The two remained like that for a moment, staring at each other with wide eyes before Lucrezia was quick to snap back to reality and she shoved him unexpectedly, pulling away in a breath.
Maverick stepped back, already anticipating her reaction as she turned around and headed for his bed, immediately pulling the sheets.
He watched as she changed the bedsheets silently into new ones before putting the other things in the room, in order, all while acting like he wasn't standing before her.
His mind went back to what Malviero had said, his jaw clenching at the thought of ever handing her over to another man.
He didn't care if she hated him for getting involved in her father's death. He was aware she was absolutely nothing like the trash of a man she knew as her father and that only made it worse for her. But selling her off to a dipshit like Malviero was never part of the option.
"Where are you going?" He blurted out when he saw her walk towards the door, although that had not been what he intended to say.
Lucrezia stopped in her tracks with the dirty bedsheets in her hands as she turned and blinked at him, not bothering to even answer the question.
The glare she sent his way made Maverick furrow his brows at her, etching his jaw.
"I asked you a question."
Just when she was about to turn the doorknob and walk out, a firm hand grabbed her by the waist, causing the bedsheets to fall off and before she knew it, she was slammed against the wall with a tall figure towering over her.
"Maverick!" She yelled his name in shock, quickly using her hands to put distance between them but he flung her hands away in a heartbeat, pinning her against the wall.
"What do you want?!" She shouted at him, frustration evident in her tone.
Maverick stared at her, his expression controlled but still on the verge of losing it, "You think you can just walk out of me?" His voice dropped, roughened by something he refused to name.
Lucrezia's eyes flashed as she turned her head away, "Let go." She spoke, her face flushing red.
Maverick's jaw hardened on hearing those words, his grip tightening further on her body, not enough to hurt her but enough to make a point.
"You don't get to ignore me in my own house," he said, allowing his words to sink.
A bitter laugh escaped her. "Your house?" She leaned forward despite the wall at her back, chin lifting in defiance. "You dragged me into this prison, away from my home and family and you're surprised I don't ask for permission to breathe?"
Her words struck a chord in his chest, but he didn't falter, still holding her gaze, "You should be glad I'm the one who has kept you in prison."
Lucrezia saw red at his words, her expression darkening, "You killed my father–!"
"I did what had to be done!" She was startled when he suddenly yelled, her eyes already burning with tears, as her body froze; the wall felt colder now.
Maverick slightly released her, realising what he had said, his expression still stoic.
What had to be done? She creased her brows at him, noticing how he now looked away.
"For who?" She asked, feeling his grip loosen on her.
Was it for his empire or his pride? She wanted to ask but he suddenly spoke, "Get out."
Those words slashed through her heart like a sword, her eyes widening at the thought of the Maverick she'd once known, speaking to her in such a bizarre way.
"I would not repeat myself," he raised a brow at her, "Unless you intend to keep me company for the night,"
Lucrezia suddenly bent to pick the unclean sheets she'd held earlier, tears falling freely from her eyes now.
She didn't wait to spare him a glance as she opened the door and shut it hard in his face, walking out of his wing of the mansion.
Maverick remained unmoved by her reaction as he immediately stepped into his bathroom, took a shower and was out within a few minutes, clad in his fresh clothes.
Lucrezia clearly didn't know his motives towards her yet but he was certain she would understand he wasn't the villain when the time came.
An awaited knock came the next second and Maverick answered, already knowing who to expect as he lay on the bed nonchalantly, placing his hands behind his head
Carla walked in enthusiastically, clad in a red nightgown that barely reached down to her lap, exposing her legs all the way.
"I've been waiting for your message, Don." She locked the door as she came in, and her hips swayed seductively; her blonde hair dropped slowly from its bun, like a paid actress, falling seductively to her sides. Her lips were painted red and her face caked up to perfection in a way any sane person would be drawn to it.
Maverick sat upright as she came closer, drinking in her appearance like it was nothing before pulling her into his lap, allowing her straddle him.
"How has your day been?" Carla asked as she caressed his hard muscles all over, bringing her face close to trace kisses down his neck and to his chest.
Maverick had sent for her with hopes that he would finally be able to concentrate since the previous days and live just as he always did but right now, somehow, he didn't feel any urge for this.
Carla wound her arms around him and he did the same, pulling her closer by the waist before slowly taking off her nightgown till she was bare before him.
"I've missed this," she whispered into his ear as she did the same, removing his T-shirt hurriedly before moving to his black pants.
Maverick let her do as she wished while watching her, moving his hands forward to caress her chest, trying to ignite desire within himself but for some reason, he wasn't feeling it today.
Carla, on the other hand, was already flushed with desire as she pressed herself closer, her fingers fisting into the fabric of his shirt. She moved against him deliberately, slowly, as though testing how much control he truly had left.
Her lips trailed along his jaw and down to his neck, planting heated kisses there like a woman staking her claim.
"Maverick…" she breathed against his skin, her voice soft but calculated.
It wasn't their first time. They'd done this over and over again that it didn't appear to be a big deal anymore but something was off with the Don tonight.
Maverick didn't respond.
His hands returned at his sides like he had touched something repulsive and that alone unsettled her.
She tried again—this time dragging her teeth lightly over the sensitive spot beneath his ear, the place that usually earned a reaction. Her hands slid up his chest, over his shoulders, attempting to pull him down to her level.
But Maverick was rigid.
His body was present and completely elsewhere.
Carla stilled slightly, sensing it.
"You're distracted," she murmured, her tone shifting from sultry to sharp.
Maverick's jaw tightened, as he hissed, cursing under his breath while Carla leaned back just enough to look at him properly—and what she saw the next moment made her narrow her eyes.
The Don wasn't even looking at her. He was staring past her at nothing, like he was deep in thought.
Past the room.
Past this moment.
"Is it her?" Carla asked, the sweetness gone now. "The former Don's daughter?"
That did it.
His eyes snapped to hers coldly and dangerously as she felt the shift instantly. The temperature in the room dropped.
"No," he said quietly.
She laughed, though there was no humour in it. "Really? Because I know that look. You've changed towards me since you bought her at that black market." she muttered, her expression hardening.
Her fingers pressed harder into his chest, feeling the urge to pry further, "Who even is she, anyway? Since when did you–"
"Don't." His mouth moved abruptly, stopping her.
Carla halted in her words, feeling his demeanour shift with something she couldn't quite place.
"Don't mistake my silence for leverage," he said, not giving room for any further conversation.
Carla's smile thinned as silence stretched between them, thick and volatile.
For the first time since she served Maverick, he had not only shut her up about some girl he had bought in just a few days but also made it clear that he didn't even want to explain why he was so interested in her.
She pushed herself up immediately, putting her nightgown back on before walking straight out of the room, her face flushed with embarrassment as she rushed past the guards stationed around before heading right for her room.