Loving You All Over Again (Aurora and Maverick)

Maverick paused, his earlier words about keeping things formal echoing in his mind as he studied the woman in his arms

Her blouse dress chung softly, and those jewel-bright eyes that usually sparkled like stars now held something more dangerous in their depths.

nowh

His grip tightened unconsciously, drawing a small gasp from her. The sound snapped his control. "Get out," he snarled, self-loathing evident in his voice. Before she could respond, he pushed her away roughly

Face burning with embarrassment and anger. Aurora retreated without argument.

The bathroom door slammed behind her, and inside, Maverick's fist met the wall in frustration.

His bandaged torso bore the evidence of her rescue, each wound a medal of honor. The bullet lodged near his heart seemed to pulse with his pain.

Abandoning any attempt to clean up. he pulled on a robe and stepped out to find

her gone.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand, Howard's urgent voice coming through. "Mr. Parker, Scott has disappeared"

"You lost him" Maverick's voice turned arctic.

We never expected "Howard stammered.

Scott's ability to slip away right under their noses was truly impressive. Maverick closed his eyes as memories of his past life flooded back-all the Farm, Scott had done to Aurora and the Parker family.

Achill ran through him as he pieced it together. Scott must have shed his bodyguard identity by now. If his suspicions were correct, the Watson family had reclaimed their heir.

"Go check what the Watsons are up to. They're the biggest players in Aresnorth," he ordered. This time around, he wouldn't give anyone a chance to challenge him

The next morning, Aurora rose early, anxiety about Maverick's condition driving her from bed. She found only empty rooms-He'd already left for

the Parker Manor

The butler approached with careful deference. “Miss

Sage, we're to escort you home.noveldrama

Her heart sank as yesterday's conversation replayed in her mind. The Parker family's opposition to their marriage would make his confrontation with them difficul

heart belonged to him alone in

Though worried, she wouldn't complicate things further. Whether or not she officially joined the Parker family,

ily, her he this life.

"Okay,” she agreed quietly. "It's time I went home."

At the imposing Parker Manor, Ruth Parker, still radiating elegance despite her years, rushed to embrace her son. "Finally coming home, you impossible boy! I've been sick with worry. Let me see how badly you're hurt"

Maverick's father, Isaac Parker, stood nearby, concern evident beneath his stern expression.

"It's nothing" Maverick murmured, memories of how it

this perfect family had shattered in his past life after Scott's revelation as his half-brother making his chen tight. This time would be different.

His gaze lingered on his father for a moment longer. Despite his father's mistakes, he'd be damned if he let their family fall apart again in this life. Seeing how close his parents were now, he was even more determined to keep Scott away.

Ruth pulled him to the sofa, her grip anxious. "If it's nothing, why stay away! That Sage girl, what's so special about her! Why are you so set on her!"

Ruth's face darkened at the mention of Aurora. That girl with her ruined reputation was never good enough for her son.

Maverick calmly pulled his hand away, "Moon, we are engaged."

"So what? Wasn't she the one crying and begging to break it off? Well, she got what she wanted. Oh, but now that her reputation's in tatters, suddenly she comes crawling back to you! Dors she think she can just pick up where she left off? Not happening!" Ruth snapped

She was getting

gworked up. She wanted her son to find real love, not throw his life away on a

woman.

On her phone, she scrolled through a collection of girls' photos. "Look at these. Mrs. Coleson's daughter, only eighteen but so lovely. And Mrs. Everleigh's girl, barely two years younger than you, the perfect Lady. Take your pick. Any of them would suit you better than Aurora"

only want Aurora," he stated with quiet finality. "She'll be my bride next week." Isaac's face darkened immediately, and his fist crashed onto the table. "You'll destroy everything we've built!"

"I took a bullet saving her life" Maverick touched his chest meaningfully. "Without her, I could die any moment."

"What? Maverick, what are you talking about? A bullet?" Ruth's face drained of color, her usual poise crumbling as she reached out to check his wounds, desperate to make sure he was alright.

Maverick caught her trembling hands. "Mom, just let me marry her. I promise to stay alive

Ruth's tears fell freely as she rounded on Howard. Explain this. Now."

"There was indeed a bullet lodged inside him. The bullet's position makes removal too risky, even for top surgeons, Howard admitted carefully.

"My foolish boy, Ruth sobbed.

"I swear I'll be fine, Maverick assured her. Just let me have this."

"Finc, anything. Just stay well!" Ruth relented.

Isaac's face darkened with determination. "Get his medical team here now. I want

a full consultation.

His son represented everything-the family's pride and their future. Nothing could happen to him. Nothing at all.