Rook & Rebel (The Mavericks, #1)

by Kate Crew

The city lights blurred as I gunned the throttle, the roar of my bike drowning out the chaos in my mind. I was going to kill them—all of them—for dumping these damn jobs on me tonight.

The men you’d pass on the street and wave were the ones who turned out to do disgusting and illegal things at night.

“Aww, poor Aiden is mad. He had to come save me from a bad date, and didn’t get laid for it.”

“Well, that’s sure as fuck long enough not to leave you alone with the man trying to rob him.

“I mean, more outraged for you, but yeah, he’s a pretty pathetic boyfriend. He should be here with his fucking fists raised.”

“Hold on. Let’s get this straight. I was robbing him. I wasn’t coming for you.” “No? You had a gun pointed at me!” “Mainly, I had a gun pointed at him. I only turned it to you for a second. For the shock factor. Your boyfriend owes me money, and I had been the one volunteered to come get it.”

“Come on, I’m driving you home. Unlike your boyfriend, I’m not leaving you here on a deserted street, at night, all

“Considering you didn’t even flinch when I pulled up with a gun, I don’t doubt it. I thought you were the one who would fight me.”

“You have me shaking in fear. Now get on the bike,” he said,

“Then congratulations, you’re about to be a rebel for what I can only imagine is the first time in your life.”

so good for you for keeping an eye on your purse. But I’m not the one who wants it.”

You’re kind of an asshole, aren’t you?” He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing. “We met with a gun in your face. Do I look like a sweet, innocent boy to you?”

“I’ve just never had a girl say that as she got on top of me before.”

“Well, guess what, Rook? We are already here, so I’m going to walk around the corner, and get a cookie. You can either sit there and wait like a good little mugger, leave me here, or come with me, but I’ve had a really shitty night and I want a fucking cookie,” she said, nearly in tears.

“I tried to rob her boyfriend. You can keep all the extra cash if you don’t call the police.”

“Of course I fucking took her. You left a hot woman on a dangerous road with a guy who hates your guts and has a gun.”

“Your fault, asshole. Don’t leave prized possessions with people you owe money. Bring the cash to the shop and I’ll get her home safe.”

“Is there blood on them, too?” “I’m not an animal. I did wash my hands.” “But not your face?”

“So if you catch me, I either have to give you my name or be kidnapped?” She tried not to meet my eyes. I trailed a gloved hand down her face before grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at me again.

Now, I needed to see her for who she was, the daughter of the devil.

“Because I know what the fuck is going on around here and you don’t. Back to the computer, psycho. We need those files you’re digging around for.”

Regan Fletcher would be my ticket to bringing down the man who had ruined my life, and I wasn’t going to waste it.

Stalking a girl who preferred to lie in bed watching movies, reading, and ordering endless takeout was boring. It had been four days, and she had only left the house twice.

“How sad. I would love to see you stake your claim. What are you doing here?”

“He wrecks his bike once a fucking week. He is trying to kill you more than I ever did.”

A wicked grin came over him as he glanced back at Jake, and I realized how badly I had messed up.

I had to find a way to show her I wasn’t just a monster—that there was more to me than the violence. At least enough to not put up a fight at me coming back around.

Was he truly a monster, or had someone turned him into one?

“A house fire. My parents died, my sister was young. I went to her room to get her and didn’t have as much luck getting out.”

“And you want to be fucked by a monster? You want my ruined body on yours? You want my hands on you when, ten minutes ago, you were scared of them?”

“Keep watching. Watch how much you love to get off on the tongue of a monster.” “Stop,” I breathed. “Stop calling yourself that.” “Why? You just did.” “I take it back.”

“Touch my bike and I touch you.”

I listened, pulling out a new wrench. My eyes went wide as he stepped up next to me. “You want me to use this?”

“Mess? That’s a goddamn work of art. My bike won’t be cleaned ever again.”

“Isn’t it funny how we always build up interactions in our mind? We think they are good, maybe great even. Until you have the really amazing thing, though, it’s hard to make an accurate comparison. Then, once you have the amazing thing, it would be impossible to go back and think that first thing was even okay, let alone great.”

“I think my humor is a coping mechanism,” I said. “So if I start laughing when I cut off body parts, does that count as therapy?”

“Thanks for stalking me. I never realized how fun it could be to be on the receiving end. I’ll talk to you later.”

I kept quiet, taking in the words that were exactly the opposite of what Rook told me. To him, the secrets were power. To my dad, they were ruination.

I need a cut throat daughter who understands the world isn’t perfect and beautiful. Do you understand?”

“Aww. We’re just star-crossed lovers. Will this turn into a street fight, or are you and I going to kill each other at the end in the name of true love?”

“Not quite fear, Mr. Serial Killer, but more like…respect me.”

Could Regan actually be loyal to me over her own father?

“I change my mind. Please go on your date. Stalking you, killing him, tattooing my name on you. It sounds like my dream date.” “I’m going with you!”

“I thought I was the monster? Who else would come grab you besides me?”

She was mine, and there was no chance I wouldn’t catch her. I would always catch her.

“We heard screaming, but weren’t sure if it was you two, someone getting murdered, or the haunted freaks hanging out here.”

“Great,” I mumbled, ready to curl into Rook. “Now your friends are going to be giving me comments all night.” “Tell him to shut the fuck up,” Rook said, a smile on his face as he wrapped his arms around me. “What? No. He’s your friend. You do it.” “I would if you needed me to, but you really don’t need me to. Tell him to shut the fuck up or you’re going to make me hit him. You’re in charge, Rebel. Tell him now. Say it like you mean every word and then some.”

I faced Mason, trying to not let my voice shake. “Shut the hell up, Mason.” Mason’s eyes narrowed, looking me over. “Or what?” “Or I’m going to tell Rook how upset it makes me until he comes over there and makes you regret even opening your mouth.”

Mason stared a moment longer before his face broke into a wide smile. “You show up and immediately have a fucking guard dog. Not fair,” he said, but sat back, still smiling. “A guard dog?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at Rook. “Woof,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. “And that’s it? I say the word and you hit him?” “Pretty much.” “But he’s your friend?” “No friend of mine is going to disrespect you and there be no consequences. Mason is joking, so that should shut it down, but I promise, if you felt it was serious, he and I would have an issue.” “And he would hit you if the tables were turned?” “I would imagine.”

“Not at all,” I said. “I’m apparently sleeping with the monsters now. What do I have to be scared of?”