. “I won’t beg.”
She hugged her knees to her chest, shaking.
If he wants Maverick, she thought, heart breaking,
he can come for him.
“But I won’t hand myself over,” she whispered.
Blair wiped her face roughly and looked toward the bedroom again.
Blair didn’t remember lying down.
One moment she was on the living room floor, knees hugged to her chest—
the next, pale morning light was spilling through the edges of the curtains.
She jolted awake.
“God—”
Her neck ached. Her eyes burned. Panic surged instantly as she scrambled to her feet and rushed into the bedroom.
“Mave?”
He was still asleep.
Relief hit her so hard her knees nearly buckled.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, brushing his hair back. “Mommy’s here.”
She checked the time.
Late.
Her heart jumped.
“Time for work,” she muttered, already moving.
Everything became rushed, automatic.
She dressed Maverick quickly, fingers fumbling with buttons, shoes going on the wrong feet before she fixed them. She tied her hair back, grabbed her bag, checked the door twice.
No time to think. Thinking hurt.
“Maverick,” she said gently, crouching to his level, “we’re going to be extra good today, okay?”
He nodded sleepily.
They stepped outside.
The city looked normal.
Cars passed. Neighbors chatted. A vendor yelled about fresh bread down the street.
Blair took Maverick’s hand and started walking.
She didn’t see him.
But two steps behind them, a man in a dark jacket matched her pace effortlessly, phone hidden at his side.
He raised it slightly, snapping a quick photo of Blair and Maverick disappearing down the street.
Then he spoke quietly into his mic.
“Boss,” he said.
“She’s still in the city.”
The man’s gaze sharpened.
“Yes,” he added.
“I’ll keep eyes on her.”
Blair burst through the café doors,
“Sorry—sorry,” she murmured to the head staff as she grabbed the tray with Lucas Brooks’ coffee already prepared. “I’ll take it.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall.
Three minutes late.
Her stomach twisted.
She adjusted the lid, steadied her hands, and walked quickly toward the executive floor, heels tapping too loudly in her ears.
Three minutes, she thought.
Please don’t notice.
The elevator doors slid open.
She walked straight to his office, lifted her hand, and knocked once.
No answer.
She swallowed and pushed the door open carefully.
Lucas sat down, phone already at his ear.
“Yes,” he said curtly, eyes still on the glass wall as the city stretched beyond it. “Send the revised figures to my email. I want them before noon.”
He lifted two fingers without looking at her.
Blair understood immediately.
She stepped forward and gently placed the coffee on the table beside him.
“I’ll take my leave, sir,” she said softly, already turning—
—but a thin folder slipped from under her arm.
Tap.
It slid across the polished floor and disappeared beneath the table.
Her heart jumped.
“I—I’m sorry,” Blair said quickly, dropping to her knees. “Let me just—”
Lucas barely noticed at first, still talking.
“Yes. No delays,” he said into the phone.
Blair bent lower, the carpet brushing her palms as she searched blindly.
Where did it—
There.
She spotted the edge of the file near the table leg, right between his shoes.
She reached for it, fingers closing around the corner—
—and was just about to straighten when the office door opened.
“Lucas, sweetheart—”
Olivia’s voice.
Blair froze.
At the same second, Lucas looked up—and saw Blair’s head right beneath him.
His heart slammed.
Without thinking, he moved.
His hand shot out, firm but careful, pressing against the back of Blair’s head—guiding her down.
Now.
Blair’s breath caught as her forehead bumped lightly against his knee, her body instinctively shrinking back under the table.
Her eyes
widened in shock.
What—
Lucas leaned back in his chair, composure snapping into place just as Olivia stepped fully inside.
“Yes, Liv?” he said evenly, phone still at his ear as if nothing was wrong.
Blair stayed frozen beneath the table, her cheek inches from his leg, pulse roaring in her ears.