Odessa POV

“What about him, Odessa?” Maverick asked.

The muscles in my throat thickened and threatened to choke me.

Maverick’s warm palm on my thigh eased me. His touch went straight to my soul.

“He was Mom’s boyfriend. They were together for three weeks. I don’t want you to see her differently.”

“Everyone knows your mother’s reputation, Odessa. I won’t say anything else.”

Tears filled my eyes. This had to happen anyway.

“I could tell from the start that he was ...